Table 3.
Summary of protocols and outcomes from the included studies.
| Author, year | Exercise mode | Group comparisons | Exercise Intensity | Frequency of Training | BFR protocol | VO2max % change | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BFR group | Non-BFR group | ||||||
| Abe, 2010 | Cycling | Low intensity training with (n = 9) and without (n = 10) BFR | 40% of VO2max | 3 sessions per week, for 8 weeks | Cuff width: 50 mm; Occlusion pressure: 160-210 mmHg; Total time of occlusion: 18 minutes (preparation and exercise session; protocol had no rest periods) | 5.1 | 0.7 |
| Park, 2010 | Walking | Low intensity training with (n = 7) and without (n = 5) BFR | 40% of VO2max | 12 sessions per week, for 2 weeks | Cuff width: 110 mm; Occlusion pressure: 160-210 mmHg; Total time of occlusion: 19 minutes (preparation and exercise session, including rest periods) | 11.6 | -0.6 |
| Keramidas, 2012 | Cycling | High intensity training with (n = 10) and without (n = 10) BFR | 90% of VO2max | 3 sessions per week, for 6 weeks | Cuff width: NR; Occlusion pressure: 90 mmHg; Total time of occlusion: NR (exercise session until exhaustion; cuff deflated during rest periods) | -2.2 | -4.2 |
| de Oliveira, 2016 | Cycling | Low intensity interval training with (n = 10) and without (n = 7) BFR | 30% of VO2max | 3 sessions per week, for 4 weeks | Cuff width: 180 mm; Occlusion pressure: 140-220 mmHg; Total time of occlusion: 20-32 minutes (during exercise only; cuff deflated during rest periods) | 5.5 | 0.4 |
| Paton, 2017 | Running | High intensity training with (n = 8) and without (n = 8) BFR | 80% of peak running velocity | 2 sessions per week, for 4 weeks | Elastic wrap width: 75 mm; Occlusion pressure: NR; Total time of occlusion: 10-28 minutes (during exercise only; unwrapped during rest periods) | 6.3 | 4.0 |
| Esparza, 2017 | Running | Low intensity training with (n = 10) and without (n = 8) BFR | 30-45% VO2 reserve | 3 sessions per week, for 6 weeks | Cuff width: 50 mm; Occlusion pressure: 120-210 mmHg; Total time of occlusion: 30 minutes. (exercise session) | 7.3 | 4.1 |
| Amani, 2018 | Running | Moderate intensity interval training with (n = 10) and without (n = 9) BFR | 60% of maximum heart rate reserve | 4 sessions per week, for 2 weeks | Cuff width: NR; Occlusion pressure: 140-180 mmHg; Total time of occlusion: NR (exercise session until exhaustion) | 3.6 | 1.4 |
Abbreviations: BFR = Blood flow restriction; NR = not reported; VO2max = maximal oxygen uptake.