Blood Flow Restriction Training in Basketball Players

Overview

Blood Flow Restrictive Exercises (BFR) provide strength increase with less load than required for traditional muscle strengthening and power. As an alternative for populations that have difficulty training with high loads and speeds, low-intensity BFR training has been shown to improve muscle strength and aerobic parameters and to be safe, even in professional athletes and individuals with chronic diseases in various populations. The aim of our study is to examine the effects of BFR applied to the upper extremity on upper extremity muscle strength and performance in basketball players.

Basketball is a demanding sport that requires participants to display a high level of physical fitness and special sporting skills. Basketball requires a high level of anaerobic and aerobic conditioning and is not only a team sport, but also a sport that requires players to demonstrate their individual characteristics. In this regard, it is thought that the determination of performance components based on field tests is a more suitable method for determining the athletic levels of athletes with special needs. BFR, which aims to restrict blood flow to the muscle during exercise, is traditionally known as 'kaatsu'. Blood flow is restricted with a pressure-controlled and monitorable exercise belt produced for BFR. In order for the method to be successful, the tourniquet method must be applied to the proximal region of the extremity, and in this way, less blood flow to the muscle can actually be achieved. With BFR, it is recommended that the external pressure be made sufficient to restrict the arterial oxygen pressure between 40% and 80%, and it is thought that the effects of exercise increase in this hypoxic environment. In this way, it is sufficient to perform the exercises at 20% to 40% of the 1 maximum repetition, not 60-85%, which is normally required for muscle hypertrophy. An ischemic and hypoxic muscle environment during BFR; It has been hypothesized that it is produced to cause high levels of metabolic stress and mechanical tension. Both metabolic stress and mechanical tension have been described as "primary hypertrophy factors" and are theorized to activate other mechanisms for muscle growth. Strength training performed by restricting blood flow plays an important role in muscle hypertrophy by activating the endocrine system. It has been proven that low-intensity blood flow restriction training increases the plasma concentration of growth hormone more than normal exercises. BFR involves low-intensity resistance training and is placed on the proximal portion of the lower or upper extremity muscles to be worked with a bandage or cuff that restricts blood flow, providing appropriate superficial pressure. The aim of this study is to examine the effects of BFR applied to the upper extremity on upper extremity muscle strength and performance in basketball players.