Effect of Blood Flow Restricted Resistance Training on Peak Lower Body Strength

Abstract

Blood flow restriction (BFR) training uses partial vascular occlusion alongside reduced mechanical loading to stimulate muscular adaptations. The present study compared between the effect of blood flow restricted resistance training (BFRRT) and conventional resistance training on peak lower body strength in sixty healthy young males aged 18-26 years. Participants were allocated to experimental (BFR) and control groups (conventional) (n=30 each). Both groups performed identical four-week squat-based training comprising of three sessions/week for four weeks. Peak lower body strength assessment was done using one-repetition maximum at baseline and post-intervention. Statistical evaluation was done using paired and unpaired t-tests for intra-group and inter-group comparisons. Significant strength improvements were noticed in both training groups. In BFR group, peak lower body strength increased from 88.17 ± 9.60 kg to 95.33 ± 10.74 kg. In control group, it improved from 90.17 ± 9.33 kg to 96.50 ± 9.75 kg (p < 0.001). Inter-group comparison revealed no significant difference in post-training strength outcomes (p = 0.661), despite numerically superior gains in the blood flow restriction group. Both BFR and conventional resistance training produced substantial peak lower body strength enhancement. Although blood flow restriction training yielded marginally greater absolute improvements, statistical equivalence between protocols suggests comparable efficacy.

Keywords: Arterial occlusion pressure, Blood flow restriction, Resistance training, Squat training, Strength.

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