Key result
Low-intensity cycling with blood flow restriction elicited similar increases in knee flexion muscle strength over time compared to vigorous-intensity cycling, and uniquely increased leg lean mass.
Why the study?
Does low-intensity cycling with blood flow restriction improve muscle mass, strength, and aerobic capacity compared to vigorous-intensity cycling or no exercise in physically active subjects?
Population
31 physically active subjects
Comparison
Low-intensity cycling with blood flow… vs Vigorous-intensity cycling and no exercise control
Design
Other
Follow-up
9 weeks (6 weeks training, 3 weeks detraining)
Authors
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May support time-dependent gains with low-intensity BFR cycling; hypothesis-generating and leaves open equivalence to vigorous exercise.
RCT (n=31)
Does low-intensity cycling with blood flow restriction improve muscle mass, strength, and aerobic capacity compared to vigorous-intensity cycling or no exercise in physically active subjects?
p-value: p=0.019
Low-intensity cycling with blood flow restriction provides similar improvements in knee flexion strength as vigorous-intensity cycling, with potential unique benefits for leg lean mass over time.
Kim et al. (2015) conducted an RCT in Physically active (n=31). Low-intensity cycling with blood flow restriction (LI-BFR) vs. Vigorous-intensity cycling (60-70% HRR) and no exercise control was evaluated on Muscle mass, strength, and aerobic capacity (group × time interaction for knee flexion and leg lean mass) (p=0.019). Low-intensity cycling with blood flow restriction elicited similar increases in knee flexion muscle strength over time compared to vigorous-intensity cycling, and uniquely increased leg lean mass.
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