Practical blood flow restriction combined with resistance training stimulated bicep muscle hypertrophy to the same degree as high-intensity resistance training alone (condition by time P=0.58).
RCT (n=20)
Randomized crossover
Does practical blood flow restriction training increase muscle hypertrophy compared to high-intensity resistance training in resistance-trained men?
Practical blood flow restriction training stimulates muscle hypertrophy to a similar degree as high-intensity resistance training.
Standardized Mean Difference: 0.8
p-value: p=0.58
BACKGROUND: Resistance training in combination with practical blood flow restriction (pBFR) is thought to stimulate muscle hypertrophy by increasing muscle activation and muscle swelling. Most previous studies used the KAATSU device; however, little long-term research has been completed using pBFR. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of pBFR on muscle hypertrophy. METHODS: Twenty college-aged male participants with a minimum of 1 year of resistance training experience were recruited for this study. Our study consisted of a randomized, crossover protocol consisting of individuals either using pBFR for the elbow flexors during the first 4 weeks (BFR-HI) or the second 4 weeks (HI-BFR) of an 8-week resistance training programme. Direct ultrasound-determined bicep muscle thickness was assessed collectively at baseline and at the end of weeks 4 and 8. RESULTS: There were no differences in muscle thickness between groups at baseline (P = 0·52). There were time (P<0·01, ES = 0·99) but no condition by time effects (P = 0·58, ES = 0·80) for muscle thickness in which the combined values of both groups increased on average from week 0 (3·66 ± 0·06) to week 4 (3·95 ± 0·05) to week 8 (4·11 ± 0·07). However, both the BFR-HI and HI-BFR increased significantly from baseline to week 4 (6·9% and 8·6%, P<0·01) and from weeks 4 to 8 (4·1%, 4·0%, P<0·01), respectively. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that pBFR can stimulate muscle hypertrophy to the same degree to that of high-intensity resistance training.
Lowery et al. (Mon,) conducted a rct in Muscle hypertrophy (n=20). Practical blood flow restriction (pBFR) vs. High-intensity resistance training without pBFR was evaluated on Direct ultrasound-determined bicep muscle thickness (ES 0.80, p=0.58). Practical blood flow restriction combined with resistance training stimulated bicep muscle hypertrophy to the same degree as high-intensity resistance training alone (condition by time P=0.58).
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