A236: Effects of Four-Week Blood Flow Restriction Combined with Functional Training on Physical Fitness in the Elderly

Falls resulting from age-related declines in physical function significantly affect the quality of life in older adults and increase healthcare costs. While functional training (FT) helps mitigate these declines, its impact on metabolic load is limited. Blood flow restriction (BFR) training, which enhances metabolic stress through low-intensity exercise, has emerged as a promising alternative. This study aimed to investigate whether combining BFR with FT (BFR-FT) leads to greater improvements in physical fitness in older men compared to FT alone. Thirty healthy older men (71.07±5.51 years) were randomly assigned to FT, BFR-FT, or control (CON) groups. The study included pre-test, intervention, and post-test phases. Pre-test data were collected one week before the intervention. Physical fitness was assessed using the Timed Up-and-Go, 2-Minute Step, Functional Reach, Chair Sit-and-Reach, 30-Second Arm Curl, and 30-Second Chair Stand tests. Fall self-efficacy was measured using the Modified Falls Efficacy Scale (MFES). The FT program included 11 functional exercise stations. Participants performed 10 repetitions per station and completed three circuits per session. The intervention lasted four weeks, with three sessions per week. For the BFR-FT group, the same FT exercises were performed with blood flow restriction cuffs worn on the proximal limbs. Arterial occlusion pressure was measured during the pre-test using an ultrasound Doppler probe, and cuffs were maintained at 50% arterial occlusion pressure throughout training. Post-tests were conducted using the same procedures as pre-tests for consistency. Data were analyzed using two-way ANOVA, with post-hoc LSD tests for group comparisons. Significant main effects of group and time were observed in the Timed Up-and-Go (p < 0.001), 2-Minute Step Test (p < 0.001), Functional Reach Test (p=0.013), and 30-Second Chair Stand (p < 0.001), with the BFR-FT group outperforming both the FT and CON groups. Significant differences were also found in the 30-Second Arm Curl (p < 0.001) and MFES (p < 0.001), favoring BFR-FT over FT alone. No significant interactions were found for the Chair Sit-and-Reach Test. This study shows that combining BFR with FT significantly improves mobility, balance, and strength in older adults, compared to FT alone. BFR enhances the metabolic load of low-intensity exercise, enabling significant muscle activation without excessive strain, making it ideal for older adults. FT improves functional mobility and coordination, and when combined with BFR, maximizes training benefits and reduces fall risk. The results provide preliminary support for the BFR-FT intervention, offering valuable insights into improving physical function and overall well-being in older adults.