Hughes et al. 2017, Blood flow restriction training in clinical musculoskeletal rehabilitation

British Journal of Sports Medicine (51(13):1003-1011) systematic review and meta-analysis of 20 studies of low-load blood-flow-restriction training across ACL reconstruction, knee osteoarthritis, older adults at risk of sarcopenia, and inclusion body myositis. Low-load BFR training had a moderate effect on strength (Hedges’ g ≈ 0.52); it was more effective and more tolerable than low-load training alone, but less effective than heavy-load training (Hedges’ g ≈ 0.67). Concludes that low-load BFR is a potential clinical rehabilitation tool where heavy loading is not tolerated, requiring individualised prescription. Moderate.