Blood flow restriction training in knee rehab

Whilst this might sound a little mental as surely we want blood to flow right? But here me out.

What is blood flow restriction?

Blood flow restriction training or occlusion training as it is often referred, is the principe in which we restrict the blood flowing to the working muscles for a short period of time during an exercise in the form of BFR cuffs. In short, the cuffs are designed to reduce the amount of oxygen via the blood in the working muscle or muscles, forcing them to work harder.

How does this relate to knee rehab?

When suffering with a knee injury, specifically a patella tendon or quad tendon issue or other overuse injuries, load management is very important. So by using the occlusion training method, we can reduce the mechanical tension and load going through the knee, and allow the muscles to be dealt with a similar stimulus to replicate that higher load. Furthermore, you are training the muscles to work more efficiently with reduced oxygen, similarly to the affects of an altitude tent, that you occasionally see athletes using to improve the body's ability to utilise oxygen.

Is it safe?

A very common question that you're probably asking yourself. Is this safe? The answer is yes, but might not be right for everyone, so best to check with your doctor or physio before giving this a go.

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