Enhancing shoulder strength through blood flow restriction training: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Blood flow restriction training (BFRT) has emerged as a promising way to enhance strength and build muscle with low-load exercises. This study was aimed to evaluate the effects of upper limb BFRT on shoulder strength.

Methods

The literature search encompassed PubMed, Scopus, Ovid, Web of Science, EBSCO, CENTRAL, PEDro, and Google Scholar, with no language restrictions. Included studies were clinical trials investigating the application of BFRT on the upper extremity, specifically assessing shoulder strength in flexion, abduction, internal rotation, and external rotation. The certainty of the evidence was assessed using the GRADE approach.

Results

Five studies with 158 subjects were included. The pooled analysis revealed a large effect of BFRT on enhancing f

SUBMITTER: Hamedi H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12729557 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature