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 Randomised Controlled Trial

Hughes L, et al. · Sports Medicine

Both groups roughly doubled injured-limb strength (~104-106% gains) with similar hypertrophy; BFR produced greater improvements in function, range of motion (78% vs 48%) and larger reductions in knee pain and effusion. Low joint load did not mean inferior recovery.

Population

28 ACL-reconstruction patients (24 completed), UK NHS

Intervention

8 weeks leg-press at 30% 1RM with BFR, twice weekly

Comparator

Heavy-load training at 70% 1RM

Limitations

Small, single-site, ACL (not cartilage-repair) population; 8-week horizon.