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SYSTEMATIC REVIEW article

Front. Physiol.
Sec. Exercise Physiology
Volume 15 - 2024 | doi: 10.3389/fphys.2024.1506386

Effects of Aerobic Training with Blood Flow Restriction on Aerobic Capacity, Muscle Strength, and Hypertrophy in Young Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Provisionally accepted
Zhendong Gao Zhendong Gao 1Yan Li Yan Li 2Jinjin Zhang Jinjin Zhang 3Liqiang Li Liqiang Li 4Tao Wang Tao Wang 1Xiaolin Wang Xiaolin Wang 1Hao Wang Hao Wang 5*
  • 1 Putra Malaysia University, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
  • 2 Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu Province, China
  • 3 Xi'an Peihua University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
  • 4 Xizang Minzu University, Xianyang, Shaanxi Province, China
  • 5 Shenyang Medical College, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China

The final, formatted version of the article will be published soon.

    Aerobic training with blood flow restriction (AT-BFR) has shown promise in enhancing both aerobic capacity and exercise performance. The aim of this review was to systematically analyze the evidence regarding the effectiveness of this novel training method on aerobic capacity, muscle strength, and hypertrophy in young adults. Studies were identified through a search of databases including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, SPORTDiscus, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, and EMBASE. A total of 16 studies, involving 270 subjects, were included in the meta-analysis. The results revealed that AT-BFR induced greater improvements in VO2max (SMD = 0.27, 95%CI: [0.02, 0.52], p < 0.05), and muscle strength (SMD = 0.39, 95%CI: [0.09, 0.69], p < 0.05), compared to aerobic training with no blood flow restriction (AT-noBFR). However, no significant effect was observed on muscle mass (SMD = 0.23, 2 95%CI: [-0.09, 0.56], p = 0.162). Furthermore, no moderating effects on the outcomes were found for individual characteristics or training factors. In conclusion, AT-BFR is more effective than AT-noBFR in improving aerobic capacity and muscle strength, making it a promising alternative to high-intensity training.

    Keywords: blood flow restriction 1, aerobic training 2, aerobic capacity 3, muscle strength 4, muscle hypertrophy 5

    Received: 05 Oct 2024; Accepted: 23 Dec 2024.

    Copyright: © 2024 Gao, Li, Zhang, Li, Wang, Wang and Wang. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

    * Correspondence: Hao Wang, Shenyang Medical College, Shenyang, 110034, Liaoning Province, China

    Disclaimer: All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.