The role of blood flow restriction training for applied practitioners: A questionnaire-based survey

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to investigate the current use of blood flow restriction (BFR) by practitioners during exercise/training. A questionnaire was developed and data were obtained from 250 participants, with 115 stating that they had prescribed BFR as an intervention. The most common exercise intervention used in combination with BFR was resistance exercise (99/115), followed by during passive (30/115) conditions, and during aerobic exercise (22/115). The main outcome measure for using the technique was to increase muscle mass (32.6%) followed by rehabilitation from injury (24.2%). Over half of respondents (57.4%) reported that they did not use the same cuff widths for the lower body and upper body, with varying final restriction pressures also being utilised during each different exercise modality. Most practitioners performed the technique for ~10 min each training session, 1-4 times per week. Eighty percent of practitioners rated the use of BFR as very good-excellent. The incidence rate of side effects was largest for delayed onset muscle soreness (39.2%), numbness (18.5%), fainting/dizziness (14.6%) and bruising (13.1%). These results indicate that the use of BFR training is widespread amongst practitioners; however, care should be taken to ensure that practice matches current research to ensure the safety of this technique.

Blood flow restriction training: a novel approach to augment clinical rehabilitation: how to do it

“…Many practitioners are using a range of equipment as well as BFR protocols that do not match usage within published literature 4. The current approaches that focus on applying BFR during exercise consist of automatic pneumatic tourniquet systems or handheld manual blood pressure cuffs, and more recently elastic wraps, at a range of different pressures and durations, particularly in the emerging rehabilitation literature.…”

Interface pressure, perceptual, and mean arterial pressure responses to different blood flow restriction systems

“…Ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) (6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20) 19 and pain (0-10) 19 were measured following each set. Participants received verbal instructions on rating both during the familiarization visit and were reminded on each subsequent visit.…”

“…The distribution of pressure under a tourniquet can result in structural damage to underlying nerves and tissues if exposed to higher shear forces from mechanical compression for prolonged periods of time . Although BFR exercise is typically of short duration (~5‐10 minutes) and thus the risk is likely small (particularly when BFR is individualized to LOP), the risk may be exacerbated during rare reports of prolonged continuous passive BFR application (>30 mins) . Although the safety of BFR training has been reviewed, any changes in interface pressure during BFR both passively and concomitantly with exercise may contribute to the risk of subcutaneous tissue injury.…”

“…8,9 Although BFR exercise is typically of short duration (~5-10 minutes) and thus the risk is likely small (particularly when BFR is individualized to LOP), the risk may be exacerbated during rare reports of prolonged continuous passive BFR application (>30 mins). 10 Although the safety of BFR training has been reviewed, 3 any changes in interface pressure during BFR both passively and concomitantly with exercise may contribute to the risk of subcutaneous tissue injury. It is therefore important to examine the interface pressure during BFR in different BFR systems commonly used, and the influence on physiological responses.…”

Hemodynamic and Pressor Responses to Combination of Yoga and Blood Flow Restriction

“…As such, this exercise modality has important implications for time sensitive physiological improvements in populations who often cannot exercise at high intensity [5]. There has been a growing interest in BFR as an auxiliary or complementary exercise [6], and BFR has been incorporated into a variety of exercise situations including walking, swimming, and yoga [6,7].…”