Resistance Training with Blood Flow Restriction on Vascular Function: A Meta-analysis.

Area of Science:

• Exercise Physiology
• Cardiovascular Health

Background:

• Vascular function and arterial compliance are crucial indicators of cardiovascular health.
• Resistance training is a common exercise modality, but its impact on vascular health can be enhanced.
• Blood flow restriction (BFR) training is an emerging technique with potential benefits for muscle hypertrophy and recovery.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically evaluate the effects of resistance training with and without blood flow restriction on vascular function.
• To compare the efficacy of BFR resistance training versus traditional resistance training on arterial compliance and overall vascular health.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive meta-analysis was conducted, searching five databases up to June 2020.
• Studies investigating the influence of BFR resistance training on vascular function were included.
• Quality assessment of included studies and estimation of effect sizes (standardized mean difference) were performed.
• Subgroup analyses were conducted based on participant age, training duration, and cuff pressure.

Main Results:

• Six studies on arterial compliance and five on vascular function showed highly homogenous results.
• Resistance training with BFR demonstrated a more positive effect on regulating arterial compliance compared to resistance training without BFR.
• No significant difference in overall vascular function was observed between BFR and non-BFR resistance training.
• However, BFR resistance training showed a more positive effect on vascular function than traditional resistance training when implemented for durations of four weeks or less.

Conclusions:

• Resistance training with blood flow restriction is superior to traditional resistance training for improving arterial compliance.
• While overall vascular function benefits were not significantly different in the long term, BFR resistance training offers acute advantages for vascular function within the initial four weeks of training.