Course Objectives

• Discuss the history and evolution of BFR training
• Explain the benefits of Blood Flow Restriction Training
• Discuss the local and systemic mechanisms of Blood Flow Restriction Training
• List the indications and contraindications for BFR Training for Elastic versus Rigid BFR systems

Course Description

This course is designed to introduce practitioners to the use of blood flow restriction as a therapeutic intervention. There are many types of blood flow restriction devices that are used in rehabilitation and strength and conditioning, yet some can cause more harm than good. This course will teach the practitioner the physiological benefits of blood flow restriction training as well as the safety mechanisms that must occur in order to best deliver the desired effects from application of various restrictive bands.

Athletic trainers use many methods to improve strength, power, and proprioception. These approaches are useful, yet can leave the patient with increased muscle soreness, and slow strength gains, and only focus on strengthening a singular body part at a time. Elastic blood flow restriction bands used as an adjunct to standardized fitness and strength training elicits a robust physiological systemic response that improves strength and fitness in a shorter amount of time with improved patient outcomes. Athletic trainers need to understand the physiology of muscle training and the application of elastic blood flow restriction bands cause a metabolic crisis that leads to up regulating protein synthesis and the recruitment of additional motor units. Neuro-Immune and endocrine responses are also amplified. The application of elastic blood flow restriction bands allows the patient to use lighter weight, with less muscle damage, while at the same time, eliciting a more advanced anabolic response. Over time the patient progresses faster and stays more holistically fit while improving strength gains. Athletic trainers must learn the physiological responses to elastic BFR application, efficacy, indications, and contra-indications of this rehabilitation adjunct to improve patient goals and outcomes.