Key result
Low-frequency, low-pressure, and low-intensity blood flow restriction training significantly improved one-repetition maximum strength (WMD 0.58) compared to low-intensity training alone in older adults.
Why the study?
Although blood flow restriction combined with low-intensity training improves muscle strength and maintains cardiovascular fitness in older adults, it remains unclear which training regimen is most effective.
Does blood flow restriction combined with low-intensity training improve muscle strength and maintain cardiovascular safety in older adults?
Meta-Analysis (n=626)
Does blood flow restriction combined with low-intensity training improve muscle strength and maintain cardiovascular safety in older adults?
Mean Difference: 0.58 (95% CI 0.81–1.08)
p-value: p=<0.05
High-frequency, high-pressure blood flow restriction combined with low-intensity training optimally improves muscle strength without adversely increasing blood pressure in older adults.
High-frequency, high-pressure BFR safely boosts strength in older adults without BP rises; extends meta-analytic guidance on optimized BFR parameters.
Background Older adults are experiencing a gradual decline in physical function as they age. Previous studies have shown that blood flow restriction (BFR) combined with low-intensity training can improve muscle strength and maintain cardiovascular fitness in older adults. However, it remains unclear which training regimen is the most effective. This study aims to investigate the effects of different BFR regimens combined with low-intensity training on muscle strength and cardiovascular safety in older adults. Method PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, the Cochrane Library, Scopus, EBSCOhost, and CNKI were searched up to March 2025 to select eligible studies. The randomized controlled trials that explored the effects of BFR training on muscle strength and cardiovascular safety in older adults were included. Results A total of 18 studies with 626 participants were included. The results of this network meta-analysis showed that: 1) in terms of improving muscle strength: compared to the controls, low-frequency, low-pressure, and low-intensity BFR training regimen was significantly related to one-repetition maximum (1RM) strength [weighted mean difference (WMD) = 0.58, 95% CI: 0.81–1.08 P < 0.05]. Moreover, high-frequency, high-pressure, and low-intensity BFR training was associated with increased muscle cross-sectional area [WMD = 0.50,95% CI (−0.10,1.11), P > 0.05] and isometric muscle strength [WMD = 1.44,95% CI (0.75,2.12), P < 0.05]; 2) in terms of cardiovascular health: compared to the controls, BFR training regimens at different pressures and frequencies were not linked to changes in heart rate in older adults ( P > 0.05). Moreover, low-frequency, low-pressure, and low-intensity BFR training regimen was associated with increased systolic blood pressure [WMD = 3.40, 95%CI (0.61,6.19), P < 0.05] and diastolic blood pressure [WMD = 13.40, 95%CI (8.96,17.84), P < 0.05] in older adults. Conclusion Based on the results, high-frequency, high-pressure, and low-intensity BFR training may serve as the optimal regimen to improve muscle strength and maintain cardiovascular fitness in older adults. Clinical Trial Registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/ , Registration and protocol CRD42024534387.
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Tan et al. (2025) conducted a meta-analysis in Age-related decline in physical function (n=626). Blood flow restriction (BFR) combined with low-intensity training vs. Low-intensity training without BFR was evaluated on One-repetition maximum (1RM) strength (WMD 0.58, 95% CI 0.81-1.08, p=<0.05). Low-frequency, low-pressure, and low-intensity blood flow restriction training significantly improved one-repetition maximum strength (WMD 0.58) compared to low-intensity training alone in older adults.
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