Resistance Exercise with Blood Flow Restriction: A Novel Training Technique to Maximize Strength and Hypertrophy: A Brief Review

Low-load resistance exercise with blood flow restriction has been known to stimulate muscle development that is comparable to conventional High-load Resistance Exercise. Resistance exercise with blood flow restriction is a pretty new training technique that can be an option to High-load Resistance Exercise for increasing muscle mass and strength not only in athletes but also in healthy people and elderly people, or rehabilitation for injured athletes with load restrictions. This brief review study aims to summarize the existing literature concerning the basic principles of resistance exercise with blood flow restriction and to provide a brief description of blood flow restriction training to maximize strength and hypertrophy. Blood flow restriction training can be performed when High-load Resistance Exercise is not tolerated because of pain or other contraindications such as absolute weight-bearing restrictions, for instance after surgical procedures to regain strength and muscle mass. High-load Resistance Exercise is associated with high mechanical tension, however in some cases, this is not warranted. In these cases, resistance exercise with blood flow restriction seems to be a better option. Consequently, blood flow restriction training should not replace High-load Resistance Exercise for the general public or uninjured athletes, but blood flow restriction training can be used as an alternating training tool or in situations where High-load Resistance Exercise is inadvisable.