The Effects of Blood Flow Restriction Walking Exercise on Body Composition, Blood Lipid Profiles, Insulin, and Glucagon Levels in Middle-Aged Obese Women: A Pilot Study

Obesity in middle-aged women is associated with increased risks of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and metabolic syndrome. Although conventional aerobic and resistance exercise interventions are effective, participation is often limited by physical and psychological barriers to high-intensity training. Blood flow restriction (BFR) exercise has emerged as a low-intensity alternative that may elicit favorable metabolic adaptations. The purpose of this pilot study was to examine the effects of a 4-week BFR walking program on body composition and metabolic markers, including blood lipid profiles, insulin, and glucagon, in middle-aged obese women. Eleven obese middle-aged women (body mass index ≥ 25 kg/m² and body fat percentage ≥ 30%) participated in a single-group pre–post intervention. Participants performed treadmill walking at a speed of 4 km/h with a 5% incline while pneumatic cuffs were applied to the proximal thighs to induce blood flow restriction. Exercise sessions were conducted twice daily, three times per week, for four weeks. Body composition, blood lipid profiles, insulin, and glucagon levels were assessed before and after the intervention. Within-subject changes were analyzed using paired t-tests. Following the intervention, significant reductions were observed in body weight (–2.35%, <img src=image/19944751_01.gif> < .05), fat mass (–4.60%, <img src=image/19944751_01.gif> < .05), and body mass index (–2.50%, <img src=image/19944751_01.gif> < .05). Free fatty acid (+25.4%, <img src=image/19944751_01.gif> < .01) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (+27.8%, <img src=image/19944751_01.gif> < .001) levels increased significantly. In addition, insulin concentrations decreased (–41.6%, <img src=image/19944751_01.gif> < .05), while glucagon levels increased (+40.7%, <img src=image/19944751_01.gif> < .01). No adverse events were reported during the intervention period. These preliminary findings indicate that low-intensity BFR walking exercise may be a feasible and potentially effective intervention for improving body composition and metabolic markers in middle-aged obese women. Further studies employing larger sample sizes, control groups, and longer intervention durations are warranted to confirm and extend these results.