Efficacy of blood flow-restricted, low-load resistance training in women with risk factors for symptomatic knee osteoarthritis

Segal NA, et al. · PM&R

BFR nearly doubled strength gains vs low-load alone (1RM +28.3 vs +15.6 kg, p=0.039; isokinetic extensor strength p=0.005) without provoking knee pain. Strength stimulus without heavy joint load in an at-risk population.

Population

40 women over 45 with risk factors for symptomatic knee OA

Intervention

4 weeks leg-press at 30% 1RM with BFR

Comparator

Same low-load training without BFR

Limitations

Short (4 weeks), women only, no symptom/structural endpoints; a parallel study in men was less conclusive.