Blood Flow Restriction Training: A Critically Appraised Topic

Clinical Scenario: In a clinical setting an Achilles Tendon rupture is amongst one of the most detrimental sports injuries an athlete may suffer during practice or competition. Therefore, clinicians are constantly experimenting with new methods to approach the rehabilitation protocols following a surgical intervention. Blood flow restriction (BFR) is a well researched training aid to assist in muscular growth through the uses of mechanical tension and metabolic stress. Summary of Key Findings: Three relevant randomized controlled trial studies were found and categorized based on the Hierarchy of Research Design in Evidence Based Sports Medicine. Based on the research, BFR has been reported to promote anabolic hormones, such as HGH and IGF-1. In essence, muscular hypertrophy is at a greater likelihood of occurrence when BFR is used during training than when it is not used. Therefore, in a clinical setting, BFR has a positive impact on patients following an Achilles Tendon repair in decreasing recovery time, signaling neural communication to the brain, redevelopment of movement patterns, and assisting in the alignment of tissue following surgical intervention. Overall, BFR allows the patient to experience the same effects of resistance training, but a lighter load, and a reduced chance of reinjury. Clinical Question: Will blood flow restriction training assist a patient in gaining muscle hypertrophy, while reducing the amount of time immobilized following reconstructive surgery after an Achilles tendon repair? Clinical Bottom Line: The importance of the study is to provide clinicians the baseline knowledge and understanding if BFR is beneficial to use when designing the rehabilitation protocol for an athlete following the occurrence of an achilles tendon rupture/repair. Through determining the muscular strength and hypertrophy adaptations gained or lost through data collection and data analysis we will be able to determine the reasoning behind the implication of blood flow restriction.