SynthesisPloS one2023
The effects of upper body blood flow restriction training on muscles located proximal to the applied occlusive pressure: A systematic review with meta-analysis.
Synthesis in PloS one, 2023. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. It is linked to trial NCT07309068 (Acute Effects of Blood Flow Restriction Training on Balance and Proprioception), which is not on this map. Cited by 23 papers, 3 of them syntheses that pooled it.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Acute Effects of Blood Flow Restriction Training on Balance and Proprioception: A Randomized Controlled Blinded StudyAcute BFR Training Effects on Balance and Proprioception
Who cites it
23 citing papers in PubMed, 3 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 26 citations in OpenAlex.
- Effects of blood flow restriction training on physical fitness among athletes: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Scientific reports · 2024Pooled it
- Effect of open vs. closed kinetic chain exercises in ACL rehabilitation on knee joint pain, laxity, extensor muscles strength, and function: a systematic review with meta-analysis.Frontiers in sports and active living · 2024Pooled it
- Effects of upper extremity blood flow restriction training on muscle strength and hypertrophy: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Frontiers in physiology · 2024Pooled it
- Progression and perceptual responses to blood flow restriction resistance training among people with multiple sclerosis.European journal of applied physiology · 2025Trial
- Effects of Unilateral Proximal-Thigh Blood Flow Restriction Added to Sit-to-Stand Training on Trunk Extensor Endurance and Posturographic Measures of Postural Steadiness in Healthy Young Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial.Journal of clinical medicine · 2026Article
- Blood Flow Restriction Training, Molecular Modulators, and Musculoskeletal Health: A Scoping Review and Translational Perspective.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2026Article
- The impact of blood flow restriction therapy on orthopaedic conditions of the upper extremity: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials.Annals of joint · 2026Review
- Exercise-Induced Hypoalgesia Following Blood Flow Restriction in Rotator Cuff Repair Rehabilitation: A Randomized Crossover Clinical Trial.Translational sports medicine · 2026Article
- Advances in Arthroscopic Superior Capsular Reconstruction of the Shoulder: A Narrative Review.Orthopedic reviews · 2026Article
- Rehabilitation Utilizing Blood Flow Restriction Following Surgical Repair of a Bankart Lesion with a Buford Complex in an Elite High School Football Player: A Case Report.International journal of sports physical therapy · 2026Article
- Enhancing shoulder strength through blood flow restriction training: a systematic review and meta-analysis.BMC sports science, medicine & rehabilitation · 2025Article
- The effect of blood flow restricted exercise on measures of health and physical fitness across all populations: An umbrella review and meta-meta-analysis.Sports medicine and health science · 2025Review
- Comparative Effects of Blood Flow Restriction and Traditional Strength Training on Proximal Shoulder Musculature: A Randomized Clinical Trial.Muscles (Basel, Switzerland) · 2025Article
- Methodological Approach to Predicting Lower Limb Blood Flow Restriction Pressure Using Anthropometry and Hemodynamics.Life (Basel, Switzerland) · 2025Article
- Effects of Blood Flow Restriction Training on Lower Extremity Maximum Dynamic Strength and Isokinetic Muscle Strength among Athletes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.Journal of human kinetics · 2025Review
- Effects of exercise therapy with blood flow restriction on shoulder strength: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis.BMJ open · 2025Article
- Trends and Practices on Blood Flow Restriction Training Are Not Largely Aligned With the Contemporary Evidence.Cureus · 2025Article
- Blood Flow Restriction Training: A Tool to Enhance Rehabilitation and Build Athlete Resiliency.Arthroscopy, sports medicine, and rehabilitation · 2025Article
- Blood flow restriction training enhances punching force and upper body strength in elite boxers: a randomized trial.Frontiers in physiology · 2025Article
- Impact of exercise with blood flow restriction on muscle hypertrophy and performance outcomes in men and women.PloS one · 2025Article
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
6 authors at 3 institutions in 3 countries.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundBlood flow restriction combined with low load resistance training (LL-BFRT) is associated with increases in upper limb muscle strength and size. The effect of LL-BFRT on upper limb muscles located proximal to the BFR cuff application is unclear.
objectiveThe aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the effect of LL-BFRT compared to low load, or high load resistance training (LL-RT, HL-RT) on musculature located proximal to cuff placement.
methodsSix electronic databases were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Two reviewers independently evaluated the risk of bias using the PEDro scale. We performed a meta-analysis using a random effects model, or calculated mean differences (fixed-effect) where appropriate. We judged the certainty of evidence using the GRADE approach.
resultsThe systematic literature searched yielded 346 articles, of which 9 studies were eligible. The evidence for all outcomes was of very low to low certainty. Across all comparisons, a significant increase in bench press and shoulder flexion strength was found in favor of LL-BFRT compared to LL-RT, and in shoulder lean mass and pectoralis major thickness in favor of the LL-BFRT compared to LL-RT and HL-RT, respectively. No significant differences were found between LL-BFRT and HL-RT in muscle strength.
conclusionWith low certainty LL-BFRT appears to be equally effective to HL-RT for improving muscle strength in upper body muscles located proximal to the BFR stimulus in healthy adults. Furthermore, LL-BFRT may induce muscle size increase, but these adaptations are not superior to LL-RT or HL-RT.
Indexed as
Identifiers
What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.