Blood-Flow Restriction Training

Blood-flow restriction training (BFR) is a technique utilized to provide the benefits of high intensity exercise (strength, power, hypertrophy) when applied to exercise intensities that are insufficient to produce these benefits without BFR. The technique involves the application of an occlusive cuff (similar in design to a blood pressure cuff) over the limb of an individual that is set to occlude arterial blood flow at a given percentage during exercise. BFR has demonstrated increased strength and muscle hypertrophy compared to control interventions in various populations including: healthy subjects, athletes, post-surgery, clinical rehabilitation, and older adults. Most research on BFR has been conducted on single joint exercises and not exercises that exhibit more complex movements typically associated with daily activities. The early evidence of complex exercises combined with BFR suggests that strength and hypertrophy both improve, however more research needs to be conducted. The purpose of this project is to determine if four weeks of BFR training combined with approach rowing and deadlifts increases strength, power, aerobic capacity, and muscle size. These results will be compared to an isovolumetric control.