Effects of Blood Flow Restriction Training on Muscle Strength and Architecture

Korkmaz, E, Donmez, G, Uzuner, K, BabayevaSerife Seyma Torgutalp, N, and Ozcakar, L. Effects of blood flow restriction training on muscle strength and architecture. J Strength Cond Res 36(5): 1396-1403, 2022 - The aim of this study was to compare the effect of the traditional resistance (RES) training and low-intensity resistance training with blood flow restriction (BFR) protocols on quadriceps and hamstring muscle strength, and rectus femoris (RF) and vastus lateralis architecture, in youth team soccer players. Twenty-three young trained soccer team players were divided into 2 groups: The RES group that practiced traditional high-intensity resistance training (80% 1 repetition maximum [1RM], 4 sets, 12 rep.) (n = 12) and the BFR group that performed low-intensity resistance exercise with BFR (30% 1RM, 4 sets, 30-15-15-15 rep.) (n = 11) - unilateral knee extension exercise - twice a week for 6 weeks. Muscle strength (isokinetic concentric peak torque of the quadriceps and hamstring muscles) and ultrasonographic parameters (muscle thickness, pennation angle, and fascicle length) were assessed. Bilateral knee flexor and extensor strength was increased in both groups compared with pre-exercise. The increase in dominant side extensor muscle strength (60°·s^-1p = 0.02, ηp2 = 0.256, 180°·s^-1p = 0.019, ηp2 = 0.271) and RF thickness (p = 0.002, ηp2 = 0.361) was statistically higher in the BFR group than in the RES group. These findings support that occlusion training can provide better benefits than traditional strength training to improve muscle hypertrophy. In addition, the novelty of our study is that BFR training may affect the muscle structure measured by ultrasonography.