The effects of Low-Load BFRE training on self-reported knee function and pain intensity in individuals with knee impairment

Ipavec, Matej (author)

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of low-load (LL) blood flow restriction exercise (BFRE) on orthopedic patients with knee joint injuries, focusing on the subjective assessment of knee joint function and the perception of pain in the knee joint. Methods: The participants were divided into an LL-BFRE group and a sham LL-BFRE group (SLL-BFRE). The training program to strengthen the quadriceps femoris muscle was carried out for four weeks with three training sessions per week. The LL-BFRE group trained with blood flow obstruction through the active muscles using an inflatable cuff, while the SLL-BFRE group trained without blood flow obstruction. Before and after the training program, knee joint function was assessed using the Lysholm questionnaire, and the intensity of knee pain during the training program was measured using a numerical scale. Results: In the LL-BFRE group, the exercise program did not cause a significant improvement (p = 0.359), which was from 74.1 ± 15.1 points to 79.1 ± 15.0 points (7%) in the subjective assessment of knee joint function, whereas it improved significantly (p < 0.001) by 17% from 70.8 ± 16.8 points to 82.9 ± 14.0 points in the SLL-BFRE groups. We found no significant differences in pain intensity between the LL-BFRE and SLL-BFRE groups during the training program. Conclusions: The results do not support the hypothesis that LL-BFRE exercises would lead to greater improvements in knee joint function and pain perception compared to standard exercises of the same intensity. These findings highlight the need for further research to optimize training protocols and confirm their effectiveness across diverse patient groups.

• Language: English
• Keywords: quadriceps femoris muscle, arthrogenic muscle inhibition, ischemic exercise, Lysholm knee scoring scale, knee joint function
• Work type: Article
• Typology: 1.01 - Original Scientific Article
• Organization: ZF - Faculty of Health Sciences
• Publication status: Published
• Publication version: Version of Record
• Publication date: 01.01.2024
• Year: 2024
• Number of pages: Str. 171-193
• Numbering: Vol. 15, iss. 2
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-167759
• UDC: 616.728.3:796.015.1
• ISSN on article: 2232-2620
• DOI: 10.35469/ak.2024.473
• COBISS.SI-ID: 228518147
• Publication date in RUL: 11.03.2025

Record is a part of a journal

• Title: Annales kinesiologiae
• Shortened title: Ann. kinesiol.
• Publisher: Univerza na Primorskem, Znanstveno-raziskovalno središče, Univerzitetna založba Annales, Univerza na Primorskem, Znanstveno-raziskovalno središče, Univerzitetna založba Annales, Znanstveno-raziskovalno središče Koper, Annales ZRS
• ISSN: 2232-2620
• COBISS.SI-ID: 254259712

Licences

• License: CC BY 4.0, Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
• Link: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
• Description: This is the standard Creative Commons license that gives others maximum freedom to do what they want with the work as long as they credit the author.

Secondary language

• Language: Slovenian
• Title: Vpliv ishemične vadbe na samooceno funkcije kolena in intenzivnost bolečine pri posameznikih z okvaro kolena

Abstract

Namen: Proučiti vpliv ishemične vadbe pri osebah s poškodbo kolenskega sklepa, pri čemer smo se usmerili na subjektivno oceno funkcije kolenskega sklepa in stopnjo občutenja bolečine v predelu kolenskega sklepa. Metode: Pacienti so bili razdeljeni v ishemično in placebo skupino. Vadbeni program za krepitev štiriglave stegenske mišice je potekal štiri tedne s po tremi vadbenimi enotami na teden. Ishemična skupina je vadila z oviranim pretokom krvi, povzročenim z napihljivo manšeto, placebo skupina pa z navidezno oviranim pretokom krvi. Pred vadbo in po njej so preiskovanci ocenili funkcijo kolenskega sklepa z Lysholmovim vprašalnikom. Intenziteto bolečine v kolenu so s številsko lestvico sistematično ocenjevali med vadbenim programom. Rezultati: Preiskovanci ishemične skupine z vadbenim programom niso dose¬gli značilnega (p = 0,359) povečanja subjektivne ocene funkcije kolenskega sklepa s 74,1 ± 15,1 točke na 79,1 ± 15,0 točke (7 %), medtem ko se je ta v placebo skupini značilno (p < 0,001) izboljšala za 17 % s 70,8 ± 16,8 točke na 82,9 ± 14,0 točke. Značilnih razlik v intenziteti bolečine med ishemično in placebo skupino med vadbenim programom nismo zaznali. Zaključki: Naše ugotovitve ne potrjujejo izhodiščne hipoteze, da ishemična vadba povzroči večje izboljšanje subjektivne ocene funkcije kolenskega sklepa in občutenja bolečine v predelu kolenskega sklepa kot standardna vadba z enako intenziteto. Ti izsledki poudarjajo potrebo po nadaljnjih raziskavah za optimizacijo vadbenih protokolov in potrditev njihove učinkovitosti pri različnih skupinah pacientov.

• Keywords: šibkost štiriglave stegenske mišice, artrogena mišična inhibicija, ishemična vadba, Lysholmov vprašalnik, funkcija kolenskega sklepa