Effects of Knee Extension Exercise Using Blood Flow Restriction on the Thickness and Balance Ability of Tendons

Park, Jae Cheol; Kim, Yong Nam

Abstract

PURPOSE
This study examined the effects of knee extension exercise using blood flow restriction on the changes in the thickness and static balance ability of the tendon of the rectus femoris muscle and achilles tendon.
METHODS
A total of 30 subjects was were divided into two groups of 15 subjects each. The changes in the thickness and balance of their tendons were measured by ultrasonography and balance equipment. The measurements were taken three times: before the experiment, 4 weeks after, and 8 weeks after. The results were analyzed by repeated measure ANOVA, one-way ANOVA was conducted in cases where there were time-to-group interactions in the intra-individual effects test.
RESULTS
Significant differences in the thickness of the tendon of the rectus femoris muscle and Achilles tendon were found between the groups, over time, and in the time-to-group interactions (p < 0.05). The changes in balance in both feet when the supporting positions between eye-open and eye-closed states were significantly different in the time-to-group interactions (p < 0.05), but were not different between the groups (p>0.05).
CONCLUSION
Knee extension exercise using blood flow restriction leads to significant differences in the increase in tendon thickness and changes in balance, indicating that the results of this study can be utilized as basic data for future studies and for rehabilitation treatment at clinics.