Table 2.

LL-BFR training and changes in muscle mass

Study	Subjects	Protocol	N	Exercise mode	Duration/frequency	Muscle mass assessment	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	MRI	LL-BFR: 7% HL: 6%	No significant between-group differences
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	MRI	LL-BFR: 8% HL: 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	Ultrasound     Biceps brachii     Triceps brachii     Deltoid     Pectoralis major DEXA     Arm bone-free LBM	LL-BFR: 3–17% HL: − 5 to 7%	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	MRI	LL-BFR: 6% HL: 7%	Similar increases in both groups
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	MRI     Quadriceps     Adductors     Gluteus maximus     Hamstring	LL-BFR: 7%a HL: 2%a	No significant between-group differences except for quadriceps CSA (greater in LL-BFR)

^aValues are only reported for the quadriceps muscle, since data for other muscle groups were not available

1RM one-repetition maximum, CON control group, CSA cross-sectional area, DEXA dual x-ray absorptiometry, HL high-load, LBM lean body mass, LL-BFR low-load blood flow restriction, MRI magnetic resonance imaging, wk week/s, y years