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Magnitude of Muscle Strength and Mass Adaptations Between High-Load Resistance Training Versus Low-Load Resistance Training Associated with Blood-Flow Restriction: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

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Abstract

Background

Low-load resistance training (< 50% of one-repetition maximum [1RM]) associated with blood-flow restriction (BFR-RT) has been thought to promote increases in muscle strength and mass. However, it remains unclear if the magnitude of these adaptations is similar to conventional high-load resistance training (> 65% 1RM; HL-RT).

Objective

To compare the effects of HL- versus BFR-RT on muscle adaptations using a systematic review and meta-analysis procedure.

Methods

Studies were identified via electronic databases based on the following inclusion criteria: (a) pre- and post-training assessment of muscular strength; (b) pre- and post-training assessment of muscle hypertrophy; (c) comparison of HL-RT vs. BFR-RT; (d) score ≥ 4 on PEDro scale; (e) means and standard deviations (or standard errors) are reported from absolute values or allow estimation from graphs. If this last criterion was not met, data were directly requested from the authors.

Results

The main results showed higher increases in muscle strength for HL- as compared with BFR-RT, even when considering test specificity, absolute occlusion pressure, cuff width, and occlusion pressure prescription. Regarding the hypertrophic response, results revealed similar effects between HL- and BFR-RT, regardless of the absolute occlusion pressure, cuff width, and occlusion pressure prescription.

Conclusions

Based on the present data, maximum muscle strength may be optimized by specific training methods (i.e., HL-RT) while both HL- and BFR-RT seem equally effective in increasing muscle mass. Importantly, BFR-RT is a valid and effective approach for increasing muscle strength in a wide spectrum of ages and physical capacity, although it may seem particularly of interest for those individuals with physical limitations to engage in HL-RT.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Physical Education and Sport, University of Sao Paulo, Av. Prof. Mello Moraes, 65, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil

    Manoel E. Lixandrão, Carlos Ugrinowitsch, Ricardo Berton, Felipe C. Vechin, Miguel S. Conceição, Felipe Damas & Hamilton Roschel

  2. Laboratory of Neuromuscular Adaptations to Resistance Training, Department of Physical Education, Federal University of Sao Carlos, Sao Carlos, Brazil

    Cleiton A. Libardi

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  1. Manoel E. Lixandrão
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Correspondence to Hamilton Roschel.

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Funding

The authors are grateful to Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) for financial support and Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa (FAPESP). Manoel Lixandrão is supported by CNPq and FAPESP (141733/2016-0 and 2016/22635-6, respectively). Hamilton Roschel is supported by CNPq and FAPESP (307023/2014-1 and 2016/10993-5, respectively). Carlos Ugrinowitsch is supported by CNPq (304205/2011-7 and 2016/09759-8, respectively).

Conflict of interest

Manoel Lixandrão, Carlos Ugrinowitsch, Ricardo Berton, Felipe Vechin, Miguel Conceição, Felipe Damas, Cleiton Libardi, and Hamilton Roschel declare that they have no conflicts of interest relevant to the content of this review.

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Lixandrão, M.E., Ugrinowitsch, C., Berton, R. et al. Magnitude of Muscle Strength and Mass Adaptations Between High-Load Resistance Training Versus Low-Load Resistance Training Associated with Blood-Flow Restriction: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Sports Med 48, 361–378 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-017-0795-y

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