Frontiers in Sports and Active Living (Jun 2021)

Resistance Training With Partial Blood Flow Restriction in a 99-Year-Old Individual: A Case Report

  • Maíra Camargo Scarpelli,
  • João Guilherme Almeida Bergamasco,
  • Estevan A. de Barros Arruda,
  • Summer B. Cook,
  • Cleiton Augusto Libardi

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fspor.2021.671764
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 3

Abstract

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In aging populations for which the use of high loads is contraindicated, low load resistance training associated with blood flow restriction (RT-BFR) is an alternative strategy to induce muscle mass gains. This study investigates the effects of RT-BFR on muscle mass, muscle function, and quality of life of a 99-year-old patient with knee osteoarthritis and advanced muscle mass deterioration. Training protocol consisted of 24 sessions of a unilateral free-weight knee extension exercise associated with partial blood flow restriction through a manometer cuff set at 50% of complete vascular occlusion pressure. We evaluated: cross-sectional area (CSA) and thickness (MT) of the vastus lateralis muscle by ultrasound; function through the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test; and quality of life (QoL) by the WHOQOL-bref, WHOQOL-OLD and WOMAC questionnaires. All tests were performed prior to the training period (Pre) and after the 12th (Mid) and 24th (Post) sessions. Changes were considered significant if higher than 2 times the measurement's coefficient of variation (CV). After 24 sessions, there was an increase of 12% in CSA and 8% in MT. Questionnaires scores and TUG values worsened from Pre to Mid and returned in Post. We consider RT-BFR a viable and effective strategy to promote muscle mass gains in nonagenarians and delay the decline in functionality and QoL associated with aging.

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