Key result
Low-intensity blood flow restriction training resulted in a significantly greater sustained decrease in Achilles tendon thickness at 24 hours post-exercise (-9.2%) compared to low-intensity resistance training alone (-1.06%).
Why the study?
Blood flow restriction research has focused on muscular strength and hypertrophy, with limited data reported regarding its effect on the tendon.
Does low-intensity blood flow restriction training alter the time course of recovery in Achilles tendon thickness compared to low-intensity resistance training in healthy participants?
Does low-intensity blood flow restriction training alter the time course of recovery in Achilles tendon thickness compared to low-intensity resistance training in healthy participants?
Absolute Event Rate: -9.2% vs -1.06%
p-value: p=<0.01
Low-intensity blood flow restriction training results in a delayed recovery of Achilles tendon thickness compared to standard low-intensity resistance training, potentially reflecting differences in intratendinous fluid movement.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Hypothesis-generating for delayed tendon recovery with LI-BFRT; should not yet change practice or protocols.
Chulvi‐Medrano et al. (2020) studied Healthy participants (n=56). Low-intensity blood flow restriction training (LI-BFRT) vs. Low-intensity resistance training (LI-RT) without blood flow restriction was evaluated on Change in Achilles tendon thickness at 24 hours post-exercise (p=<0.01). Low-intensity blood flow restriction training resulted in a significantly greater sustained decrease in Achilles tendon thickness at 24 hours post-exercise (-9.2%) compared to low-intensity resistance training alone (-1.06%).
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