Blood Flow Restriction Training in Acute Geriatric Rehabilitation

Blood Flow Restriction Training in Acute Geriatric Rehabilitation: A Randomized Controlled Trial on Its Effects and Safety in Hospitalized Older Adults.

Background: Older adults have a reduced ability to build and maintain muscle mass due to age-related changes in the muscular system. The resulting sarcopenia can lead to a number of health problems and limitations, such as an increased risk of falling and reduced mobility, which can affect quality of life and increase the risk of disease. To increase muscle mass and strength, high-intensity resistance training with loads of 70 to 85% of the repetition maximum (1RM) is recommended. However, this type of training poses a major challenge in the rehabilitation sector, as there is also an increased risk of injury due to physical limitations in old age. According to current research, low-intensity occlusion training could therefore represent a safe and effective training alternative. The aim of this study is therefore to examine the feasibility and effects of blood flow restriction training (BFR) on general health in older adults in a rehabilitative setting.

The study is a randomized controlled trial with a pre-post design. Participants will be recruited from the of St. Marien Hospital Geriatric Rehabilitation Center in Cologne, Germany. Patients will be randomized into 2 groups. The intervention group will receive BRF training on a stationary cycling ergometer five times a week over a period of two weeks, while the control group will receive sham-BFR training.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Adults >65 years with a two week hospitalized acute rehabilitation after a fracture closed to the hip joint

Exclusion Criteria:

• Sickle Cell Anemia
• Iatrogenic changes of the vessels at the place of the tournqiuet application (e.g. Stents)