Effect of 12-Week Resistance Training with Blood Flow Restriction on Arterial Stiffness in Octogenarian People with Low Gait Speed: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Aim: Aging is associated with loss of muscle mass and strength. Low-Intensity Resistance Exercise with Moderate Blood-Flow Restriction (LIRE-BFR) improves these outcomes, but the long-term effect on arterial stiffness and safety in elderly people with low gait speed is unknown. Methods: This is a parallel, randomized controlled clinical study with 12 older adults (3 men; 9 women; 84.0 [76.0; 87.5] years old) who completed a 12-week training of traditional resistance exercise (TRE; n=6) or LIRE-BFR (n=6). All participants were evaluated at baseline and after 12 weeks by carotid-femoral aortic Pulse Wave Velocity (PWV). Results: After 12 weeks of interventions, PWV decreased in TRE group (-2.9 [-8.1; 2.4] m/s) and increased slightly in LIRE-BFR group (1.1 [-3.2; 5.3] m/s) but no differences were observed between the groups (p=0.21 for group; Hedge’s g: 0.52). Mean blood pressure was similar between TRE (86.2 [81.8; 90.9] to 85.8 [76.5; 96.3] mmHg) and LIRE-BFR (92.4 [82.1; 103.9] to 85.5 [79.2; 92.4] mmHg, p=0.462 for interaction). Gait speed increased significantly after 12 weeks in both groups (p<0.001 for time) with no differences between them (p=0.693 for groups). Conclusions: Compared to TRE, LIRE-BFR increased PWV slightly, while gait speed increased similarly in both training modalities. Larger clinical trials including elderly people with low gait speed are needed to determine the clinical impact of these findings.