Technical and Training Related Aspects of Resistance Training Using Blood Flow Restriction in Competitive Sport - A Review

Abstract

Blood flow restriction (BFR) combined with resistance training (RT-BFR) shows significant benefits in terms of muscle strength and hypertrophy. Such effects have been observed in clinical populations, in groups of physically active people, and among competitive athletes. These effects are comparable or, in some cases, even more efficient compared to conventional resistance training (CRT). RT-BFR stimulates muscle hypertrophy and improves muscle strength even at low external loads. Since no extensive scientific research has been done in relation to groups of athletes, the aim of the present study was to identify technical, physiological and methodological aspects related to the use of RT-BFR in competitive athletes from various sport disciplines. RT-BFR in groups of athletes has an effect not only on the improvement of muscle strength or muscle hypertrophy, but also on specific motor abilities related to a particular sport discipline. The literature review reveals that most experts do not recommend the use RT-BFR as the only training method, but rather as a complementary method to CRT. It is likely that optimal muscle adaptive changes can be induced by a combination of CRT and RT-BFR. Some research has confirmed benefits of using CRT followed by RT-BFR during a training session. The use of BFR in training also requires adequate progression or modifications in the duration of occlusion in a training session, the ratio of exercises performed with BFR to conventional exercises, the value of pressure or the cuff width.

The Acute Impact of External Compression on Back Squat Performance in Competitive Athletes

“…However, the additional pressure of compression increased to 150% AOP was sufficient to induce an increase in performance during the SQ. Therefore, the result of the present study as well as the study by Wilk et al [14] confirm that the potential effect of external compression on acute changes in power variables may be related to limb circumference and the pressure of the cuff [3,32,48,49]. Furthermore, the effect of the surface on which the compression is applied may depend not only on cuff width but also on the length of the occluded limb.…”

“…External compression causing blood flow restriction is a modern training tool used during resistance exercises [1][2][3]. The amount of external compression used for blood flow restriction is adjusted based on the individual value of arterial occlusion pressure (% AOP) [4].…”

Walking With Leg Blood Flow Restriction: Wide-Rigid Cuffs vs. Narrow-Elastic Bands

“…Although several researchers have found evidence of an attenuation of hypertension after a BFR training program (Cezar et al, 2016;Pinto and Polito, 2016;Shimizu et al, 2016;Vanwye et al, 2017), more investigation into the precise mechanism as well as the use of a variety of training protocols is necessary. There is a spectrum of BFR equipment that can elicit the desired stimulus at various pressures and intensities (Wilk et al, 2018), so individually determining the optimal type of equipment and exercise protocols could provide opportunities for a wide range of the population to use BFR.…”

Maximizing Muscle Hypertrophy: A Systematic Review of Advanced Resistance Training Techniques and Methods

“…Another RT method that allows for the avoidance of high mechanical stress associated with high-load RT and the high training volumes required when exercising with low-loads to volitional fatigue is to combine RT under blood flow restriction (BFR) [34,66,67]. The BFR method involves the application of a restrictive device (a tourniquet, an inflatable cuff, or elastic wraps) on the proximal part of the limb to reduce the arterial blood flow and to occlude the venous return [67]. Such an intervention results in an accumulation of metabolic products distal to the restriction and when coupled with RT, drastically increases metabolic stress.…”