Effects of Blood Flow Restriction Training on Body Composition Parameters

Blood flow occlusion with restriction training (BFR) promotes muscle hypertrophy and strength while exercising at lower intensities than traditional training. BFR involves cuffs that restrict venous blood flow while permitting arterial flow to stimulate signaling pathways associated with metabolic stress and muscle fatigue. PURPOSE: The aim was to determine the effects of BFR on total fat mass (TFM), percent body fat (%BF), and total lean mass (TLM). METHODS: 42 college-aged participants (20.6±1.9 years, 23.4± 3.3 kg/m2) were separated into a control (n=18) or BFR group (n=24). Whole-body dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) was performed before and after the BFR group performed four compound exercises at 20% of their one repetition maximum with pressure cuffs inflated to 50% of their max occlusion pressure for 4 sets with 30, 15, 15, and 15 reps, 3 days a week for 8 weeks. RESULTS: BFR resulted in significant differences from control for change in TFM (-1.0%±2.5 vs. 13.9±2.9, p<0.01), change in %BF (-2.88%±2.2 vs. 11.69±2.9%, p<0.001), and change in TLM (2.8%±1.0 vs. -2.3±1.1%, p<0.001). BFR vs. control group by sex interaction differences were retained whereby BFR vs. control females significantly different TFM (0.2 kg vs. +2.6 kg), %BF (-0.4% vs. +2.9%), and increased TLM (1.1 kg vs. -0.7 kg). Likewise, BFR males significantly decreased TFM (-0.8 kg vs. +2.5 kg), %BF (-1.1% vs. +3.3%), and TLM (1.9 kg vs. -1.8 kg). CONCLUSION: BFR improved TLM, decreased TFM, and %BF. BFR could have positive effects on muscular performance and prevention of chronic disease.