Key result
Adding blood flow restriction to low-load training increases biceps thickness by ~0.34 cm vs training alone.
Why the study?
Evidence comparing low-load multi-component training with and without blood flow restriction in physically inactive young adults remains limited.
Does adding blood flow restriction to low-load multi-component training improve muscle thickness and functional outcomes in physically inactive young adults?
Population
48 physically inactive university-aged adults
Comparison
Low-load multi-component training with BFR vs without BFR
Design
Single-blind randomized controlled trial
Follow-up
6 weeks
Authors
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Supports BFR with low-load training for greater hypertrophy in inactive adults; extends RCT evidence and leaves open role in HF sarcopenia.
RCT (n=48)
Single-blind
1:1 computer-generated random sequence
No
Does adding blood flow restriction to low-load multi-component training improve muscle thickness and functional outcomes in physically inactive young adults?
Effect estimate: hp2 0.20
Absolute Event Rate: 0.45% vs 0.11%
p-value: p=0.001
Adding blood flow restriction to low-load multi-component training significantly enhances muscle hypertrophy and functional capacity in physically inactive young adults compared to low-load training alone.
Ahmad et al. (2026) conducted an RCT in Physically inactive (n=48). Low-load multi-component training with blood flow restriction vs. Low-load multi-component training without blood flow restriction was evaluated on Increase in right biceps brachii muscle thickness (cm) (hp2 0.20, p=0.001). Adding blood flow restriction to a 6-week low-load training program significantly increased right biceps muscle thickness (+0.45 cm vs +0.11 cm) in physically inactive young adults.
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