Blood Flow Restriction Training
What is Blood Flow Restriction?
- A form of low intensity resistance training that can be used to enhance muscle growth, strength, and performance of the working muscles
- A way to prevent muscle atrophy and build strength without increasing load on joints
How does Blood Flow Restriction work?
- A specifically designed cuff is placed high up on the leg or arm
- Individualized amounts of compression are applied to the working limb and a select 1-4 exercise are performed as determined by your therapist
- The compression of the cuff causes a buildup of metabolic muscle byproducts that lead to enhanced muscle growth
- BFR can achieve similar results in muscle growth to high intensity interval training (HIIT)
Who is Blood Flow Restriction for?
- Post-surgical clients (achilles tendon repair, ACL repair, meniscal repair, hip scope, or rotator cuff repair) with limitations in weight bearing or range of motion that prevents higher/heavier loads
- Clients with pain, arthritis, or degenerative issues that cannot handle higher/heavier loading to joints or tendons
- Clients with healing tissues that cannot yet handle higher/heavier loads
- High level athletes that need to maintain training intensity but cannot handle the high level of forces necessary to be competitive
What are the benefits of Blood Flow Restriction?
- BFR helps to prevents muscle atrophy
- Allows for muscle strengthening without having to overload joints
- Excellent way to bridge the gap between low intensity and high intensity training
Side effects?
- Some muscle soreness after BFR is expected
- Muscle fatigue during exercise and low levels of discomfort are normal
*Consult your doctor before beginning BFR if you have a history of deep vein thrombosis, varicose veins, high blood pressure, cardiac disease, or may be pregnant.