Blood Flow-Restricted Training in Older Adults: A Narrative Review

Abstract

Low-intensity resistance training (LI-RT) combined with blood flow restriction (BFR) is an alternative to traditional moderate–high-intensity resistance training to increase strength and muscle mass. However, the evidence about the efficacy of this novel training method to increase strength and muscle mass in healthy and older adults with pathologies is limited. Furthermore, the possible risk and adverse effects with BFR training methodology in older adults should be considered. (1) To summarize the current evidence on training with BFR strategies in older adults aiming to improve strength and to increase muscle mass; and (2) to provide recommendations for resistance and aerobic training with BFR in older adults based on the studies reviewed. Studies that investigated the chronic responses to resistance training or aerobic training with BFR related to strength and muscle mass changes in older adults were identified. Two independent researchers conducted the search in PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases from their inception up to November 1, 2018. Seventeen out of 35 studies, which performed resistance or aerobic training with BFR in older adults focused on strength and muscle mass outcomes, were included in this review. Studies performing resistance and aerobic training with BFR found better improvements in strength and higher increase in muscle mass compared to non-BFR groups that performed the same training protocol. High-intensity resistance training (HI-RT) without BFR provided greater improvements in strength and a similar increase in muscle mass compared to light-intensity resistance training (LI-RT) with BFR. Current evidence suggests that LI-RT and/or aerobic training with BFR improves strength and increases muscle mass in older people. Light-intensity training without BFR would normally not obtain such benefits. Therefore, LI-RT and aerobic training with BFR is an alternative to traditional methods to improve strength and by way of an increase in muscle mass, which are important in the elderly who have progressive muscle atrophy and are at higher risk of falls.