Blood flow restriction therapy with exercise are no better than exercise alone in improving athletic performance, muscle strength, and hypertrophy: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Background The benefits of Blood Flow Restriction Therapy (BFRT) have gained attention in recent times. Objective This review aimed to evaluate the immediate (up to 24 hours), intermediate (up to 6 weeks), and long term (6–10 weeks) effects of BFRT plus exercises (EX) compared to EX only on athletic performance (sprint and jump performance), muscle strength, and hypertrophy in athletes and physically active population. Methods A literature search was conducted to select randomized controlled trials across four electronic databases from inception till April 2021. The search yielded twenty-seven studies in total. Results Based on eligibility criteria, twenty-one studies were analyzed. No differences were found between both groups for immediate (standardized mean difference [SMD] −0.02, 95% confidence interval [CI] −0.31, 0.27) and long-term effects (SMD −0.30, 95%CI −0.90, 0.30) on sprint performance. For jump performance, no significant effect was observed immediately (SMD −0.02 (95% CI −1.06, 1.02) and long term (SMD −0.40 (95% CI −1.46, 0.67). Similarly, muscle torque at intermediate (SMD 0.90 (95% CI −1.01, 2.81) and long term (SMD −0.54 (95% CI −1.19, 0.12), muscle strength at intermediate (SMD 1.12 (95% CI 0.20, 2.04), and long term (SMD −0.07 (95% CI −0.56, 0.42) also showed non-significant effects. Muscle hypertrophy at intermediate (SMD 0.16 (95% CI −0.31, 0.63) and long term (SMD −0.20 (95% CI −0.90, 0.50) were not statistically significant. Conclusions There was no significant difference observed in BFRT plus EX group compared to the EX-group on athletic performance, muscle strength, and muscle hypertrophy.