Blood Flow Restriction Therapy

Blood Flow Restriction Therapy (BFRT) is an exercise-based program used to induce strength and hypertrophy responses in working muscle at low resistive loads to reduce vascular inflow and completely occlude venous outflow in the limb. Traditional resistance training guidelines recommend that individuals lift loads greater than 65% of a 1-repetition maximum over 12-16 weeks to obtain strength and hypertrophy gains. Unfortunately, persons recovering from surgery or injury, athletes in a competitive season and the elderly may not be candidates for higher load training. BFRT has become a novel training method for these individuals to obtain similar gains as high intensity training utilizing significantly lower loads. Studies have shown improved muscle endurance in 1/3 the time, improved muscle protein synthesis in the elderly, and improved strength and hypertrophy after surgery.