Effects of blood flow restriction training on aerobic capacity, lower limb muscle strength and mass in healthy adults: a meta-analysis.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to systematically evaluate the effects of blood flow restriction combined with aerobic exercise on aerobic capacity, lower limb muscle strength and mass in healthy adults.

Evidence acquisition: According to PRISMA's statement, we searched Web of science, Medline, Embase, Cochrane library, CNKI, Wan fang, and VIP databases to collect randomized controlled trials on the effects of aerobic exercise with blood flow restriction on improving aerobic capacity, lower limb muscle strength, and muscle mass in healthy adults. The studies were published from the establishment of the database to November 2023. A supplementary search has been conducted on March 8, 2024. Review Manager5.3 and Stata17 were used for statistical analysis.

Evidence synthesis: A total of 16 RCTs with 388 participants were included. The results of meta-analysis showed: Aerobic exercise with BFR significantly affected aerobic capacity (MD and 95%CI 1.06[0.29,1.83], P<0.05), lower limb muscle strength (MD and 95%CI 7.56[5.80,9.33], P<0.05) and lower limb muscle mass (MD and 95%CI were 3.02[1.63,4.42], P<0.05) in healthy adults. The results of subgroup analysis showed that intermittent pressure was better than continuous pressure (P<0.05). Compared with the elderly, the effect of young and middle-aged was better (P<0.05). At the same time, the training form using power bikes is better than walking or running. Finally, 2-6 weeks, 2-3 sessions per week, 10-45 minutes per session can effectively improve the aerobic capacity of healthy adults.

Conclusions: Aerobic exercise with BFR can significantly improve aerobic capacity, lower limb muscle strength and mass in healthy adults. In the future, the effects of blood flow restriction training on healthy adults should be further studied, and the form of pressure, intervention cycle, frequency, time, intensity and other variables should be further controlled.