Low-load resistance training with moderate blood flow restriction significantly increased knee extensor/flexor strength and muscle cross-sectional area compared to unrestricted training at 16 weeks.
RCT (n=44)
randomized
Does low-load muscular training with moderate restriction of blood flow improve muscular strength and size in patients after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction?
Low-load resistance training with moderate blood flow restriction is an effective early exercise strategy for improving muscle strength and size after ACL reconstruction.
We performed a prospective study to determine the effects of introducing low-load muscular training with moderate restriction of blood flow during the first 16 weeks after reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament. 44 subjects (average age 29 (18-52) years) were randomized into a group that trained restriction of blood flow (group R, n = 22) and a group that trained without restriction (group N, n = 22). Both groups followed the same training schedule. Evaluations of knee extensor and flexor torques before surgery and 16 weeks after it showed a significant increase in muscular strength in group R as compared to group N. The preoperative/16-week postoperative ratio of the cross-sectional area of the knee extensor muscles showed a statistically significant enlargement in group R as compared to group N. 16 weeks after surgery, the short diameters of type 1 and type 2 fibers of M. vastus lateralis tended to be larger in group R (n = 8) than in group N (n = 8), although the differences were not significant. These findings show that low-load resistance muscular training during moderate restriction of blood flow is an effective exercise for early muscular training after reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament.
Ohta et al. (2003) conducted an RCT in Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (n=44). Low-load resistance muscular training with moderate restriction of blood flow vs. Low-load resistance muscular training without restriction of blood flow was evaluated on Knee extensor and flexor torques and cross-sectional area of the knee extensor muscles. Low-load resistance training with moderate blood flow restriction significantly increased knee extensor/flexor strength and muscle cross-sectional area compared to unrestricted training at 16 weeks.