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Updated: Sep 24, 2025
Improving Strength, Power, Muscle Aerobic Capacity, and Glucose Tolerance through Short-term Progressive Strength Training Among Elderly People
Published on: July 5, 2017
Effect of blood flow restriction combined with low-intensity training on the lower limbs muscle strength and function
Tianqi Zhang1, Xing Wang2, Jing Wang3
1School of Physical Education, Shandong University, Jinan 250000, China.
Objective:
To systematically evaluate the effect of blood flow restriction (BFR) combined with low-intensity (LI) training on muscular strength and function of older adults.
Methods:
Databases including PubMed, Web of Science, EBSCO host, Cochrane Library, CNKI, Wan Fang Data were searched to collect randomized controlled trials (RTCs) investigating the effects of BFR-LI training on muscular strength and function of older adults. The Cochrane bias risk assessment tool was applied to evaluate the methodological quality of the included studies, and acquired data were statistically analyzed using Stata 14.0 software. The retrieval period is from the establishment of the database to February 2022.
Results:
Eighteen RCTs were included, with a total sample size of 419 people. Meta-analysis shows that BFR-LI training significantly improves the lower limb muscle strength (SMD: 0.66, 95%CI: [0.41,0.91], p < 0.001), and muscle function in Timed Up and Go Test (SMD: 0.79, 95%CI: [0.07,1.51], p < 0.05), and 30 Second Sit to Stand Test (SMD: 0.77, 95%CI: [0.13-1.40], p < 0.05). Different condition of control group (β = 0.48, 95% CI: [-0.98,-0.50], p < 0.01) and exercise duration (β = 1.05, 95% CI:[0.00,0.09], p < 0.05) were significant moderators in subgroup and meta-regression analyses. The effects of BFR-LI on strength gain are greater than regular LI-training in combined with resistance training and walking training, but weaker than the effect of high-intensity (HI) training.
Conclusion:
BFR-LI training can effectively improve the muscular strength and function of the lower limbs of older adults. However, due to the limitations in the quality of the included research (inappropriate research design, small sample size, etc.), issues such as pressure intensity and exercise risk still need to be confirmed by more standardized and high-quality studies.
