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Olympic Athletes Are Into Blood Flow Restriction Training - Everyday Health

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“During competition, especially during a long competition like the Olympics, some athletes have either a long break between events or games or must wait awhile before their first competition day. They might choose to use BFR in order to keep their muscles, and minds, feeling strong, while limiting the stress on their joints and thus trying to limit injury,” Gardner says.

But others beyond top-level athletes stand to benefit from BFR.

Gardner explains that it may be an effective technique to build strength and muscle mass in patients with chronic pain who are not able to tolerate higher loads on their body. “Patients with chronic conditions that cause muscle loss, such as HIV/AIDS and COPD, may also benefit, although this must be discussed with the patient’s medical provider in order to prevent complications,” she says. A review published in Frontiers in Physiology in August 2019 concluded that BFR training yielded various benefits to older adults, those at greater risk of falls, and people with kidney disease, musculoskeletal issues, and various types of osteoarthritis.

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There are potential risks associated with BFR training if it’s not done properly, says Drew Contreras, a doctor of physical therapy and the vice president of clinician integration and innovation at the American Physical Therapy Association. “If BFR is done without proper equipment and guidance, there can be permanent damage to muscle and blood vessels,” says Contreras.

More specifically, improper cuff width, too much restriction pressure on the tourniquet, and improper placement of the cuff can all cause complications, including soft tissue damage, numbness [from nerve injury], and pain, Gardner says. “It is crucial to do this with a trained healthcare professional, like a physical therapist.”

Unless you’re young and athletic, it’s a good idea to check with your doctor before trying BFR. Additionally, if you’ve recently undergone surgery, you have an underlying medical condition (particularly ones that can affect baseline blood flow to the extremities, like heart disease or peripheral vascular disease), or you’re an older adult, talk with your doctor before considering BFR training, Contreras says.

Gardner notes that people who should generally not use BFR include (but are not limited to) those with current or past blood clots, a diagnosis of a blood clotting disorder, bleeding disorders (including thrombophilia), and infections within the involved limb, as well as women who are pregnant.

The Bottom Line: Should You Try Blood Flow Restriction Training?

In the hands of an experienced practitioner, BFR training can be a useful tool to support musculoskeletal rehabilitation for injury recovery — and to support strength and muscular conditioning training for athletes and some patients with chronic conditions.

“Any athlete could potentially benefit from blood flow restriction training,” says Gardner. “Almost all Olympic athletes include strength training in their preparation, and thus there is a way in which blood flow restriction could be incorporated.”

She does note that if it BFR is used, it should be part of a multimodal approach, including other forms of exercise, resistance training, and aerobic training. And in order to be safe, as well as reap maximum benefit, it is important that the evolving practice guidelines for blood flow restriction be followed under the guidance of a skilled physical therapist or physician.

If you want to try BFR, Aueron suggests consulting with your physician and a physical therapist who has formal training in BFR who could help you decide whether BFR may be a safe and effective therapy to add to your athletic or rehabilitation program.

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