a Blood Flow Restriction Training: a Fact Check on Scientific Rationale, Current Evidence and Trends in Clinical Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation

Abstract

Muscle weakness is exceedingly prevalent among the most musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions worldwide. The ramification of injury related and progressive loss of muscle strength can be life changing. Factually, heavy exercise loads of approximately 70% of an individual’s one repetition maximum (1RM) have been adjudged necessary to elicit muscle hypertrophy and strength gains. Blood flow restriction (BFR) is a training method partially restricting arterial inflow and fully restricting venous outflow of blood in working musculature during low intensity exercise, so as to bring a desired effect of high intensity training. Low intensity BFR training is a novel technique aims to reproduce the effects of a high intensity training and is desirably applicable to the individuals who cannot perform high intensity training during the phase of rehabilitation. This would be really beneficial to the group of people who cannot perform high intensity strengthening as a result of joint and muscular issues which limits them from high joint forces and mechanical stress associated with heavy load exercise. There is a need for the evolution of an individualized approach to training recommendation to minimize patient risk and increase effectiveness. Effective implementation of BFR training depends on various factors such as age, gender, physical inactivity, occlusion pressure, and limb circumference. Research has demonstrated effective attenuation of muscle atrophy and muscle strength using an occlusion protocol even at a low pressure of 50 mmHg, suggesting that BFR intrinsically is effective at minimizing atrophy. Future research should embrace an individualized and evidence based progressive approach to facilitate the effectiveness and safety of BFR training.