The effects of blood flow restriction combined with endurance training on athletes' aerobic capacity, lower limb muscle strength, anaerobic power and sports performance: a meta-analysis

Abstract Objective To evaluate the effects of blood flow restriction (BFR) combined with endurance training on aerobic capacity, lower limb muscle strength, anaerobic power, and sports performance to supply effective scientific guidance for training. Two reviewers independently screened the literatu...

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Main Authors: Kuan Dong, Jing Tang, Chengli Xu, Wenliang Gui, Jing Tian, Buongo Chun, Dong Li, Liqing Wang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-02-01
Series:BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s13102-025-01072-y
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author Kuan Dong
Jing Tang
Chengli Xu
Wenliang Gui
Jing Tian
Buongo Chun
Dong Li
Liqing Wang
author_facet Kuan Dong
Jing Tang
Chengli Xu
Wenliang Gui
Jing Tian
Buongo Chun
Dong Li
Liqing Wang
author_sort Kuan Dong
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Objective To evaluate the effects of blood flow restriction (BFR) combined with endurance training on aerobic capacity, lower limb muscle strength, anaerobic power, and sports performance to supply effective scientific guidance for training. Two reviewers independently screened the literature, extracted data, and assessed the risk of bias of the included studies. We searched PubMed, Medline, Cochrane, SPORTDiscus and Web of Science databases up to 28 October 2024. Two reviewers independently screened the literature, extracted data, and assessed the risk of bias of the included studies. We calculated the effect size using standardized mean difference values and the random effects model. The results showed a medium effect size on maximal oxygen uptake (V̇O2max), a large effect size on lower limb muscle strength, a small effect size on anaerobic power and sports performance. In conclusion, while BFR training during endurance training had a significant positive effect on lower limb muscle strength and moderate improvement in V̇O2max, its impact on anaerobic power and sports performance was relatively small. These findings suggest that BFR training may be effective for enhancing muscle strength and aerobic capacity, but its benefits on anaerobic power and sport-specific performance may be limited. Therefore, it is important to carefully design BFR training programs to target specific outcomes.
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issn 2052-1847
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series BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation
spelling doaj-art-39a4ce56e16f4a5ea4a74fcfed0f636f2025-08-20T03:10:51ZengBMCBMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation2052-18472025-02-0117111610.1186/s13102-025-01072-yThe effects of blood flow restriction combined with endurance training on athletes' aerobic capacity, lower limb muscle strength, anaerobic power and sports performance: a meta-analysisKuan Dong0Jing Tang1Chengli Xu2Wenliang Gui3Jing Tian4Buongo Chun5Dong Li6Liqing Wang7School of Physical Education, Central China Normal UniversitySchool of Electrical and Electronic EngineeringHuBei University of TechnologySchool of Physical Education, Central China Normal UniversitySchool of Physical Education, Central China Normal UniversitySchool of Physical Education, Central China Normal UniversityGraduate School of Physical Education, Myongji UniversityShenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua UniversitySchool of Physical Education, Central China Normal UniversityAbstract Objective To evaluate the effects of blood flow restriction (BFR) combined with endurance training on aerobic capacity, lower limb muscle strength, anaerobic power, and sports performance to supply effective scientific guidance for training. Two reviewers independently screened the literature, extracted data, and assessed the risk of bias of the included studies. We searched PubMed, Medline, Cochrane, SPORTDiscus and Web of Science databases up to 28 October 2024. Two reviewers independently screened the literature, extracted data, and assessed the risk of bias of the included studies. We calculated the effect size using standardized mean difference values and the random effects model. The results showed a medium effect size on maximal oxygen uptake (V̇O2max), a large effect size on lower limb muscle strength, a small effect size on anaerobic power and sports performance. In conclusion, while BFR training during endurance training had a significant positive effect on lower limb muscle strength and moderate improvement in V̇O2max, its impact on anaerobic power and sports performance was relatively small. These findings suggest that BFR training may be effective for enhancing muscle strength and aerobic capacity, but its benefits on anaerobic power and sport-specific performance may be limited. Therefore, it is important to carefully design BFR training programs to target specific outcomes.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13102-025-01072-yAerobic capacityBFREndurance trainingMeta-analysisSports performance
spellingShingle Kuan Dong
Jing Tang
Chengli Xu
Wenliang Gui
Jing Tian
Buongo Chun
Dong Li
Liqing Wang
The effects of blood flow restriction combined with endurance training on athletes' aerobic capacity, lower limb muscle strength, anaerobic power and sports performance: a meta-analysis
BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation
Aerobic capacity
BFR
Endurance training
Meta-analysis
Sports performance
title The effects of blood flow restriction combined with endurance training on athletes' aerobic capacity, lower limb muscle strength, anaerobic power and sports performance: a meta-analysis
title_full The effects of blood flow restriction combined with endurance training on athletes' aerobic capacity, lower limb muscle strength, anaerobic power and sports performance: a meta-analysis
title_fullStr The effects of blood flow restriction combined with endurance training on athletes' aerobic capacity, lower limb muscle strength, anaerobic power and sports performance: a meta-analysis
title_full_unstemmed The effects of blood flow restriction combined with endurance training on athletes' aerobic capacity, lower limb muscle strength, anaerobic power and sports performance: a meta-analysis
title_short The effects of blood flow restriction combined with endurance training on athletes' aerobic capacity, lower limb muscle strength, anaerobic power and sports performance: a meta-analysis
title_sort effects of blood flow restriction combined with endurance training on athletes aerobic capacity lower limb muscle strength anaerobic power and sports performance a meta analysis
topic Aerobic capacity
BFR
Endurance training
Meta-analysis
Sports performance
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s13102-025-01072-y
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