Blood Flow Restriction Training

Blood Flow Restriction Training in Sports: Benefits and Applications

Blood Flow Restriction Training (BFRT), sometimes referred to as Kaatsu, is a rehabilitation technique quickly gaining popularity among physicians and physical therapists. In fact, the popularity and value is so great that many strength and conditioning coaches are now using it to help build strength in healthy athletes. Originally proposed in the 1970s with Dr Kaatsu, the first publication came in 1998 (Shinohara 1998).

Case Question

You are managing a patient who recently underwent an ACL reconstruction. Early in the postoperative period, the physical therapist is looking to implement blood flow restriction training (BFRT) as part of the rehabilitation. Which of the following is true regarding BFRT and ACL rehab?

A) Attenuate postoperative muscle atrophy
B) Increase ACL graft cross sectional area
C) Decrease time in knee brace
D) Decrease need for post-op narcotics

BFRT

The technique can be described as having the goal of occluding venous outflow of the affected limb without limiting arterial inflow. This leads to an anaerobic environment where ischemia and hypoxia occur; generating cell signaling and hormonal changes similar to what is see with high intensity resistance training. Clinically, this becomes a relevant musculoskeletal (MSK) rehabilitation tool because it does not require the high joint forces associated with heavy-load exercise. Individuals can achieve increased muscle burden and physiologic changes at a lower level of resistance training. The exact mechanism of action is poorly understood but several proposed theories include: (a) primarily related to metabolic stress, mechanical tension, (b) elevated systemic hormone production, (c) cell swelling, (d) production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), (e) intramuscular anabolic /anticatabolic signaling, and (f) increased fast-twitch fiber recruitment. It is likely multifactorial.

The technique centers around a device which provides occlusion. There are many products including pneumatic cuffs, hand-pumped blood pressure cuff, elastic wraps and Kaatsu bands (see images below). The amount of occlusion ranges from 60 to 270 mm Hg based on the study referenced (Shinohara 1998). The amount of exercise resistance can vary from 10-50% of 1RM. Duration is typically brief and long enough to achieve the desired set, following which the occlusive product is removed. Along the upper extremity, the tourniquet is placed on the proximal upper arm and for the lower extremity, the proximal thigh.
blood flow restriction training bands with pneumatic compression

Image 2: Example of BFRT Device with Pneumatic Compression

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Example of Blood Flow Restriction Training Bands

Image 2: Example of Blood Flow Restriction Training Bands

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There is fairly strong general evidence supporting the value of BFRT among uninjured individuals. It has been shown to increase VO2max and arterial compliance (Ozaki 2011), increase muscle strength and hypertrophy (Loenneke 2012), muscle cross sectional area (Takarada 2004) and increase glycogen storage and decrease ATP (Burgomaster 2003). Among uninjured athletes, it has been shown to increase strength and muscle size (Wortman 2020), sprint performance (Abe 2005), aerobic capacity (Abe 2010), muscle endurance and jump performance (Manimmanakorn 2013). In collegiate athletes (Luebbers 2014)and jiu-jitsu fighters (Neto 2014), it compared similarly to heavy resistance training for increasing 1RM squat performance.

For recovery from pathologic processes, the evidence is more scant. BFRT is most commonly used for rehabilitation from ACL reconstruction, of which several studies have shown benefit. BFRT appears to attenuate postoperative atrophy (Ohta 2003) and helps with early muscle training (Takarada 2000). It is frequently used for rehab from other post-op treatments including meniscus repair or removal, knee arthroscopy, etc although the evidence is lacking and is generally extrapolated from ACL rehab research. There is some evidence that BFRT can be used to increase leg press and knee extensor strength in women at risk for knee osteoarthritis (Segal 2003). Other studies have shown no benefit, although there was less knee pain during physical therapy sessions (Segal 2015, Bryk 2016).
BFRT is generally considered safe. The greatest risk would be leaving the occlusive product on for an extended period of time leading to prolonged ischemia and permanent damage. For this reason it is recommended that BFRT be used by experienced therapists and strength coaches with formal training. Other potential complications include venous thromboembolism which is poorly understood and defined, swelling, lymphedema, nerve and skin injuries. Reported side effects include fainting, dizziness, numbness, pain, discomfort and delayed onset muscle soreness (Brandner 2018). There are no absolute contraindications although consideration should be given to individuals with certain chronic diseases such as coagulopathy, peripheral arterial disease, diabetes, obesity, and sickle cell disease among others.
In summary, BFRT is a promising adjunctive modality for both the healthy athlete and the recovering one. There is a paucity of literature for many diseases outside of ACL rehabilitation and knee osteoarthritis and more research is needed to better define the role of BFRT for these other disease states. Nonetheless, because it is a relatively safe technique it should continue to be used for augmenting strength and conditioning among healthy athletes and in rehabilitation and disease prevention following surgical and nonsurgical pathology.

Read More: https://wikism.org/Blood_Flow_Restriction_Training

Case Answer

Answer is A. Ohta et al found that BFRT helped attenuate muscle atrophy following ACL rehab in the early postoperative period. There is no compelling literature to show that the ACL graft increases in size. Furthermore, there is no evidence to show a decreased time in knee brace or need for post op narcotics.

Ohta, Haruyasu, et al. “Low-load resistance muscular training with moderate restriction of blood flow after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.” Acta Orthopaedica Scandinavica 74.1 (2003): 62-68.

References

  1. Shinohara M, Kouzaki M, Yoshihisa T, Fukunaga T. Efficacy of tourniquet ischemia for strength training with low resistance. Eur J Appl Physiol Occup Physiol. 1998;77(1-2):189-191.
  2. Takarada, Yudai, Tomomi Tsuruta, and Naokata Ishii. “Cooperative effects of exercise and occlusive stimuli on muscular function in low-intensity resistance exercise with moderate vascular occlusion.” The Japanese journal of physiology 54.6 (2004): 585-592.
  3. Burgomaster, KIRSTEN A., et al. “Resistance training with vascular occlusion: metabolic adaptations in human muscle.” Medicine and science in sports and exercise 35.7 (2003): 1203-1208.
  4. Loenneke, Jeremy P., et al. “Low intensity blood flow restriction training: a meta-analysis.” European journal of applied physiology 112.5 (2012): 1849-1859.
  5. Ozaki, Hayao, et al. “Effects of 10 weeks walk training with leg blood flow reduction on carotid arterial compliance and muscle size in the elderly adults.” Angiology 62.1 (2011): 81-86.
  6. Wortman, Ryan J., et al. “Blood Flow Restriction Training for Athletes: A Systematic Review.” The American Journal of Sports Medicine (2020): 0363546520964454.
  7. Abe, T., et al. “Eight days KAATSU-resistance training improved sprint but not jump performance in collegiate male track and field athletes.” International Journal of KAATSU Training Research 1.1 (2005): 19-23.
  8. Abe, Takashi, et al. “Effects of low-intensity cycle training with restricted leg blood flow on thigh muscle volume and VO2max in young men.” Journal of sports science & medicine 9.3 (2010): 452.
  9. Manimmanakorn A, Hamlin MJ, Ross JJ, Taylor R, Manimmanakorn N. Effects of low-load resistance training combined with blood flow restriction or hypoxia on muscle function and performance in netball athletes. J Sci Med Sport. 2013;16(4):337-342.
  10. Luebbers PE, Fry AC, Kriley LM, Butler MS. The effects of a 7-week practical blood flow restriction program on well-trained collegiate athletes. J Strength Cond Res. 2014;28(8):2270-2280.
  11. Neto GR, Santos HH, Sousa JB, et al. Effects of high-intensity blood flow restriction exercise on muscle fatigue. J Hum Kinet. 2014;41:163-172.
  12. Ohta, Haruyasu, et al. “Low-load resistance muscular training with moderate restriction of blood flow after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.” Acta Orthopaedica Scandinavica 74.1 (2003): 62-68.
  13. Takarada, Yudai, Haruo Takazawa, and Naokata Ishii. “Applications of vascular occlusions diminish disuse atrophy of knee extensor muscles.” Medicine and science in sports and exercise 32.12 (2000): 2035-2039.
  14. Segal, Neil A., et al. “Efficacy of blood flow–restricted, low-load resistance training in women with risk factors for symptomatic knee osteoarthritis.” PM&R 7.4 (2015): 376-384.
  15. Segal, Neil, Maria D. Davis, and Alan E. Mikesky. “Efficacy of blood flow-restricted low-load resistance training for quadriceps strengthening in men at risk of symptomatic knee osteoarthritis.” Geriatric Orthopaedic Surgery & Rehabilitation 6.3 (2015): 160-167.
  16. Bryk, Flavio Fernandes, et al. “Exercises with partial vascular occlusion in patients with knee osteoarthritis: a randomized clinical trial.” Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy 24.5 (2016): 1580-1586.
  17. Brandner, Christopher & May, Anthony & Clarkson, Matthew & Warmington, Stuart. (2018). Reported Side-effects and Safety Considerations for the Use of Blood Flow Restriction During Exercise in Practice and Research. Techniques in Orthopaedics. 33. 1