Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40659914›Full record

SynthesisSports medicine - open2025

Does Protocol Matter for Repetition Volume? A Meta-Analytic Investigation of Volitional Failure Versus the Traditionally Used 75-Repetition Blood Flow Restriction Resistance Training.

Nicholas Rolnick, Victor S de Queiros, Ethan C Hill, Thomas Bjørnsen, Tim Werner, Jeremy P Loenneke

Abstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Sports medicine - open, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from 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.

2 · The registry

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.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Nicholas RolnickDepartment of Exercise Science and Recreation, CUNY Lehman College, New York, NY, USA. nick@thebfrpros.com.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0430-5015
Victor S de QueirosDepartment of Physical Education, State University of Paraíba [UEPB], Campina Grande, PB, Brazil.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4117-0295
Ethan C HillSchool of Kinesiology and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, USA.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5573-3370
Thomas BjørnsenDepartment of Education and Sport Science, University of Stavanger, Stavanger, Norway.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4010-8038
Tim WernerExercise Science, Salisbury University, Salisbury, MD, USA.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4525-1308
Jeremy P LoennekeKevser Ermin Applied Physiology Laboratory, The University of Mississippi, MS, USA.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5409-9075

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundIt is recommended to prescribe sets to volitional muscular failure (e.g., 4 sets) or a fixed repetition scheme of 75 repetitions (1 × 30, 3 × 15) in low-load resistance exercise with blood flow restriction (BFR-RE). While prior studies suggest both protocols may elicit similar muscular adaptations, the extent to which this is explained by matched exercise volume remains unclear.

objectivesThis systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the number of repetitions performed during four sets of low-load BFR-RE to volitional muscular failure and compared these with the fixed 75-repetition scheme. The goal was to determine whether the two protocols yield similar total and per-set repetition volumes.

methodsOn 10/31/2024, two databases (PubMed

resultsAcross 25 studies (47 means; n = 678), the estimated total repetitions performed to failure was 73.1 (95% CI: 61.1 to 85.2). Per-set means were 36.0 (95% CI: 30.5 to 41.4), 14.7 (95% CI: 12.2 to 17.1), 11.5 (95% CI: 9.2 to 13.8), and 10.4 repetitions (95% CI: 8.1 to 12.7) for sets 1 through 4, respectively.

conclusionFour sets of BFR-RE to volitional muscular failure produce similar total repetition volume compared to the commonly implemented fixed 75-repetition scheme, though the distribution of repetitions per set differs. These findings provide insight into the mechanical equivalence of two widely used BFR-RE prescriptions.

Indexed as

75 RepetitionsBFR TrainingFixed ProtocolLimb Occlusion PressureResistance Exercise

Identifiers

PMID40659914
PMCPMC12260137

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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Registered trials

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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.