Effects of Blood Flow Restriction Training on Respiratory Muscle Strength and Pulmonary Function in Healthy Young Adults

Zeliha Çelik; Nevin Atalay Güzel; Nihan Kafa; Necdet Eray Pişkin; Zait Burak Aktuğ; Hasan Aka

doi:10.53434/gbesbd.1846606

Effects of Blood Flow Restriction Training on Respiratory Muscle Strength and Pulmonary Function in Healthy Young Adults

Abstract

Blood flow restriction (BFR) training has been effective on musculoskeletal and physiological systems even at low training intensities. However, data on the effects of BFR training on respiratory muscle strength and pulmonary function are limited. The study aims to investigate the effects of low-load BFR training on respiratory muscle strength and pulmonary function parameters in healthy adults. This prospective study included male participants aged 18–30 years. The study groups consisted of 25 participants in total, 12 who performed BFR training and 13 who did not. The BFR group completed an 8-week resistance exercise program at 20%-40% 1RM (3 sets/30-15-15 repetitions) three days per week. The non-BFR group followed the same exercise protocol without BFR. Pulmonary function (FVC, FEV₁, FEV₁/FVC, PEF) and respiratory muscle strength (MIP, MEP) were assessed using a spirometer. Baseline demographic and clinical variables were similar between groups (p>0.05). Significant time effects were observed for MIP, MEP, FVC%, FEV₁%, and PEF% (p<0.05). However, no significant group x time interactions were found for all parameters in both groups (p>0.05). Low-load BFR training is a safe and feasible method that provides improvements in respiratory muscle strength and lung function similar to conventional training. Further studies with longer intervention durations are needed to determine the respiratory system effects of BFR.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

The authors received no financial support for this research.

Ethical Statement

The study was approved by the Gazi University Ethics Committee on 23.11.2021, with decision number 264338.

References

Cahalin, L. P., Formiga, M. F., Owens, J., Anderson, B., & Hughes, L. (2022). Beneficial role of blood flow restriction exercise in heart disease and heart failure using the muscle hypothesis of chronic heart failure and a growing literature. Frontiers in Physiology, 13, 924557. https://www.doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2022.924557
Centner, C., Wiegel, P., Gollhofer, A., & König, D. (2019). Effects of blood flow restriction training on muscular strength and hypertrophy in older individuals: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Sports Medicine, 49(1), 95-108. https://www.doi.org/10.1007/s40279-018-0994-1
Early, K. S., Rockhill, M., Bryan, A., Tyo, B., Buuck, D., & McGinty, J. (2020). Effect of blood flow restriction training on muscular performance, pain and vascular function. International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy, 15(6), 892. https://www.doi.org/10.26603/ijspt20200892
Faul, F., Erdfelder, E., Lang, A.-G., & Buchner, A. (2007). G* Power 3: A flexible statistical power analysis program for the social, behavioral, and biomedical sciences. Behavior Research Methods, 39(2), 175-191. https://www.doi.org/10.3758/bf03193146
Gallagher, D., Heymsfield, S. B., Heo, M., Jebb, S. A., Murgatroyd, P. R., & Sakamoto, Y. (2000). Healthy percentage body fat ranges: an approach for developing guidelines based on body mass index. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 72(3), 694-701. https://www.doi.org/10.1093/ajcn/72.3.694
Hughes, L., Paton, B., Rosenblatt, B., Gissane, C., & Patterson, S. D. (2017). Blood flow restriction training in clinical musculoskeletal rehabilitation: a systematic review and meta-analysis. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 51(13), 1003-1011. https://www.doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2016-097071
Hughes, L., Jeffries, O., Waldron, M., Rosenblatt, B., Gissane, C., Paton, B., & Patterson, S. D. (2018). Influence and reliability of lower-limb arterial occlusion pressure at different body positions. PeerJ, 6, e4697. https://www.doi.org/10.7717/peerj.4697
Ji, S., Boschmann, M., Behringer, M., Wahl, P., & Franz, A. (2025). Local and Systemic Responses to Low‐Intensity Cycling with Blood Flow Restriction Compared to High‐Intensity Cycling: A Randomized Crossover Study. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports, 35(11), e70157. https://www.doi.org/10.1111/sms.70157

Kohlbrenner, D., Kuhn, M., Manettas, A., Aregger, C., Peterer, M., Greco, N., . . . & Clarenbach, C. (2024). Low-load blood flow restriction strength training in patients with COPD: a randomised single-blind pilot study. Thorax, 79(4), 340-348. https://www.doi.org/10.1136/thorax-2023-220546
Kuhn, M., Clarenbach, C. F., Kläy, A., Kohler, M., Mayer, L. C., Lüchinger, M., . . . & Sievi, N. A. (2024). Exploring immediate cardiorespiratory responses: low-intensity blood flow restricted cycling vs. moderate-intensity traditional exercise in a randomized crossover trial. BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation, 16(1), 172. https://www.doi.org/10.1186/s13102-024-00951-0
Lauber, B., König, D., Gollhofer, A., & Centner, C. (2021). Isometric blood flow restriction exercise: acute physiological and neuromuscular responses. BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation, 13(1), 12. https://www.doi.org/10.1186/s13102-021-00239-7
Loenneke, J. P., Wilson, J. M., Marín, P. J., Zourdos, M. C., & Bemben, M. G. (2012). Low intensity blood flow restriction training: a meta-analysis. European Journal of Applied Physiology, 112(5), 1849-1859. https://www.doi.org/10.1007/s00421-011-2167-x
Madarame, H., Neya, M., Ochi, E., Nakazato, K., Sato, Y., & Ishii, N. (2008). Cross-transfer effects of resistance training with blood flow restriction. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 40(2), 258-263. https://www.doi.org/10.1249/mss.0b013e31815c6d7e
May, A. K., Russell, A. P., Della Gatta, P. A., & Warmington, S. A. (2022). Muscle adaptations to heavy-load and blood flow restriction resistance training methods. Frontiers in Physiology, 13, 837697. https://www.doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2022.837697
Miller, B. C., Tirko, A. W., Shipe, J. M., Sumeriski, O. R., & Moran, K. (2021). The systemic effects of blood flow restriction training: a systematic review. International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy, 16(4), 978. https://www.doi.org/10.26603/001c.25791
Patterson, S. D., Hughes, L., Warmington, S., Burr, J., Scott, B. R., Owens, J., . . . & Laurentino, G. (2019). Blood flow restriction exercise: considerations of methodology, application, and safety. Frontiers in Physiology, 10, 533. https://www.doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2019.00533
Rolnick, N., Kimbrell, K., Cerqueira, M. S., Weatherford, B., & Brandner, C. (2021). Perceived barriers to blood flow restriction training. Frontiers in Rehabilitation Sciences, 2, 697082. doi: 10.3389/fresc.2021.697082.
Sanchez, F. F., Araújo da Silva, C. D., de Souza Pereira Gama Maciel, M. C., Rebouças Demósthenes Marques, J., Brosina de Leon, E., & Lins Gonçalves, R. (2018). Predictive equations for respiratory muscle strength by anthropometric variables. The Clinical Respiratory Journal, 12(7), 2292-2299. https://www.doi.org/10.1111/crj.12908
Stanojevic, S., Kaminsky, D. A., Miller, M. R., Thompson, B., Aliverti, A., Barjaktarevic, I., . . . & Hall, G. L. (2022). ERS/ATS technical standard on interpretive strategies for routine lung function tests. European Respiratory Journal, 60(1), 2101499. https://www.doi.org/10.1183/13993003.01499-2021
Stanwicks, A. J., Pang, P. C., Allgood, H. C., Kim, Y., & Wu, Y.-N. (2025). The Short-Term Effects of an Exercise Protocol Incorporating Blood Flow Restriction and Body Cooling in Healthy Young Adults. Methods and Protocols, 8(6), 135. https://www.doi.org/10.3390/mps8060135
Yang, K., Chee, C. S., bin Abdul Kahar, J., Kamalden, T. F. T., Li, R., & Qian, S. (2024) Effects of Blood Flow Restriction Training on Cardiopulmonary Function and Body Composition: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis. Journal of Human Kinetics, (in press) 14(1), 16615. https://www.doi.org/10.5114/jhk/204824
Yasuda, T., Fujita, S., Ogasawara, R., Sato, Y., & Abe, T. (2010). Effects of low‐intensity bench press training with restricted arm muscle blood flow on chest muscle hypertrophy: a pilot study. Clinical Physiology and Functional Imaging, 30(5), 338-343. https://www.doi.org/10.1111/j.1475-097X.2010.00949.x

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Physical Training and Sports, Exercise Physiology

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Zeliha Çelik ^*
0000-0003-2550-7791
Türkiye

Nevin Atalay Güzel
0000-0003-0467-7310
Türkiye

Nihan Kafa
0000-0003-2878-4778
Türkiye

Necdet Eray Pişkin
0000-0001-7255-078X
Türkiye

Zait Burak Aktuğ
0000-0002-5102-4331
Türkiye

Hasan Aka
0000-0003-0603-9478
Türkiye

Publication Date

March 30, 2026

Submission Date

December 21, 2025

Acceptance Date

February 25, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 31 Number: 1

DOI

https://doi.org/10.53434/gbesbd.1846606

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA64DY56CG

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Çelik, Z., Atalay Güzel, N., Kafa, N., Pişkin, N. E., Aktuğ, Z. B., & Aka, H. (2026). Effects of Blood Flow Restriction Training on Respiratory Muscle Strength and Pulmonary Function in Healthy Young Adults. Gazi Journal of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, 31(1), 55-60. https://doi.org/10.53434/gbesbd.1846606

AMA

1.Çelik Z, Atalay Güzel N, Kafa N, Pişkin NE, Aktuğ ZB, Aka H. Effects of Blood Flow Restriction Training on Respiratory Muscle Strength and Pulmonary Function in Healthy Young Adults. Gazi JPESS. 2026;31(1):55-60. doi:10.53434/gbesbd.1846606

Chicago

Çelik, Zeliha, Nevin Atalay Güzel, Nihan Kafa, Necdet Eray Pişkin, Zait Burak Aktuğ, and Hasan Aka. 2026. “Effects of Blood Flow Restriction Training on Respiratory Muscle Strength and Pulmonary Function in Healthy Young Adults”. Gazi Journal of Physical Education and Sport Sciences 31 (1): 55-60. https://doi.org/10.53434/gbesbd.1846606.

EndNote

Çelik Z, Atalay Güzel N, Kafa N, Pişkin NE, Aktuğ ZB, Aka H (March 1, 2026) Effects of Blood Flow Restriction Training on Respiratory Muscle Strength and Pulmonary Function in Healthy Young Adults. Gazi Journal of Physical Education and Sport Sciences 31 1 55–60.

IEEE

[1]Z. Çelik, N. Atalay Güzel, N. Kafa, N. E. Pişkin, Z. B. Aktuğ, and H. Aka, “Effects of Blood Flow Restriction Training on Respiratory Muscle Strength and Pulmonary Function in Healthy Young Adults”, Gazi JPESS, vol. 31, no. 1, pp. 55–60, Mar. 2026, doi: 10.53434/gbesbd.1846606.

ISNAD

Çelik, Zeliha - Atalay Güzel, Nevin - Kafa, Nihan - Pişkin, Necdet Eray - Aktuğ, Zait Burak - Aka, Hasan. “Effects of Blood Flow Restriction Training on Respiratory Muscle Strength and Pulmonary Function in Healthy Young Adults”. Gazi Journal of Physical Education and Sport Sciences 31/1 (March 1, 2026): 55-60. https://doi.org/10.53434/gbesbd.1846606.

JAMA

1.Çelik Z, Atalay Güzel N, Kafa N, Pişkin NE, Aktuğ ZB, Aka H. Effects of Blood Flow Restriction Training on Respiratory Muscle Strength and Pulmonary Function in Healthy Young Adults. Gazi JPESS. 2026;31:55–60.

MLA

Çelik, Zeliha, et al. “Effects of Blood Flow Restriction Training on Respiratory Muscle Strength and Pulmonary Function in Healthy Young Adults”. Gazi Journal of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, vol. 31, no. 1, Mar. 2026, pp. 55-60, doi:10.53434/gbesbd.1846606.

Vancouver

1.Zeliha Çelik, Nevin Atalay Güzel, Nihan Kafa, Necdet Eray Pişkin, Zait Burak Aktuğ, Hasan Aka. Effects of Blood Flow Restriction Training on Respiratory Muscle Strength and Pulmonary Function in Healthy Young Adults. Gazi JPESS. 2026 Mar. 1;31(1):55-60. doi:10.53434/gbesbd.1846606