What is Blood-flow restriction?

Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) is the technique of performing exercises with reduced blood flow to the limb. Why use BFR? Anaerobic exercise is one of the best ways to get muscle growth or “hypertrophy”. By definition, anaerobic exercise is any activity that breaks down glucose (sugar) without the need for oxygen. Heavy weight lifting is anaerobic while running is aerobic. Sometimes we need to build strength in an injured extremity. Hypertrophy happens best through intense exercise but that could worsen the injury. That’s where BFR comes in. By restricting blood flow we reduce the amount of oxygen getting to the limb. By performing exercises under this condition we increase its anaerobic function. We can then use this to lighten the stress on the injured limb while still getting hypertrophy.

The following are physical changes that can occur secondary to Blood Flow Restriction Training:

• Improved muscular strength
• Increased muscular cross sectional area
• Prevention of muscular atrophy
• Development of newer and healthier blood vessels
• Decreased risk of cardiovascular disease
• Improved bone mineral density