BFRT – BLOOD FLOW RESTRICTION TRAINING

Therapists

You are right here!

  • if you want to train effectively despite an injury (we also use BFTR as part of physiotherapy)

  • if you have a busy training routine as an athlete and want to integrate additional sessions without high regenerative costs

Why BFRT?

In rehabilitation, BFRT can help you train hard despite injuries and maintain or even build up important muscles. The venous return flow is limited with special cuffs. This has the advantage that even very low weights can be used to provide an effective training stimulus, which can be used to build up strength and muscles just as well as heavy weight training, especially after injuries and at an older age. BFRT is therefore ideal for building up muscles again after an injury and protecting joints and passive structures.

BFRT is also popular with (competitive) athletes who want to improve their performance without harming their recovery. BFRT allows you to start strength training again earlier and thus speed up your rehabilitation.

How can I integrate BFRT into my training or rehab?

At the start of each training session, your individual occlusion pressure is measured using pressure sensors in the cuff. During the exercise, the blood supply is then reduced by 50-80%. This lack of oxygen in the muscle, known as hypoxia, leads to severe muscle work and fatigue even at low weights.

For optimum results, a BFRT should be carried out 2-3 times a week over a period of 8-12 weeks.
In addition to supervised sessions with us, we also offer you the opportunity to use our equipment independently on site after an initial training session.

When is BFRT useful?

  • If you can’t train hard enough to build strength and muscle mass due to an injury

  • During rehabilitation after an operation or in preparation for an operation

    Examples of injuries/surgeries:

    • Cruciate ligament injuries/ ACL surgeries
    • Tendon irritation/tendinopathies (jumper’s knee, Achilles tendon irritation, tennis elbow)
    • Knee and hip prosthesis/ K-TEP, H-TEP
    • Knee arthrosis/gonarthrosis, hip joint arthrosis
    • Achilles tendon ruptures
    • Rotator cuff refixations
    • Various fractures/fractures

  • If you are weakened due to illness or age (sarcopenia) and find it difficult to build up strength and muscle mass

  • Your heart rate and blood pressure increase in a similar way to classic strength training. A healthy cardiovascular system is therefore an important prerequisite for BFRT.

Is BFRT safe?

Various studies show that BFRT is a safe form of training!
We use a medical product: the Delfi Medical System
All our physiotherapists are trained and experienced in the use of BFRT.

Sources:

Centner, C., Zdzieblik, D., Roberts, L., Gollhofer, A., & König, D. (2019). Effects of Blood Flow Restriction Training with Protein Supplementation on Muscle Mass And Strength in Older Men. Journal of sports science & medicine, 18(3), 471-478.

Ferraz, R. B., Gualano, B., Rodrigues, R., Kurimori, C. O., Fuller, R., Lima, F. R., DE Sá-Pinto, A. L., & Roschel, H. (2018). Benefits of Resistance Training with Blood Flow Restriction in Knee Osteoarthritis. Medicine and science in sports and exercise, 50(5), 897-905. https://doi.org/10.1249/MSS.0000000000001530

Hughes, L., Paton, B., Rosenblatt, B., Gissane, C., & Patterson, S. D. (2017). Blood flow restriction training in clinical musculoskeletal rehabilitation: a systematic review and meta-analysis. British journal of sports medicine, 51(13), 1003-1011. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2016-097071

Hughes, L., Rosenblatt, B., Haddad, F., Gissane, C., McCarthy, D., Clarke, T., Ferris, G., Dawes, J., Paton, B., & Patterson, S. D. (2019). Comparing the Effectiveness of Blood Flow Restriction and Traditional Heavy Load Resistance Training in the Post-Surgery Rehabilitation of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Patients: A UK National Health Service Randomized Controlled Trial. Sports medicine (Auckland, N.Z.), 49(11), 1787-1805. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-019-01137-2

Li, R., Chee, C. S., Kamalden, T. F., Ramli, A. S., & Yang, K. (2024). Effects of blood flow restriction training on sports performance in athletes: a systematic review with meta-analysis. The Journal of sports medicine and physical fitness, 64(1), 55-65. https://doi.org/10.23736/S0022-4707.23.15220-0

Wortman, R. J., Brown, S. M., Savage-Elliott, I., Finley, Z. J., & Mulcahey, M. K. (2021). Blood Flow Restriction Training for Athletes: A Systematic Review. The American journal of sports medicine, 49(7), 1938-1944. https://doi.org/10.1177/0363546520964454