Blood flow restriction (BFR) therapy occludes venous outflow while restricting arterial inflow by the application of an extremity tourniquet. This ultimately reduces oxygen delivery to muscle cells during low-resistance exercises. The induced anaerobic environment has been reported to promote muscle hypertrophy by initiating cell signaling and hormonal changes that stimulate protein synthesis, proliferation of myogenic satellite cells, and preferential activation and mobilization of type II muscle fibers. When BFR is used as an adjunct to postoperative rehabilitation, it has been suggested that exercises performed at lower loads (20%-50% of 1 repetition maximum) can promote muscle hypertrophy similar to traditional strengthening protocols while reducing pain and adverse joint loading.
It is the application of a specialized tourniquet system to a proximal arm or leg, which is inflated, to a personalized and specific pressure to reduce blood flow to an exercising extremity. The application is brief and intermittent, typically about 6 minutes per exercise, but can last up to 30 minutes based on the specific protocol. With PBFR, you can create significant strength and hypertrophy gains with loads as low as 20% 1RM.
The exact mechanism behind the positive results seen with PBFR is still being extensively researched. Theories range from a significant build up of metabolites by anaerobic metabolism, a systemic anabolic response and cellular swelling. It is most likely a combination of multiple factors. It appears that muscle protein synthesis plays a primary role, as has been consistently demonstrated in the literature.
Personalized blood flow restriction rehabilitation training (PBFR) is a game-changing injury recovery therapy that is producing dramatically positive results:
- Diminish atrophy and loss of strength from disuse and non-weight bearing after injuries
- Increase strength with only 30% loads
- Increase hypertrophy with only 30% loads
- Improve muscle endurance in 1/3 the time
- Improve muscle protein synthesis in the elderly
- Improve strength and hypertrophy after surgery
- Improve muscle activation
- Increase growth hormone responses
The PTS for PBFR device is specifically designed to safely regulate and control tourniquet pressure for PBFR applications and includes advanced personalization and safety features.