TY - JOUR
T1 - The Efficacy of Blood Flow Restriction Training to Improve Quadriceps Muscle Function after ACL Reconstruction
AU - Erickson, Lauren N.
AU - Owen, Meredith K.
AU - Casadonte, Kelsey R.
AU - Janatova, Tereza
AU - Lucas, Kathryn
AU - Spencer, Kylie
AU - Brightwell, Benjamin D.
AU - Graham, Megan C.
AU - White, McKenzie
AU - Thomas, Nicholas T.
AU - Latham, Christine M.
AU - Jacobs, Cale
AU - Conley, Caitlin
AU - Thompson, Kathryn L.
AU - Johnson, Darren L.
AU - Hardy, Peter
AU - Fry, Christopher
AU - Noehren, Brian
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
Copyright © 2024 by the American College of Sports Medicine.
PY - 2024
Y1 - 2024
N2 - Background Blood flow restriction training (BFRT) is a popular rehabilitation intervention after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). However, there are a lack of clinical trials establishing the efficacy of using BFRT during rehabilitation to improve quadriceps muscle function. Purpose To evaluate the efficacy of blood flow restriction training to improve quadriceps muscle strength, morphology, and physiology, and knee biomechanics in individuals after ACLR in a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial (NCT03364647). Methods 48 athletes (20 females/28 males) were randomly assigned to low-load strength training with active BFRT or standard of care strength training with a sham unit. Treatment occurred for 1-month pre-surgery and 4-5 months post-surgery with both groups following the same standard rehabilitation protocol. Outcome variables were measured at baseline and 4-5 months post-surgery. Quadriceps muscle strength (isometric and isokinetic peak torque and rate of torque development) was measured on an isokinetic dynamometer. Quadriceps muscle morphology (physiological cross-sectional area, fibrosis) was determined using magnetic resonance imaging. Quadriceps muscle physiology (fiber type, fiber cross-sectional area, satellite cell abundance, collagen content, fibro-/adipo-genic progenitor cells) was evaluated with muscle biopsies of the vastus lateralis. Knee extensor moment and knee flexion angle were measured via three-dimensional gait analysis. Change scores were calculated as: post-intervention-baseline. Two sample t-tests were then used to assess between-group differences for each outcome variable. Results No significant between-group differences were found for any outcome variable. Conclusions The addition of BFRT to a rehabilitation program for athletes pre- and post- ACLR was no more effective than standard rehabilitation for improving quadriceps muscle function. Clinicians should consider the value of BFRT relative to the cost, time, and discomfort for patients in light of these results.
AB - Background Blood flow restriction training (BFRT) is a popular rehabilitation intervention after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). However, there are a lack of clinical trials establishing the efficacy of using BFRT during rehabilitation to improve quadriceps muscle function. Purpose To evaluate the efficacy of blood flow restriction training to improve quadriceps muscle strength, morphology, and physiology, and knee biomechanics in individuals after ACLR in a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial (NCT03364647). Methods 48 athletes (20 females/28 males) were randomly assigned to low-load strength training with active BFRT or standard of care strength training with a sham unit. Treatment occurred for 1-month pre-surgery and 4-5 months post-surgery with both groups following the same standard rehabilitation protocol. Outcome variables were measured at baseline and 4-5 months post-surgery. Quadriceps muscle strength (isometric and isokinetic peak torque and rate of torque development) was measured on an isokinetic dynamometer. Quadriceps muscle morphology (physiological cross-sectional area, fibrosis) was determined using magnetic resonance imaging. Quadriceps muscle physiology (fiber type, fiber cross-sectional area, satellite cell abundance, collagen content, fibro-/adipo-genic progenitor cells) was evaluated with muscle biopsies of the vastus lateralis. Knee extensor moment and knee flexion angle were measured via three-dimensional gait analysis. Change scores were calculated as: post-intervention-baseline. Two sample t-tests were then used to assess between-group differences for each outcome variable. Results No significant between-group differences were found for any outcome variable. Conclusions The addition of BFRT to a rehabilitation program for athletes pre- and post- ACLR was no more effective than standard rehabilitation for improving quadriceps muscle function. Clinicians should consider the value of BFRT relative to the cost, time, and discomfort for patients in light of these results.
KW - BLOOD FLOW RESTRICTION
KW - KNEE
KW - QUADRICEPS STRENGTH
KW - REHABILITATION
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U2 - 10.1249/MSS.0000000000003573
DO - 10.1249/MSS.0000000000003573
M3 - Article
C2 - 39350350
AN - SCOPUS:85206324072
SN - 0195-9131
JO - Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise
JF - Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise
M1 - 10.1249/MSS.0000000000003573
ER -