Blood flow restriction training in microgravity: a review of multisystem physiological benefits and implementation challenges for long-duration space missions

Abstract This review evaluates BFRT as a novel countermeasure against multisystem deconditioning (muscle atrophy, bone loss, cardiovascular impairment) during long-duration space missions. BFRT combines low-load exercise with vascular occlusion, mimicking high-intensity benefits while reducing equip...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Mingzhen Hu, Wei Li, Qiushi Yin, Yuqing Liu, Lin Chen, Qin Ru, Guodong Xu, Yuxiang Wu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-08-01
Series:npj Microgravity
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41526-025-00515-7
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1849332340330856448
author Mingzhen Hu
Wei Li
Qiushi Yin
Yuqing Liu
Lin Chen
Qin Ru
Guodong Xu
Yuxiang Wu
author_facet Mingzhen Hu
Wei Li
Qiushi Yin
Yuqing Liu
Lin Chen
Qin Ru
Guodong Xu
Yuxiang Wu
author_sort Mingzhen Hu
collection DOAJ
description Abstract This review evaluates BFRT as a novel countermeasure against multisystem deconditioning (muscle atrophy, bone loss, cardiovascular impairment) during long-duration space missions. BFRT combines low-load exercise with vascular occlusion, mimicking high-intensity benefits while reducing equipment needs. We synthesize evidence for BFRT’s efficacy in microgravity analogs, discusses implementation challenges (equipment adaptation, safety protocols, sex-specific responses), and highlight its potential as a space-efficient adjunct to current exercise regimens, informing future mission planning.
format Article
id doaj-art-df99f73be08045c989709928c25870da
institution Kabale University
issn 2373-8065
language English
publishDate 2025-08-01
publisher Nature Portfolio
record_format Article
series npj Microgravity
spelling doaj-art-df99f73be08045c989709928c25870da2025-08-20T03:46:13ZengNature Portfolionpj Microgravity2373-80652025-08-0111111710.1038/s41526-025-00515-7Blood flow restriction training in microgravity: a review of multisystem physiological benefits and implementation challenges for long-duration space missionsMingzhen Hu0Wei Li1Qiushi Yin2Yuqing Liu3Lin Chen4Qin Ru5Guodong Xu6Yuxiang Wu7College of Sports Medicine, Wuhan Sports UniversityCollege of Sports Medicine, Wuhan Sports UniversityCollege of Sports Medicine, Wuhan Sports UniversityCollege of Sports Medicine, Wuhan Sports UniversityInstitute of Intelligent Sport and Proactive Health, Department of Health and Physical Education, Jianghan UniversityInstitute of Intelligent Sport and Proactive Health, Department of Health and Physical Education, Jianghan UniversityInstitute of Intelligent Sport and Proactive Health, Department of Health and Physical Education, Jianghan UniversityCollege of Sports Medicine, Wuhan Sports UniversityAbstract This review evaluates BFRT as a novel countermeasure against multisystem deconditioning (muscle atrophy, bone loss, cardiovascular impairment) during long-duration space missions. BFRT combines low-load exercise with vascular occlusion, mimicking high-intensity benefits while reducing equipment needs. We synthesize evidence for BFRT’s efficacy in microgravity analogs, discusses implementation challenges (equipment adaptation, safety protocols, sex-specific responses), and highlight its potential as a space-efficient adjunct to current exercise regimens, informing future mission planning.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41526-025-00515-7
spellingShingle Mingzhen Hu
Wei Li
Qiushi Yin
Yuqing Liu
Lin Chen
Qin Ru
Guodong Xu
Yuxiang Wu
Blood flow restriction training in microgravity: a review of multisystem physiological benefits and implementation challenges for long-duration space missions
npj Microgravity
title Blood flow restriction training in microgravity: a review of multisystem physiological benefits and implementation challenges for long-duration space missions
title_full Blood flow restriction training in microgravity: a review of multisystem physiological benefits and implementation challenges for long-duration space missions
title_fullStr Blood flow restriction training in microgravity: a review of multisystem physiological benefits and implementation challenges for long-duration space missions
title_full_unstemmed Blood flow restriction training in microgravity: a review of multisystem physiological benefits and implementation challenges for long-duration space missions
title_short Blood flow restriction training in microgravity: a review of multisystem physiological benefits and implementation challenges for long-duration space missions
title_sort blood flow restriction training in microgravity a review of multisystem physiological benefits and implementation challenges for long duration space missions
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41526-025-00515-7
work_keys_str_mv AT mingzhenhu bloodflowrestrictiontraininginmicrogravityareviewofmultisystemphysiologicalbenefitsandimplementationchallengesforlongdurationspacemissions
AT weili bloodflowrestrictiontraininginmicrogravityareviewofmultisystemphysiologicalbenefitsandimplementationchallengesforlongdurationspacemissions
AT qiushiyin bloodflowrestrictiontraininginmicrogravityareviewofmultisystemphysiologicalbenefitsandimplementationchallengesforlongdurationspacemissions
AT yuqingliu bloodflowrestrictiontraininginmicrogravityareviewofmultisystemphysiologicalbenefitsandimplementationchallengesforlongdurationspacemissions
AT linchen bloodflowrestrictiontraininginmicrogravityareviewofmultisystemphysiologicalbenefitsandimplementationchallengesforlongdurationspacemissions
AT qinru bloodflowrestrictiontraininginmicrogravityareviewofmultisystemphysiologicalbenefitsandimplementationchallengesforlongdurationspacemissions
AT guodongxu bloodflowrestrictiontraininginmicrogravityareviewofmultisystemphysiologicalbenefitsandimplementationchallengesforlongdurationspacemissions
AT yuxiangwu bloodflowrestrictiontraininginmicrogravityareviewofmultisystemphysiologicalbenefitsandimplementationchallengesforlongdurationspacemissions