Effects of Blood Flow Restriction Training on Follistatin Concentrations and Physical Performance in Elderly Females

Blood flow restriction training (BFRT) has gained substantial interest due to the lower required intensity, which may be beneficial for individuals who are not able to lift heavy weights. Therefore, we aimed at evaluating effects of 12 weeks of resistance training with and without blood flow restriction on follistatin (FST) concentrations and physical performance in elderly females.

Thirty elderly female were randomly assigned into the following groups: resistance training with blood flow restriction (BFRT; n=10), resistance training without blood flow restriction (WBFRT; n=10) and control ( n=10). The resistance training was carried out three session a week for 12 weeks. Serum concentrations of FST, muscular endurance and dynamic balance were assessed at baseline and after the 12week intervention.

Significant main effects of time were observed for FST (p =0.03, η2 = 0.15), muscular endurance (p = 0.00, η2 = 0.59) and dynamic balance (p=0.00, η2 = 0.57). FST [BFRT= 1.4 ng/ml (effect size Cohen’s {d} = -0.8) significantly increased only in BFRT group. However, muscular endurance [BFRT= 95 (d= -4.1) and WBFRT = 32 (d= -0.9)] significantly increased in both intervention groups (P<0.05). In addition, dynamic balance [BFRT= -0.5 seconds (d= 2.2)] significantly increased only in the BFRT group (P<0.05).

BFRT was able to increase FST concentrations. Due to its mechanistic role in muscle mass alterations, elderly females can incorporate our BFRT protocol to improve anabolic conditions for muscular adaptations.