In a Healthy D-III Population, Is Blood Flow Restriction More Effective for Increasing Quadriceps Strength Compared to Concentric Resistance Training?

Author

Conner R. Ruff, Otterbein UniversityFollow

Date of Award

Spring 5-4-2025

Document Type

Thesis

First Committee Member

Angelo Lamatrice

Advisor

Joe Wilkins

Keywords

Blood Flow Restriction, Quadricep, Strength, Concentric Exercise

Subject Categories

Higher Education | Physical Therapy | Rehabilitation and Therapy

Abstract

Strength is an important factor in the prevention of injuries. However, strength can decrease for numerous reasons, such as age, chronic injuries, or acute injuries. In recent years, Blood flow restriction (BFR) has been used as a modality to increase a patient’s strength gain while utilizing a low load of weight. However, in most research, BFR has been used concurrently with conventional strength training or compared to concentric training in the treatment of an injured population. This study looked at the effect of BFR on a healthy Division III (DIII) collegiate student population and its effectiveness in increasing quadriceps strength compared to standardized concentric training. This research was conducted as a randomized controlled trial. Students who met the inclusion criteria were randomly assigned to either single-limb blood flow restriction (SL-BFR) resistance training with 6 subjects or single-limb (SL) concentric resistance training with 6 subjects. Their pre-test one rep maximum for single-leg leg extension (SLE)and single-leg leg press (SLP) was recorded. Both groups participated in an 8-week quadriceps strengthening program. The BFR group had a limb occlusion pressure (LOP) of 70%, and their training load was set at 30% of their one-rep maximum. At the end of the 8 weeks of training, the BFR and control group re-tested their one-rep maximum on the SLE and the SLP. The BFR and control group both showed an increase in quadricep strength on both SLE and SLP. The results of the study showed that BFR was able to increase one-rep maximum strength in the single-leg extension and single-leg leg press, similar to standard concentric training.

Licensing Permission

Copyright, all rights reserved. Fair Use

Acknowledgement 1

1

Acknowledgement 2

1

Recommended Citation

Ruff, Conner R., "In a Healthy D-III Population, Is Blood Flow Restriction More Effective for Increasing Quadriceps Strength Compared to Concentric Resistance Training?" (2025). Masters Theses/Capstone Projects. 139.
https://digitalcommons.otterbein.edu/stu_master/139