Clinical Effectiveness of Blood Flow Restriction Resistance Training in Military Rehabilitation of Chronic Knee Conditions

Overview:

Strengthening exercise has been shown to be one of the components of fitness closely associated with functional recovery in patients suffering muscle or joint injury. Therefore, improving muscle strength is a crucial factor to progress rehabilitation. Standard strengthening exercises involve lifting weights at a load that is equal to or greater than 70% of an individual’s maximum effort, known as 1-repetition maximum (1-RM).  An alternative approach involves exercises that use lighter weights (20 % of an individual’s 1-RM) whilst using blood flow restriction (BFR) device has been developed. At the moment, there seem to be advantages to both treatment approaches.  The purpose of this study is to assess the effectiveness of these two different strength training programmes to lessen pain and improve function in patients with knee pain.     

Aims and Objectives:

• Compare the effects of low-load strength training using blood flow restriction with ‘conventional’ higher load strength training on physical function and pain in UK military personnel with persistent knee pain. 
• Compare the effects of low-load strength training using blood flow restriction with ‘conventional’ higher load strength training on muscle strength, structure and function. 

Work Package	Stratified Care and Personalised Medicine: Care
Objective	1 & 3
Lead	Robyn Cassidy
Investigators	James Bilzon, Peter Ladlow, Alex Bennett, Jonathan Folland
Institution	University of Bath