Date of Award
5-1-2022
Degree Type
DPT Project
Degree Name
Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)
Advisor
Kevin Browne
Abstract
Introduction: Blood flow restriction (BFR) is a novel training method that has gained recent popularity given the benefits and similar results to resistance training (RT) with lower intensities. The authors of this systematic review sought to determine the acute hemodynamic effects of BFR plus RT compared to RT alone in women over 40 years old.
Methods: The databases searched included Pubmed, EBSCO (Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINHAL), SPORTDiscuss, Medline, Academic Search Complete) and Cochrane. Keywords utilized included BFR, occlusion therapy, female, older female, women, older women, RT, hemodynamic, blood pressure, and the boolean phrase utilized was “AND.” Inclusion criteria included women aged 40 or older, BFR, RT, or a combination, assessment of cardiovascular responses, randomized controlled trial (RCT) or non-RCT for studies on acute responses. Exclusion criteria included chronic outcome measures, no data on subjects over 40 years old, different modes of exercise, and any confounding factors. After thorough screening by 4 independent reviewers, 15 articles were kept for qualitative synthesis. The Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale was utilized for methodological quality assessment.
Results: The main findings of this systematic review include BFR+RT having a significant decrease in systolic blood pressure up to 60 minutes for hypertensive subjects, with varying results for RT. No significant differences were found for BFR+RT and RT in diastolic blood pressure up to 60 minutes post-exercise for normotensive and hypertensive subjects. Mean arterial pressure showed significant increase in BFR+RT and RT in normotensive subjects immediately post-exercise. Similar results were found for heart rate immediately post-exercise in hypertensive subjects for each intervention.
Discussion: This systematic review demonstrated that BFR+RT might promote post-exercise hypotension for up to 60 minutes, similar to RT. Given that high intensity RT can be contraindicated for certain cardiovascular conditions, this may provide an alternative way to maintain stable hemodynamic variables. Conclusion: Continued research is warranted to examine the effects of BFR training on acute cardiovascular responses in this population to establish safe and effective parameters during physical therapy rehabilitation.
Recommended Citation
Castro, Larissa; Castro, Roger; Constante, Michelle; and Lerma, Seles, "Acute Hemodynamic Responses in Women Older Than 40 Years Old Following Resistance Training with Blood Flow Restriction Compared To Resistance Training Alone: A Systematic Review" (2022). DPT Capstones. 5.
https://scholarworks.utep.edu/dpt_cap/5