Six weeks of low-intensity treadmill walking with blood flow restriction improved walking distance, speed, sit-to-stand reps, and physical function in a 14-year-old with Long COVID.
Does combining low-intensity treadmill walking with blood flow restriction training improve functional capacity in an adolescent with Long COVID and POTS?
Blood flow restriction training combined with low-intensity treadmill walking may safely improve functional outcomes and oxygen utilization in adolescents with Long COVID and POTS without exacerbating post-exertional malaise.
BACKGROUND: Long COVID (LC) presents with persistent symptoms such as fatigue and post-exertional malaise (PEM), limiting functional capacity. Blood flow restriction (BFR) training has shown promise in improving aerobic capacity at low intensities, potentially benefiting individuals with LC. CASE PRESENTATION: A 14-year-old female with LC, Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), and PEM experienced limited improvement with standard physical therapy. After gaining medical clearance, her therapist initiated a six-week intervention combining low-intensity treadmill walking (TMW) with BFR. OUTCOME AND FOLLOW-UP: After BFR with TMW, the patient demonstrated improved walking distance, walking speed, sit-to-stand repetitions, and self-reported physical function. While overall ventilatory efficiency improved from her baseline, ventilatory inefficiency persisted, supporting continued medical management. DISCUSSION: This novel case highlights BFR as a safe, effective adjunct to aerobic training in adolescents with LC and POTS. Clinicians could consider BFR for patients with exertional intolerance, as it may enhance oxygen utilization and functional outcomes without exacerbating PEM.
Sherwin et al. (2026) studied this question. Six weeks of low-intensity treadmill walking with blood flow restriction improved walking distance, speed, sit-to-stand reps, and physical function in a 14-year-old with Long COVID.