Blood Flow Restriction (BFR)
Application and use — rehabilitation, deload and recovery
Blood Flow Restriction is becoming one of the most effective tools in modern sports physiotherapy. We will present its safe, evidence-based use with a focus on injury rehabilitation, deload phases and faster recovery. BFR substitutes for high mechanical load when tissue is damaged or overloaded — it is not an add-on to hard climbing sessions.
Programme
1. Introduction and physiology
The local and systemic response to BFR: why low mechanical load with restricted blood flow produces a similar anabolic stimulus to heavy training.
2. Use in climbing
Indications and contraindications: when BFR helps (tendon injuries, vascular conditions, deload), when it is inappropriate, and when it is absolutely off limits. A practical decision framework for climbers and coaches.
3. Rules of application
Cuff placement (upper arm vs. forearm), how to set cuff pressure correctly, and the step-by-step test protocol. Live demonstration on a volunteer with SmO₂ monitoring.
4. Hands-on part and testing
Participants try applying the cuff themselves under the lecturer's supervision; muscle-oxygen (SmO₂) monitoring shows the difference between exercising with and without the cuff in real time on the screen.
What you leave with
Clear rules for when to use BFR, when not to, and how to set cuff pressure safely.
A concrete training protocol for rehabilitation or deload that you can use safely straight after the workshop.
You try applying the cuff yourself and see the real effect of BFR on muscle oxygenation live on the screen.
How the workshop runs
60 minutes. Physiology, indications and the rules of application, then the cuff and live SmO₂ monitoring.
We keep the group small so the hands-on part stays useful. If demand is high we will try to add another slot.