Table 1.
LL-BFR training and changes in muscle strength
| Study | Subjects | Protocol | N | Exercise mode | Duration/frequency | Strength measurement | Percentage increase | Conclusion |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cook et al. [81] | Older adults (≥ 65 y) |
LL-BFR (30–50% 1RM) HL (70% 1RM) |
12 12 |
Leg curl Leg extension Leg press |
12 wk; 2 days/wk |
Isometric leg extension Dynamic leg curl Dynamic leg extension Dynamic leg press |
LL-BFR: 10–26% HL: 18–56% |
No significant between-group differences except for dynamic leg extension (greater in HL) |
| Karabulut et al. [4] | Older men (50–64 y) |
LL-BFR (20% 1RM) HL (80% 1RM) |
13 13 |
Leg press Leg extension |
6 wk; 3 days/wk |
Dynamic leg press Dynamic leg extension |
LL-BFR: 19% HL: 20–31% |
No significant between-group differences except for dynamic leg extension (greater in HL) |
| Libardi et al. [82] | Older adults (> 60 y) |
LL-BFR (20–30% 1RM) HL (70-80% 1RM) |
10 8 |
Leg press | 12 wk; 2 days/wk | Dynamic leg press |
LL-BFR: 35% HL: 38% |
No significant between-group differences |
| Patterson and Ferguson [83] | Older adults (62–73 y) |
LL-BFR (25% 1RM) LL (25% 1RM) |
10 10 |
Plantar-flexion | 4 wk; 3 days/wk |
Isokinetic plantar flexion 0.52; 1.05; 2.09 rad/s Isometric plantar flexion Dynamic plantar flexion |
LL-BFR: 11–20% LL: 0–4% |
Greater strength improvements for LL-BFR except for isokinetic torque at 1.05 rad/s and 2.09 rad/s |
| Shimizu et al. [84] | Older adults (> 65 y) |
LL-BFR (20% 1RM) LL (20% 1RM) |
20 20 |
Leg extension Leg press Rowing Chest press |
4 wk; 3 days/wk |
Dynamic leg extension Dynamic leg press Dynamic rowing Dynamic chest press |
LL-BFR: 6–19% LL: − 2 to 7% |
No significant between-group differences |
| Thiebaud et al. [85] | Older women (61 ± 5 y) |
LL-BFR (10–30% 1RM) HL (70–90% 1RM) |
6 8 |
Seated chest press Seated row Seated shoulder press |
8 wk; 3 days/wk |
Dynamic chest press Dynamic row Dynamic shoulder press |
LL-BFR: 4–10% HL: 5–18% |
No significant between-group differences |
| Vechin et al. [86] | Older adults (59–71 y) |
LL-BFR (20–30% 1RM) HL (70–80% 1RM) |
8 8 |
Leg press | 12 wk; 2 days/wk | Dynamic leg press |
LL-BFR: 17% HL: 54% |
HL tends to result in greater strength increases |
| Yasuda et al. [33] | Older women (61–86 y) |
LL-BFR (35–45% 1RM) HL (70–90% 1RM) |
10 10 |
Squats Knee extension |
12 wk; 2 days/wk |
Isometric knee extension Isometric knee flexion Dynamic leg press Dynamic knee extension |
LL-BFR: 7–17% HL: 4–18% |
Significant increase in LL-BFR group, no significant increase in HL group |
1RM one-repetition maximum, CON control group, HL high-load, LL low-load, LL-BFR low-load blood flow restriction, wk week/s, y years