Effects of blood flow restriction associated with aerobic training on strength, muscle mass, gait, physical performance, mobility and cardiorespiratory capacity in older adults with sarcopenia

• Grant number: 24/14788-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: September 01, 2025
• End date: August 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy
• Principal Investigator: José Eduardo Pompeu
• Grantee: Beatriz Caruso Soares Frederico
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina (FM). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Introduction: Sarcopenia is an age-related musculoskeletal dysfunction. Physical exercise associated with blood flow restriction (BFR) can bring muscle and functional benefits. Objective: To compare the effects of aerobic training on a cycle ergometer, with and without BFR, on strength, muscle mass, gait, physical performance, mobility and cardiorespiratory capacity in elderly people with sarcopenia. Method: Randomized, blinded, three-arm clinical trial. One group will do aerobic training on a cycle ergometer, at an intensity of 40% of the reserve heart rate (HRR), for 21 minutes, twice a week for twelve weeks. Another group will follow the same protocol, but with RFS on the lower limbs, at 40% of the HRR and 40 to 80% of the vascular occlusion pressure. The third group will be a control group. Elderly people with sarcopenia according to the EWGSOP 2 criteria will be included. Participants will be assessed at three points: before and after the interventions and at a 12-week follow-up. The outcomes and respective measurements will be: screening for sarcopenia; strength estimated using the handgrip strength test, the sit and stand test five times and lower and upper limb dynamometry; muscle mass using DXA; gait using the gait speed test; physical performance using the SPPB; mobility using the TUGT; and cardiorespiratory capacity using the sit and stand test for 1 minute and the 400-meter walk test. The statistical analysis will be conducted using SAS software version 9.3, configuring the statistical modeling to include both fixed and random effects. An alpha of 0.05 will be adopted.