Blood Flow Restriction in Older Adults

Blood Flow Restriction in Older Adults. A Randomised Single-blind Clinical Trial

Introduction. From the age of 80 onwards, more than 50% of people suffer from sarcopenia. The loss of muscle strength leads to a loss of muscle power, impairing functionality and preventing the correct performance of activities of daily living.

Objective. To analyse the efficacy of blood flow restriction in older adult patients by evaluating changes in the variables muscle power and strength, physical condition and functionality of the lower limbs.

Material and method. Randomised single-blind clinical study. Thirty-six older adults will be recruited and randomised to the experimental and control groups. The intervention will have a duration of 4 weeks, with 2 weekly sessions. The intervention will consist of an intervention by performing 3 quadriceps strength exercises, with a 40% restriction. The primary variable of the study will be muscle power (Sit To Stand 5 times) and the secondary variables will be muscle strength (dynamometry), physical condition (Timed Up and Go) and functionality and autonomy (Barthel index)

Inclusion Criteria:

• Older adults aged 65 to 80 years
• Independent for standing and walking with the help of assistive devices such as cane and walker
• Both genders
• Normotensive or hypertensive with controlled BP (systolic blood pressure <140 mmHg)
• Sign the informed consent form.

Exclusion Criteria:

• People dependent for the performance of activities of daily living.
• People with cognitive impairments that limit the performance of the intervention or assessments.
• Persons undergoing total hip or knee arthroplasty
• Persons receiving physiotherapy treatment at the time of the study
• History of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolism
• History of myocardial infarction or stroke