Testing blood flow restriction exercise for weak leg muscles in older adults

The objective of the first year is to collect limb occlusion pressure (LOP) measurements in older adults with varying levels of muscle health, which will serve as foundational data for subsequent investigations on blood flow restriction (BFR) combined with resistance training in individuals with dynapenia. This phase aims to examine LOP values and their potential influencing factors, including demographic and physiological characteristics such as age, height, body weight, blood pressure, waist circumference, body fat percentage, medical history of chronic diseases, and habitual physical activity. Muscle-related assessments will include skeletal muscle mass, thigh and calf circumference, handgrip strength, and lower limb muscle strength. Functional performance will be evaluated using the five-times sit-to-stand test and the SARC-F questionnaire for sarcopenia risk screening. LOP of the lower limbs will be measured using a BFR cuff system combined with a laboratory-developed blood flow detection device. The study will further investigate whether LOP values are associated with the aforementioned factors.

The objective of the second year is to utilize high-density surface electromyography (dEMG) to analyze the electrophysiological characteristics of muscle contraction in individuals with sarcopenia under varying BFR pressures and resistance intensities. This includes examining motor unit recruitment patterns and recruitment thresholds, with the goal of identifying effective and appropriate BFR exercise parameters for this population.

The objective of the third year is to investigate the effects of lower limb BFR combined with resistance training on functional performance in individuals with dynapenia. Building upon the findings from the first year, this phase will implement BFR resistance training interventions and evaluate both short-term and long-term effects. Through an experimental design, the study will assess changes in body composition, muscle strength, and functional performance following a four-month intervention, along with a three-month follow-up period, to determine whether participants can improve to a healthy status and maintain these improvements over time.