Comparison of changes on quadriceps femoris muscle thickness after addition of low intensity blood flow strengthening exercise and moderate intensity strengthening exercise in elderly woman

Reduced quadriceps femoris muscle mass in elderly women increases the risk of disability and falls. Moderate-to-heavy intensity exercises are recommended for preventing muscle atrophy, but may be too difficult for those with multiple health conditions. Low-intensity training with blood flow restriction is a viable alternative. This study investigates changes in quadriceps muscle thickness after adding moderate-intensity and low-intensity exercises combined with blood flow restriction in healthy elderly women. Subjects were randomly assigned into blood flow restriction group and moderate intensity group with consist of eleven subjects per group. Moderate-intensity group prescribed exercises with ≥40-60% 1RM, 3 sets of 12 reps, and 2-minute rest. Blood flow restriction group prescribed exercises with 20-30% 1RM, 4 sets (30 reps the first set and 15 reps subsequent), 30 seconds rest, 50 mmHg, or 40% AOP pressure applied. Both groups trained twice a week for 6 weeks. Muscle thickness measured by ultrasonography before and after. There was a significant increase in muscle thickness in both groups before and after intervention (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference of muscle thickness after intervention between two groups (p = 0.846). However, the change (delta) of muscle thickness was significantly higher in blood flow restriction group compared to moderate-intensity group (p = 0.021). There was a side effects in the form of muscle pain after exercise 18% of the moderate-intensity group. Both moderate intensity and low intensity blood flow restriction strengthening exercises result in muscle hypertrophy. However, blood flow restriction training may provide greater muscle hypertrophy and could be a safer alternative for certain population compared to moderate-intensity exercise, though further research is needed.