Blood Flow Restriction and Various Intensity Exercise in the Upper Extremity
Location
Loosemore Auditorium
Description
PURPOSE: To determine changes in strength and tendon size with Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) with low-load exercise compared to a high-load exercise without BFR. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Forty-three participants (15 M, 28 F; 2 left-handed, 41 right-handed; age range 18-27 years) were randomly assigned to either the treatment group (BFR) or the control group (high-load exercise). The protocol was twice a week exercise for 7 weeks. Pre-, mid-, and post-participation ultrasound imaging was done of the dominant distal biceps brachii tendon. There was a pre- and post-participation 1 repetition maximum (1RM) of elbow flexion. The BFR group performed bicep curls with the cuff (Smart Tools) placed at the deltoid tuberosity and limb occlusion set to medium intensity. Both groups performed 4 sets of bicep curls with a 30 second break between sets. BFR was at 40% and the control group at of 80% of their 1RM. RESULTS: A within subjects effect was found for both strength (p=<0.001) and tendon size (p=<0.001). There was no significant interaction of group and strength or tendon size. CONCLUSIONS: Both groups demonstrated increased tendon size and strength over the 7-week protocol. High-load exercise did not induce a greater increase in tendon size or strength when compared to the BFR with low-load exercise. Using low-load exercise with BFR can induce similar effects to a high-load exercise program which can be beneficial to those who cannot participate in high-load exercises such as post-surgical patients. Further research is needed on this topic in injured populations.
Blood Flow Restriction and Various Intensity Exercise in the Upper Extremity
Loosemore Auditorium
PURPOSE: To determine changes in strength and tendon size with Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) with low-load exercise compared to a high-load exercise without BFR. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Forty-three participants (15 M, 28 F; 2 left-handed, 41 right-handed; age range 18-27 years) were randomly assigned to either the treatment group (BFR) or the control group (high-load exercise). The protocol was twice a week exercise for 7 weeks. Pre-, mid-, and post-participation ultrasound imaging was done of the dominant distal biceps brachii tendon. There was a pre- and post-participation 1 repetition maximum (1RM) of elbow flexion. The BFR group performed bicep curls with the cuff (Smart Tools) placed at the deltoid tuberosity and limb occlusion set to medium intensity. Both groups performed 4 sets of bicep curls with a 30 second break between sets. BFR was at 40% and the control group at of 80% of their 1RM. RESULTS: A within subjects effect was found for both strength (p=<0.001) and tendon size (p=<0.001). There was no significant interaction of group and strength or tendon size. CONCLUSIONS: Both groups demonstrated increased tendon size and strength over the 7-week protocol. High-load exercise did not induce a greater increase in tendon size or strength when compared to the BFR with low-load exercise. Using low-load exercise with BFR can induce similar effects to a high-load exercise program which can be beneficial to those who cannot participate in high-load exercises such as post-surgical patients. Further research is needed on this topic in injured populations.