Effects of blood flow restriction combined with interval training on aerobic capacity, anaerobic performance, and sport-specific performance in trained male athletes: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Description

Jingyu Shen, Dan Wu, and Liye Liu pool studies on a training method that pairs interval work with restricted blood flow in trained male athletes in a 2026 review. Cuffs that partly limit blood flow during exercise are claimed to add gains at lower loads. Whether the bonus holds for already trained athletes was unclear.

Searching six databases, the team found thirteen studies that fit their rules, all in men. Adding flow restriction to interval training gave small but real extra gains in aerobic capacity and in anaerobic and sport-specific performance. Differences between studies were low, and checks covered bias and evidence certainty. The authors note the all-male evidence base as a limit on wider claims.

Catalog record

Source: https://europepmc.org/articles/PMC13624964