Blood flow restriction therapy with exercise are no better than exercise alone in improving athletic performance, muscle strength, and hypertrophy: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

The benefits of Blood Flow Restriction Therapy (BFRT) have gained attention in recent times.

OBJECTIVE:

This review aimed to evaluate the immediate (up to 24 hours), intermediate (up to 6 weeks), and long term (6-10 weeks) effects of BFRT plus exercises (EX) compared to EX only on athletic performance (sprint and jump performance), muscle strength, and hypertrophy in athletes and physically active population.

METHODS:

A literature search was conducted to select randomized controlled trials across four electronic databases from inception till April 2021. The search yielded twenty-seven studies in total.

RESULTS:

Based on eligibility criteria, twenty-one studies were analyzed. No differences were found between both groups for immediate (standardized mean difference [SMD] -0.02, 95% confidence interval [CI] -0.31, 0.27) and long-term effects (SMD -0.30, 95%CI -0.90, 0.30) on sprint performance. For jump performance, no significant effect was observed immediately (SMD -0.02 (95% CI -1.06, 1.02) and long term (SMD -0.40 (95% CI -1.46, 0.67). Similarly, muscle torque at intermediate (SMD 0.90 (95% CI -1.01, 2.81) and long term (SMD -0.54 (95% CI -1.19, 0.12), muscle strength at intermediate (SMD 1.12 (95% CI 0.20, 2.04) , and long term (SMD -0.07 (95% CI -0.56, 0.42) also showed non-significant effects. Muscle hypertrophy at intermediate (SMD 0.16 (95% CI -0.31, 0.63) and long term (SMD -0.20 (95% CI -0.90, 0.50) were not statistically significant.

CONCLUSIONS:

There was no significant difference observed in BFRT plus EX group compared to the EX-group on athletic performance, muscle strength, and muscle hypertrophy.

• Authors: Dimple Khurana, Neha Dutta, Shikha Malik, Shalini Sharma, M Minhaj, Raj Kumar Sharma, Saurabh Sharma
• Journal: Somatosensory & motor research (Somatosens Mot Res) Pg. 1-18 (Feb 24 2023) ISSN: 1369-1651 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 36825612 (Publication Type: Journal Article)