Effectiveness of blood flow restriction training with low-load walking exercise on sarcopenia in older adults
S Madhumitha, PK Senthilkumar · Journal of Sports Science and Nutrition · 2026
Background: Reduced muscle strength, muscle quantity or quality, and physical performance are the hallmarks of sarcopenia, a gradual age-related skeletal muscle condition. Exercise serves as the foundation of management, although some older adults find it difficult to tolerate traditional high-load resistance training. Blood flow restriction (BFR) training increases physiological stimulation to working muscles while enabling exercise with comparatively low external loads. Although functional outcomes remain variable, evidence in older populations suggests potential benefits for strength and physical performance.
Objective: To assess the effects of blood flow restriction (BFR) training combined with low-load walking on functional outcomes associated with sarcopenia in older adults.
Methods: Fifteen adults aged 65 years or older participated in a quasi-experimental, single-group pretest-posttest study conducted at the outpatient department of Excel College of Physiotherapy and Research Center, Komarapalayam. Participants completed a supervised BFR-based low-load walking program. The SARC-F questionnaire and Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) were evaluated pre- and post-intervention, and pre- and post-test scores were compared using a paired t-test.
Results: The mean SARC-F score significantly decreased from 5.67 at baseline to 3.33 post-intervention (t = 11.26, p < 0.001). Similarly, the mean SPPB score significantly increased from 5.60 to 7.80 (t = 9.89, p < 0.001).
Conclusion: BFR combined with low-load walking was associated with significant improvements in lower-extremity physical performance and reduced sarcopenia-related symptoms in this preliminary single-group trial. Due to the absence of a control group, these
Findings: must be interpreted with caution. Future large-scale, randomized controlled trials with longer follow-up periods and standardized BFR protocols are warranted to confirm these effects.