Elbow flexion training with blood flow restriction improves strength, proprioception, and performance in healthy...

Evidence on the effects of exercise training with blood flow restriction (BFR) on upper extremity proprioception and performance is limited. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of 6 weeks of low-load elbow flexion exercise training with BFR on upper extremity strength, joint position sense (JPS), and functional performance.

Sixty healthy individuals were randomized into the experimental group (n = 30) which received low-load training with BFR or the control group (n = 30) which received no training. Elbow muscle strength, shoulder and elbow JPS, and upper extremity functional motor performance [Closed Kinetic Chain Upper Extremity Stability Test (CKCUEST), Functional Throwing Performance Index (FTPI), Single Arm Shot Put Test (SASPT), and Modified Pull-Up Test (MPUT)] were assessed. For normally distributed data, Two-way ANOVA [2 × 2, group (between-participant) X time (within-participant), repeated measures] was used to determine the intervention effects on dependent variables. F value was used based on sphericity assumed. We considered the time-group interaction term in analyses. For non-normally distributed data, we used the Wilcoxon Signed-rank Test to examine the changes in individual groups for the relevant results and the Mann-Whitney U Test to compare changes between two-time intervals between the groups.

Time by Group showed significant effects for the results of flexor strength, CKCUEST, FTPI, and MPUT in favor of the experimental group (all p < 0.001). The extensor strength, JPS, and SASPT results also improved in the experimental group compared to the control group (p < 0.05). The only change in the control group was a decrease in the FTPI percentile (p = 0.017).

This study adds new information about the effects of BFR on proprioception and performance. Six-week low-load elbow flexion training with BFR improves elbow muscle strength, shoulder and elbow proprioception, and upper extremity functional motor performance.

NCT03401567 (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier) (Registration Date:23/12/2017).