Effects of individualized blood flow restriction during brief twice-weekly low-load cycling on mobility and muscle function in adults older than 70 years.

Introduction: Age-related declines in muscle strength and physical function increase the risk of mobility limitations, disability, and loss of independence. Although resistance training is effective, many older adults are unable or unwilling to perform high-load exercise, highlighting the need for time-efficient, low-load interventions that preserve physical function. Blood flow restriction (BFR) training may enhance adaptations to low-load exercise, but whether a brief, clinically feasible endurance-based BFR intervention can induce clinically meaningful improvements in mobility remains unclear. Methods: Twenty adults aged >70 years were randomized to six weeks of supervised low-load cycling (15 min, twice weekly) with either BFR at 60% limb occlusion pressure (INT, Results: INT showed significantly greater improvements in functional mobility (DEMMI) compared to CON [baseline-adjusted ANCOVA: Conclusion: A brief, twice-weekly low-load cycling program combined with BFR elicited significant rises in lower-limb strength with associated clinically meaningful improvements in mobility despite a minimal exercise dose. Endurance-based BFR appears to be a feasible, safe, and well-tolerated strategy to improve physical function and support independent living in healthy older adults. This trial was not prospectively registered in a public trial registry. It was retrospectively registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (registration number: NCT07825987).