Effects of Blood Flow Restriction Training on the Upper Extremities: A Scoping Review

Area of Science:

• Sports Medicine
• Exercise Physiology
• Rehabilitation Science

Background:

• High-intensity training increases upper extremity muscle growth but poses a higher risk of joint, ligament, or tendon injury.
• Low-intensity resistance training is safer but less effective for muscle hypertrophy and more time-consuming.
• Blood flow restriction (BFR) training presents a method to achieve high-intensity training benefits with low-intensity safety.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze recent literature (past 10 years) on the efficacy of BFR training in the upper extremities.
• To evaluate BFR training's impact on muscle hypertrophy, strength, and endurance in the upper limbs.
• To explore clinical applications and future research directions for BFR training in upper extremity contexts.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature review of studies published within the last 10 years.
• Extensive PubMed search using the term "blood flow restriction training upper extremity."
• Selection of 17 relevant clinical trials from an initial pool of 98 articles.

Main Results:

• BFR training effectively enhances muscle hypertrophy and strength in upper extremity muscles like the biceps brachii and triceps brachii, even at low loads.
• Adaptations were observed in non-occluded muscles proximal and contralateral to the BFR cuff.
• Clinical applications identified include postoperative recovery, rotator cuff injury rehabilitation, and tendinopathy treatment.

Conclusions:

• BFR training is a viable and effective alternative to high-load resistance training for the upper extremities.
• The technique offers significant potential for rehabilitation and injury prevention strategies.
• Further research is needed to determine long-term effects, optimize protocols, and broaden BFR training applications.