Author(s): KUO, Y., Institution: NATIONAL CHENG KUNG UNIVERSITY, Country: TAIWAN, Abstract-ID: 329

INTRODUCTION:
Blood flow restriction (BFR) training has gained popularity as a novel exercise modality in recent decades. Most existing evidence focuses on distal limb muscles, with only a few studies in healthy young adults suggesting strength gains in proximal muscles, such as those around the shoulders and trunk. This study aimed to investigate the effects of low-load hip strengthening exercises with BFR on trunk and hip muscles in older adults without chronic low back pain.
METHODS:
Community-dwelling older adults aged ≧ 60 years with no contraindications to BFR training were randomly assigned to either a BFR group or a control group (CON). The BFR group performed low-load hip resistance training with BFR twice per week for 8 weeks, while the CON group performed the same exercise protocol without BFR. Assessments were conducted at baseline (week 0), mid-intervention (week 4), and post-intervention (week 8). Outcome measures included muscle strength (handheld dynamometer), limb circumference as a proxy for muscle size, physical function (Short Physical Performance Battery), physical activity (International Physical Activity Questionnaire), and adverse effects. Data were analyzed using a 2 (group) × 3 (time) mixed-model repeated-measures ANOVA. The statistical significance level was set at p ＜ 0.05.
RESULTS:
Eighteen community-dwelling older adults were enrolled. Three participants in the BFR group and one in the CON group did not complete the intervention due to personal reasons. Data were analyzed according to group allocation, and missing data were handled using the last observation carried forward method. No significant between-group differences were observed for any outcome measure.
CONCLUSION:
In this sample of community-dwelling older adults without chronic lower back pain, low-load BFR training targeting the hip muscles did not demonstrate significant additional benefits for trunk or hip muscle outcomes compared with the same training performed without BFR.