Strength training is an essential component of athletic performance in a variety of sports. Athletes who engage in strength training can benefit from increased power, speed, endurance, and injury prevention. However, when athletes are in the midst of their competitive season they often reduce the amount of time they spend on strength training with heavy weights. With practices, games, and travel schedules, it can be challenging to find time for strength training. During the competitive season, athletes also need to prioritize their sport-specific training and minimize the risk of muscle soreness that could hinder their performance. Unfortunately, this puts athletes at risk of losing muscle mass and many strength gains they made during the off-season can begin to regress. If strength training is crucial for athletes to maintain peak performance and reduce the risk of injury, wouldn’t it be great if you could incorporate a form of training that preserves muscle mass and strength while minimizing the stress and fatigue that can come with heavy lifting.x
Note: Sheddon’s physiotherapists from the Oakville and Burlington Physio Clinics are prepared and determined to help you get the best out of your strength training.
That’s where Blood Flow Restriction Training (BFRT) comes in. BFRT is a relatively new and innovative technique that has been gaining popularity in the field of physical therapy and rehabilitation. BFRT uses a specialized cuff or band wrapped around the limb to partially restrict blood flow during exercise. By doing so, athletes can achieve similar strength and muscle gains with less weight, reducing the risk of injury and minimizing time spent in the gym.
BFRT has many advantages for athletes during the competitive season, such as:
- Promotes strength gains/maintenance: BFRT allows athletes to achieve similar strength and muscle gains with lighter weights compared to traditional high-load strength training. This can be particularly beneficial for athletes who need to maintain their strength during the competitive season while reducing the risk of injury from heavy lifting.
- Lower risk of injury: BFRT places less stress on the joints and connective tissues compared to traditional strength training, reducing the risk of injury. This can be particularly beneficial for athletes who are already dealing with injuries or who are at higher risk of injury due to their sport or position.
- Reduced muscle damage and soreness: BFRT has been shown to reduce muscle damage and soreness compared to traditional strength training. This can help athletes recover faster and train more frequently, which can lead to better performance over time.
- Time-efficient: BFRT workouts can be completed in less time than traditional strength training workouts, as the lighter weights and shorter rest periods mean that athletes can perform more sets and reps in a shorter amount of time. This can be particularly beneficial for athletes who have limited time for training during the competitive season.
Overall, BFR training leads to less injury in-season, improved recovery and maintenance of muscle mass.
It is important to approach BFRT with caution and to seek guidance from a trained healthcare professional before attempting this therapy on your own. You can read more about BFRT here.
If you want to learn more about BFRT, or to find out how BFRT can help you, please reach out to liam@sheddonphysio.com for more info and book your consult here:
We are located less than 10 min from Sheridan College Oakville and 6 min East of Oakville Place.
The Burlington physio clinic is located only 8 min north-east of LaSalle Park and 10 min north of Burlington Golf & Country Club, on Plains Rd East.
