Foundations of Blood Flow Restriction Training
Presented by Ed Le Cara
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Blood flow restriction training (BFRT) is a relatively new type of training, so practitioners would benefit from a foundational introduction to BFRT to identify if it is beneficial for their clients. This course is appropriate for physical and occupational therapy practitioners, and strength and conditioning professionals.
Meet your instructor
Ed Le Cara
Dr. Le Cara has been a strength and conditioning coach, athletic trainer, and chiropractor for more than 20 years. He holds a PhD in athletic training and is board certified in both sports medicine and rehabilitation. He currently co-owns a boutique multidisciplinary sports medicine clinic in Dallas, Texas—Body Lounge Park…
Chapters & learning objectives
1. History of Blood Flow Restriction Training (BFRT)
Initially discovered in Japan in the 1960s, BFRT was relatively unknown before it came to the United States in 2014. Since then, the APTA has declared that BFRT is part of the scope of practice of physical therapists, and it has been integrated into professional and amateur sports, as well as into hospitals and rehabilitation facilities.
2. Implementing Blood Flow Restriction Training
BFRT can be used for a variety of conditions. This chapter will describe ways to use BFRT to increase strength, hypertrophy, and aerobic conditioning.
3. Considerations for BFRT
Current physical therapy practice includes using light loads for exercise, such as resistance tubing, light dumbbells, and body weight. The use of light loads probably does not create enough mechanical stress in the muscle to cause strength or hypertrophy. Using BFRT with the light loads mimics heavy-load training and causes a physiological adaptation.
4. Tools Needed for BFRT
To perform evidence-based BFRT, one must have the tools necessary to safely and effectively occlude blood flow. Those tools include a medical-grade tourniquet and a Doppler ultrasound to find limb occlusion pressure.
