Effect of Low-Load Blood Flow Restriction Training and High-Load Resistance Training on Quadriceps Strength, Dynamic Stability, and Functional Performance

Objective: Blood flow restriction (BFR) is a method used to affix a pneumatic cuff to the uppermost part of a leg. Blood flow restriction is often combined with low load-blood flow restriction training (LL-BFRt) to enhance strength and promote muscle hypertrophy. Therefore, this research aimed to examine the effect of LL-BFRt, sham LL-BFRt, and high load-resistance training (HL-Rt) on quadriceps strength (QS), dynamic stability, and functional performance.

Design: Single-blinded randomized trial method.

Setting: A private physical therapy clinic in Bali, Indonesia.

Participants: Data were collected from 63 basketball and rugby players assigned to 3 intervention groups, namely, LL-BFRt, sham LL-BFRt, and HL-Rt, through block randomization.

Independent variables: Each participant received intervention consisting of 45-minute sessions twice per week for 8 weeks.

Outcome measures: Quadriceps strength, star excursion balance test (SEBT), and single-leg hop test (SLHT) were evaluated in baseline, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks of the intervention period.

Results: In LL-BFRt and HL-Rt groups, QS, SEBT, and SLHT scores were significantly improved during 8-week intervention period, except in sham LL-BFRt group. Furthermore, there was a significant improvement in LL-BFRt (QS: 9.2-33.5 Newton; SEBT: 1.2-11.1 cm; SLHT: 1.3-9.8 cm, P-values < 0.05) and HL-Rt groups (QS: 15.4-35.9 Newton; SEBT: 2.2-9.0 cm; SLHT: 4.5-15.8 cm, P < 0.05) compared with sham LL-BFRt.

Conclusions: The improvements attained by participants using LL-BFRt and HL-Rt were comparable and capable of improving QS, SEBT, and SLHT more than sham LL-BFRt.