Title : Efficacy of Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) exercise on upper and lower limb lean muscle thickness, core strength, and physical fitness in physically inactive undergraduates: A randomized controlled
Abstract:
This study investigates the efficacy of Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) training in improving physical fitness, muscle thickness, and core strength among physically inactive Chinese students. Surface ElectroMyoGraphy (EMG) and MusculoSKeletal (MSK) ultrasound will be used to measure muscle activation and assessed muscle thickness changes following BFR training. This research aims to expand current knowledge regarding BFR training applications in healthy, non-athletic young adult populations. This randomized controlled trial investigates the effects of BFR training on physical fitness, lean muscle thickness, and core strength in healthy, physically inactive undergraduate Chinese students. 30 participants were randomly assigned to either a BFR training group (15) or a control group (15) following similar exercise protocols. Outcomes were measured using surface EMG for muscle activity and MSK ultrasound for lean muscle thickness and physical fitness was assessed using different physical tests (grip strength testing, circumference measurement, standing long jump, 100-meter sprint, pull-ups, abdominal curl). The study found that BFR training led to significant post-intervention improvements in lean muscle thickness, neuromuscular activity (particularly in the gastrocnemius), and physical performance metrics such as grip strength, sprint times, and abdominal endurance compared to the control group. While both groups showed some gains, the BFR group demonstrated broader and more robust adaptations, highlighting its potential efficacy for enhancing strength and performance outcomes. These findings highlight BFR’s potential as a time-efficient intervention for improving muscle thickness, core strength and physical fitness in inactive populations, offering actionable insights for integrating BFR into fitness programs within academic and community settings.
