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Blood flow restriction training on resting blood pressure and heart rate: a meta-analysis of the available literature

Journal of Human Hypertension volume 36, pages 738–743 (2022)Cite this article

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Abstract

The purpose of this meta-analysis was to examine the effects of blood flow restriction training on resting blood pressure and heart rate. A meta-analysis was completed in May 2020 including all previously published papers on blood flow restriction and was analyzed using a random effects model. To be included, studies needed to implement a blood flow restriction protocol compared to the same exercise protocol without restriction. A total of four studies met the inclusion criteria for quantitative analysis including four effect sizes for resting systolic blood pressure, four effect sizes for resting diastolic blood pressure, and three effect sizes for resting heart rate. There was evidence of a difference [mean difference (95 CI)] in resting systolic blood pressure between training with and without blood flow restriction [4.2 (0.3, 8.0) mmHg, p = 0.031]. No significant differences were observed when comparing resting diastolic blood pressure [1.2 (−1, 3.5) mmHg p = 0.274] and resting heart rate [−0.2 (−4.7, 4.1) bpm, p = 0.902] between chronic exercise with and without blood flow restriction. These results indicate that training with blood flow restriction may elicit an increase in resting systolic blood pressure. However, lack of data addressing this topic makes any conclusion speculative. Based on the results of the present study along with the overall lack of long-term data, it is suggested that future research on this topic is warranted. Recommendations include making changes in resting blood pressure a primary outcome and increasing the sample size of the interventions.

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Acknowledgements

VW and JL contributed to the conception and design of the original work. VW, JSS, and JL worked together in the acquisition, analyzation, and interpretation of the data for the study. All authors gave the final approval of the version to be published.

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There is no financial assistance received in support of the current study.

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  1. Department of Health, Exercise Science, and Recreation Management, Kevser Ermin Applied Physiology Laboratory, The University of Mississippi, University, MS, Oxford, MS, USA

    Vickie Wong, Jun Seob Song, Zachary W. Bell, Yujiro Yamada, Robert W. Spitz, Takashi Abe & Jeremy P. Loenneke

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  1. Vickie Wong
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Correspondence to Jeremy P. Loenneke.

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Wong, V., Song, J.S., Bell, Z.W. et al. Blood flow restriction training on resting blood pressure and heart rate: a meta-analysis of the available literature. J Hum Hypertens 36, 738–743 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41371-021-00561-0

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