Effects of Blood Flow Restriction Training on Aerobic Capacity and Performance: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Bennett, H and Slattery, F. Effects of blood flow restriction training on aerobic capacity and performance: A systematic review. J Strength Cond Res 33(2): 572-583, 2019-Blood flow restriction (BFR) is a novel training method that can elicit training adaptations at low training intensities. Recent research has aimed to determine the effect of aerobic exercise with BFR on aerobic fitness and performance, with conflicting results. This review aimed to systematically identify and assess studies that have combined BFR with aerobic exercise in humans, establishing its effect on aerobic fitness and performance. Five databases (Medline, Web of Science, SPORTDiscus, CINHAL, and ScienceDirect) were searched. Two authors independently conducted all searches and reviewed all abstracts, determining article suitability. The Quality Assessment Tool for Quantitative Studies was used to assess risk of bias in each study. Fourteen studies were included for analysis. Blood flow restriction aerobic exercise increased measures of aerobic fitness and performance in younger adults when using occlusion pressures ≥130 mm Hg. In older adults, measures of aerobic performance improved; however, measures of aerobic fitness remained unchanged. These findings must be interpreted with caution because methodological limitations were present in all trials. Short-term BFR aerobic exercise seems to offer a valid method of improving aerobic performance and fitness in healthy adults when using occlusion pressures ≥130 mm Hg. Conversely, it seems to strictly enhance aerobic performance in older adults without impacting aerobic fitness, potentially suggesting different mechanisms of adaptation between older and younger individuals. Despite methodological limitations, BFR aerobic exercise seems to have applications in scenarios where high-intensity aerobic exercise is not appropriate, although more high-quality research is needed to further demonstrate this.