Systematic review and meta-analysis of the effects of blood flow restriction training on bone health in older adults
While low-intensity blood flow restriction (LI-BFR) training has recently been shown to improve bone health, there remains limited evidence regarding its impact on older adults. This meta-analysis aimed to quantitatively identify the effects of LI-BFR training on bone mineral density (BMD) and bone...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Nature Research
2025
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| Online Access: | http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/120282/ http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/120282/1/120282.pdf |
| _version_ | 1848868152492949504 |
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| author | Liu, Yutong Zhang, Yunfei Wang, Tao Gao, Zhendong Wang, Xiaolin |
| author_facet | Liu, Yutong Zhang, Yunfei Wang, Tao Gao, Zhendong Wang, Xiaolin |
| author_sort | Liu, Yutong |
| building | UPM Institutional Repository |
| collection | Online Access |
| description | While low-intensity blood flow restriction (LI-BFR) training has recently been shown to improve bone health, there remains limited evidence regarding its impact on older adults. This meta-analysis aimed to quantitatively identify the effects of LI-BFR training on bone mineral density (BMD) and bone biomarkers compared with conventional resistance training programs. Studies were identified through searches of four databases: PubMed, Scopus, SPORTDiscus, and Web of Science. R packages were utilized for this meta-analysis. The results indicated that compared to low-intensity (LI) training, LI-BFR significantly increased BMD (ES = 0.25, 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: [0.08, 0.41], p < 0.01), osteotropic hormones (i.e., GH, ES = 1.18, 95%CI: [0.66, 1.70]), p < 0.001; IGF-1, ES = 0.89, 95% CI: [0.44, 1.33], p < 0.001), but resulted in a smaller increase in bone resorption markers (i.e., CTX, ES = -0.77, 95%CI: [-1.16, -0.37], p < 0.001). LI-BFR training demonstrated similar effects on BMD improvement as high-intensity (HI) resistance training (ES = -0.1, 95%CI: [-0.66, 0.41], p = 0.64). Furthermore, sex and training frequency moderated the secretion of osteotropic hormones (male vs. female: IGF-1, 0.51 vs. 1.64, p < 0.01; ≤ 3 times per week vs. > 3 times per week: GH, 1.62 vs. 0.68, p < 0.01, and IGF-1, 1.13 vs. 0.39, p < 0.05). In conclusion, LI-BFR training shows promise for enhancing bone health in older adults, offering benefits comparable to HI training. |
| first_indexed | 2025-11-15T14:47:51Z |
| format | Article |
| id | upm-120282 |
| institution | Universiti Putra Malaysia |
| institution_category | Local University |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2025-11-15T14:47:51Z |
| publishDate | 2025 |
| publisher | Nature Research |
| recordtype | eprints |
| repository_type | Digital Repository |
| spelling | upm-1202822025-09-29T06:52:27Z http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/120282/ Systematic review and meta-analysis of the effects of blood flow restriction training on bone health in older adults Liu, Yutong Zhang, Yunfei Wang, Tao Gao, Zhendong Wang, Xiaolin While low-intensity blood flow restriction (LI-BFR) training has recently been shown to improve bone health, there remains limited evidence regarding its impact on older adults. This meta-analysis aimed to quantitatively identify the effects of LI-BFR training on bone mineral density (BMD) and bone biomarkers compared with conventional resistance training programs. Studies were identified through searches of four databases: PubMed, Scopus, SPORTDiscus, and Web of Science. R packages were utilized for this meta-analysis. The results indicated that compared to low-intensity (LI) training, LI-BFR significantly increased BMD (ES = 0.25, 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: [0.08, 0.41], p < 0.01), osteotropic hormones (i.e., GH, ES = 1.18, 95%CI: [0.66, 1.70]), p < 0.001; IGF-1, ES = 0.89, 95% CI: [0.44, 1.33], p < 0.001), but resulted in a smaller increase in bone resorption markers (i.e., CTX, ES = -0.77, 95%CI: [-1.16, -0.37], p < 0.001). LI-BFR training demonstrated similar effects on BMD improvement as high-intensity (HI) resistance training (ES = -0.1, 95%CI: [-0.66, 0.41], p = 0.64). Furthermore, sex and training frequency moderated the secretion of osteotropic hormones (male vs. female: IGF-1, 0.51 vs. 1.64, p < 0.01; ≤ 3 times per week vs. > 3 times per week: GH, 1.62 vs. 0.68, p < 0.01, and IGF-1, 1.13 vs. 0.39, p < 0.05). In conclusion, LI-BFR training shows promise for enhancing bone health in older adults, offering benefits comparable to HI training. Nature Research 2025-04-14 Article PeerReviewed text en cc_by_nc_nd_4 http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/120282/1/120282.pdf Liu, Yutong and Zhang, Yunfei and Wang, Tao and Gao, Zhendong and Wang, Xiaolin (2025) Systematic review and meta-analysis of the effects of blood flow restriction training on bone health in older adults. Scientific Reports, 15. art. no. 12800. pp. 1-10. ISSN 2045-2322 https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-025-98053-5?error=cookies_not_supported&code=286fcad7-62e6-4f47-af34-28140ae88212 10.1038/s41598-025-98053-5 |
| spellingShingle | Liu, Yutong Zhang, Yunfei Wang, Tao Gao, Zhendong Wang, Xiaolin Systematic review and meta-analysis of the effects of blood flow restriction training on bone health in older adults |
| title | Systematic review and meta-analysis of the effects of blood flow restriction training on bone health in older adults |
| title_full | Systematic review and meta-analysis of the effects of blood flow restriction training on bone health in older adults |
| title_fullStr | Systematic review and meta-analysis of the effects of blood flow restriction training on bone health in older adults |
| title_full_unstemmed | Systematic review and meta-analysis of the effects of blood flow restriction training on bone health in older adults |
| title_short | Systematic review and meta-analysis of the effects of blood flow restriction training on bone health in older adults |
| title_sort | systematic review and meta-analysis of the effects of blood flow restriction training on bone health in older adults |
| url | http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/120282/ http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/120282/ http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/120282/ http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/120282/1/120282.pdf |