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Background <p>Sarcopenia, a progressive loss of muscle mass, strength, and function, poses significant health challenges in the aging population, increasing the risk of falls, disability, and mortality. While high-load resistance training (HL-RT) has been the traditional intervention to counteract sarcopenia, its high physical demand often limits participation among older adults. Low-load blood flow restriction training (LL-BFRT) has emerged as a promising alternative, offering similar benefits with reduced mechanical stress.</p> Objective <p>This literature review aims to systematically compare the effects of LL-BFRT and HL-RT on muscle strength, functional outcomes, and quality of life in older adults with sarcopenia.</p> Methods <p>A comprehensive search was conducted across PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar for randomized-controlled trials (2014–2025) meeting defined inclusion criteria. The selected studies were analyzed thematically, and risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane tool.</p> Results <p>Both LL-BFRT and HL-RT significantly improved muscle strength, hypertrophy, cardiovascular fitness, and functional outcomes across the included studies. While HL-RT generally produced numerically greater absolute gains in strength measures, between-group differences were not consistently statistically significant. LL-BFRT demonstrated similar efficacy to HL-RT with lower joint stress and better tolerance in older populations.</p> Conclusion <p>LL-BFRT represents a viable, lower-risk alternative to HL-RT for managing sarcopenia. Further research is needed to refine protocols, enhance safety, and evaluate long-term outcomes across diverse populations.</p>

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Low-load blood flow restriction training vs high-load resistance training for sarcopenia in older adults: a literature review

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年7月20日

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  • Nikhil Sharma,
  • Anand Kumar Singh,
  • Shalini Singh

摘要

Background

Sarcopenia, a progressive loss of muscle mass, strength, and function, poses significant health challenges in the aging population, increasing the risk of falls, disability, and mortality. While high-load resistance training (HL-RT) has been the traditional intervention to counteract sarcopenia, its high physical demand often limits participation among older adults. Low-load blood flow restriction training (LL-BFRT) has emerged as a promising alternative, offering similar benefits with reduced mechanical stress.

Objective

This literature review aims to systematically compare the effects of LL-BFRT and HL-RT on muscle strength, functional outcomes, and quality of life in older adults with sarcopenia.

Methods

A comprehensive search was conducted across PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar for randomized-controlled trials (2014–2025) meeting defined inclusion criteria. The selected studies were analyzed thematically, and risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane tool.

Results

Both LL-BFRT and HL-RT significantly improved muscle strength, hypertrophy, cardiovascular fitness, and functional outcomes across the included studies. While HL-RT generally produced numerically greater absolute gains in strength measures, between-group differences were not consistently statistically significant. LL-BFRT demonstrated similar efficacy to HL-RT with lower joint stress and better tolerance in older populations.

Conclusion

LL-BFRT represents a viable, lower-risk alternative to HL-RT for managing sarcopenia. Further research is needed to refine protocols, enhance safety, and evaluate long-term outcomes across diverse populations.