Cerebral cortical activation and muscle performance during blood flow restriction training after ischemic stroke: A randomised functional near-infrared spectroscopy study.

ABSTRACT:

Aims

To compare the effects of low-load (LL) blood flow restriction (BFR) and high-load (HL) training on cortical activation and the specific contributions of individual brain regions to functional recovery in stroke patients.

Methods

Sixty-six patients with ischemic stroke were divided into BFR (30% one-repetition maximum [1RM]), matched LL, or HL (80% 1RM) groups. Patients underwent a four-week supervised cycling program, and oxyhemoglobin (HbO) concentrations were assessed during the first session and after the program via functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). Muscle performance was characterized by the rectus femoris muscle cross-sectional area (CSA), knee extensor peak torque (PT), and Fugl-Meyer lower extremity (FMLE) scores.

Results

Compared with the L

SUBMITTER: Bai X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12510505 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature