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Moderate-Intensity Treadmill Walking With Blood Flow Restriction Improves Pulmonary Volumes in Older Adults
Sponsor: Universidad Santo Tomas, Chile
Summary
This quasi-experimental pilot study evaluated the effect of 12 months of moderate-intensity treadmill walking with blood flow restriction (BFR) on pulmonary function in 14 trained older women. Participants were allocated to either a BFR group (30-40% arterial occlusion pressure) or a control group without BFR. Both groups completed the same aerobic exercise program three times per week. The BFR group showed significant improvements in forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV₁) and forced vital capacity (FVC), along with a reduction in resting heart rate, with no adverse events reported. These findings suggest that BFR is a safe and promising strategy to optimize respiratory function in older adults.
Key Details
Gender
FEMALE
Age Range
60 Years - 80 Years
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
14
Start Date
2025-01-01
Completion Date
2026-03-02
Last Updated
2026-07-09
Healthy Volunteers
Yes
Conditions
Interventions
Blood Flow Restriction
Blood flow restriction was applied using 108 × 10 cm pneumatic cuffs (BodyPro®, Kinemax®) positioned at the proximal region of both thighs, approximately three finger-widths below the gluteal fold. Occlusion pressure was set at 30-40% of each participant's arterial occlusion pressure, which was determined using sphygmomanometry and an 8-MHz vascular Doppler probe placed over the posterior tibial artery. Blood flow restriction was maintained continuously throughout the treadmill walking sessions based on the modified Bruce protocol. The intervention lasted 12 months and was performed three times per week.
Aerobic training
Participants completed the same modified Bruce treadmill walking program, matched for frequency and duration, without blood flow restriction.
Locations (1)
Clinica Oces
Santiago, Chile