Effects of Different Sizes of Blood Flow Restriction Areas on Changes in Muscle Thickness

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to examine the effects of different sizes of blood flow restriction areas on the thickness of the external oblique and biceps brachii. METHODS: The study subjects were 52 adults who were divided into four groups that performed plank exercises over a six-week period after blood flow restriction. Changes in the thickness of the external oblique and biceps brachii were measured using ultrasonography before the experiment, then three and six weeks after the experiment. The changes in each variable over time were evaluated by repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA). RESULTS: The external oblique and biceps brachii showed significant differences in muscle thickness with regard to time and the interaction between time and each group (p0.05). CONCLUSION: A larger blood flow restriction area resulted in a statistically significant increase in muscle thickness. The results of this study may be used as the basis for future studies and for rehabilitation in clinical practice.