Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology
Blood Flow Restriction in Athletic Populations—Part 3: Applications for Cardiovascular Conditioning, Performance Priming, and Clinical Management
By Chris M Gaviglio, Christian John Cook and Stephen P. Bird.
Abstract
Background
The application of blood flow restriction (BFR) training extends beyond traditional resistance, with targeted use in cardiovascular conditioning, performance priming, and clinical applications relevant to athletic populations. Part 3, the final paper of this series, focuses on the application of blood flow restriction (BFR) during cardiovascular exercise (BFR-CV), ischemic preconditioning (IPC), and therapeutic applications, including the management of joint pain, tendinopathy, and bone health.
Methods
A narrative review of research examining BFR applications for cardiovascular conditioning, performance priming, and clinical management was conducted using structured searches of PubMed/MEDLINE, SPORTDiscus, Scopus, and Web of Science, supplemented by targeted literature searching and reference-list screening through May 2026. Search terms encompassed BFR and occlusion training alongside cardiovascular and aerobic exercise, anaerobic and interval training, sprint and sport-specific conditioning, ischemic preconditioning and intra-conditioning, pain and tendinopathy, and bone health. Evidence from trained and athletic populations was prioritized, with relevant clinical and mechanistic studies included where athlete-specific evidence was limited or unavailable. Findings were synthesized narratively across conditioning, IPC/IIC, pain-management, and bone-health applications.