Increases in thigh muscle volume and strength by walk training with leg blood flow reduction in older participants

J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2011 Mar;66(3):257-63. doi: 10.1093/gerona/glq182. Epub 2010 Oct 25.

Abstract

We examined the effects of walk training combined with leg blood flow reduction (BFR) on muscle hypertrophy as well as on peak oxygen uptake (VO₂ peak) in older individuals. Both the BFR walk training (BFR-Walk, n = 10, age; 64 ± 1 years, body mass index [BMI]; 22.5 ± 0.9 kg/m²) and control walk training (CON-Walk, n = 8, age; 68 ± 1 years, BMI; 23.2 ± 1.0 kg/m²) groups performed 20 minutes of treadmill walking at an exercise intensity of 45% of heart rate reserve, 4 days per week, for 10 weeks. The BFR-Walk group wore pressure belts (160-200 mm Hg) on both legs during training. After the training, magnetic resonance imaging-measured thigh muscle cross-sectional area (3.1%, p < .01) and muscle volume (3.7%, p < .01) as well as maximal isometric (5.9%, p < .05) and isokinetic (up to 22%, p < .01) strength increased in the BFR-Walk group, but not in the CON-Walk group. Estimated VO₂ peak during a bicycle graded exercise test increased (p < .05) and correlated with oxygen pulse in both groups. In conclusion, BFR walk training improves both muscle volume and strength in older women.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Body Mass Index
  • Exercise Test
  • Exercise Therapy*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Leg / blood supply*
  • Middle Aged
  • Organ Size
  • Quadriceps Muscle / anatomy & histology*
  • Regional Blood Flow
  • Walking*