The objective of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of low‐load (LL) blood flow restriction exercise (BFRE) for improving lower limb muscle strength, muscle thickness and physical function in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI). In a randomized sham‐controlled trial, 21 participants (age ≥ 18 years, SCI duration ≥ 1 year, knee extensor strength grade 2–4, ASIA A‐D) were randomized to either 45‐min LL‐BFRE (n = 11) or sham BFRE (n = 10) twice/week for 8 weeks. The exercise protocol consisted of four sets (30 × 15 × 15 × 15 repetitions) of unilateral seated leg extensions and leg curls at 30%–40% of 1RM performed with pneumatic cuffs applied proximally on the trained limb and inflated to 40% of total arterial occlusion pressure (BFRE) or non‐inflated (sham exercise). Maximal voluntary isometric quadriceps and hamstring muscle strength, quadriceps muscle thickness, thigh circumference, and physical function were assessed at baseline, after 4 and 8 weeks of training and at 4‐week follow‐up. No significant between‐group differences were found between BFRE and sham exercise in quadriceps or hamstring muscle strength, 10‐m walking test, timed up & go, 6‐min walking test or the spinal cord independence measure. In contrast, a significant between‐group difference favoring BFRE was present for muscle thickness and thigh circumference from baseline to 4‐week follow‐up (0.76 cm (95% CI: 0.32; 1.20, p = 0.002) and 2.42 cm (0.05; 4.79, p = 0.05), respectively). In conclusion, there was no significant difference in the effect of LL‐BFRE and sham exercise on muscle strength and physical function in individuals with SCI. However, significant increases in muscle thickness and thigh circumference were observed in favor of BFRE.Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03690700.

中文翻译：

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血流限制运动对改善慢性脊髓损伤下肢肌肉力量和功能的疗效：一项随机对照试验


本研究的目的是评估低负荷 （LL） 血流限制运动 （BFRE） 对改善脊髓损伤 （SCI） 个体下肢肌肉力量、肌肉厚度和身体机能的疗效。在一项随机假对照试验中，21 名参与者 （年龄 ≥ 18 岁，SCI 持续时间 ≥ 1 年，膝伸肌力量 2-4 级，亚洲 A-D）被随机分配到 45 分钟 LL-BFRE （n = 11） 或假 BFRE （n = 10） 每周两次，持续 8 周。锻炼方案包括四组 （30 × 15 × 15 × 15 次重复） 单侧坐位腿部伸展和腿部卷曲，为 1RM 的 30%-40%，使用气动袖带在受训练的肢体近端施加并充气至总动脉闭塞压 （BFRE） 的 40% 或不充气（假运动）。在基线、训练 4 周和 8 周后以及 4 周随访时评估最大自主等长股四头肌和腘绳肌力量、股四头肌厚度、大腿围和身体机能。在股四头肌或腘绳肌力量、10米步行测试、计时出发、6分钟步行测试或脊髓独立性测量方面，BFRE和假运动之间没有发现显著的组间差异。相比之下，从基线到 4 周随访，肌肉厚度和大腿围存在有利于 BFRE 的显著组间差异 （分别为 0.76 cm （95% CI： 0.32;1.20， p = 0.002） 和 2.42 cm （0.05;4.79， p = 0.05）。总之，LL-BFRE 和假运动对 SCI 个体肌肉力量和身体功能的影响没有显着差异。然而，观察到肌肉厚度和大腿围的显着增加有利于 BFRE。试验注册：ClinicalTrials。gov 标识符：NCT03690700。