We at the BFR PROS recommend blood flow restriction (BFR) be used with low-intensity exercise (either aerobic or resistance training), as prior research (Laurentino, 2008) has indicated no additional benefit of BFR to heavy loads, likely due to the already heightened muscle activation and slow movement speeds inherent to lifting & 70% 1-rep max. However, a peculiar new study by Wang et al. (2022) challenges our commonly held beliefs on the topic. Let’s look at what they did and speculate on potential explanations for their findings.

The research on blood flow restriction is continuing to accelerate at a rapid, near exponential rate!

If you’ve followed the BFR Pros for any amount of time, you are likely familiar with the Pillars of blood flow restriction training. Bergamasco (2021) provided the first support for the superiority of the progressions through the BFR training pillars (Pillar 1 -> 3) and why it’s important to try to have our patients exercise dynamically as soon as possible.

One of the themes here at The BFR Pros is that we never look at a patient and think, “How can I use BFR with this person?” Rather, we think, “Can BFR be a tool that can help this person get back to his/her specific goals?” This paradigm was foundational to the treatment of the woman featured in this BFR success story.

Today we are going to talk about a very recent study validating the Smart Cuff Pro Generation 3 to Doppler ultrasound!

Part 2 of the case of a 25-year-old Dutch recreational soccer player who suffered an ACL rupture.

Part 2 of the case of a 25-year-old Dutch recreational soccer player who suffered an ACL rupture, meniscal tear, and multiple surgeries.

It is known that BFR pressure (BFRP) needs to be individualized and adequate to partially limit arterial blood (Patterson et al., 2019), however there are no clear recommendations for BFRP prescription (Clarkson et al., 2020) and no specific recommendation of whether BFRP should be adjusted. Part 2 is all about results, conclusions, takeaways, and practical applications.

It is known that BFR pressure (BFRP) needs to be individualized and adequate to partially limit arterial blood (Patterson et al., 2019), however there are no clear recommendations for BFRP prescription (Clarkson et al., 2020) and no specific recommendation of whether BFRP should be adjusted.

As promised, here is part two of our dive into the exercise pressor reflex (EPR).

A barrier to the widespread implementation of BFR exercise, especially in the elderly and those with obesity as well as cardiovascular conditions is the exaggerated cardiovascular response to exercise, specifically the exercise pressor reflex (EPR).

Today, we are showcasing an individual who was preparing for the police academy, but was plagued by severe knee pain. Steve needed to be in the best shape of his life from a strength and endurance stand point or his dreams of service to his community were going to be out of reach.

I know what you’re thinking…Nick Licameli and the BFR Pros have sold out to click bait titles. There’s no way we can slap some cuffs on grandma and expect things to go well.

Today we are showcasing an actual thunder god! That’s right! Today we are talking about none other than Thor himself!

Today we start our story two years down the road from Part 1.  We got your taste buds singing in Part 1 and now you’re hungry for more. Well you’re in luck my evidence-based epistemological friend!  Here’s Part 2!  Eat up! 

Do these studies prove that low load BFR training is a cure for tendinopathies? No. Do they allow us to think more deeply about our thinking around tendinopathies? You bet.

Think passive BFR is boring? You won’t after reading this two-part blog post!

Think passive BFR is boring? You won’t after reading this two-part blog post!

In our success story today, we meet a 60-year-old grandmother of three (all under 3 years old!) who insidiously went from being a marathon runner to an overweight sedentary version of herself. Then…a yearly physical and some blood work led to a drastic change of perspective and lit the flames of change!

Today we’re answering the age-old question…when should we start BFR training following surgery? After adequate screening for DVT risk, when should we slap on some cuffs? Let’s dive in!