An Introduction to Modern Strength Training - Blood Flow Restriction
An Introduction to Modern Strength Training - Blood Flow Restriction
This course includes
The instructors
Course Overview
Improve your clinical toolbox with an evidence-based framework for blood flow restriction (BFR) training in the rehabilitation setting. BFR is a safe and effective technique that allows your patients to achieve the physiological adaptations of high-intensity strength training without the joint or tissue stress. This course covers the science, safety, efficacy, and practical application of BFR to enhance muscle growth by safely restricting venous return while allowing arterial blood flow during exercise.
Learning Objectives
- Review exercise physiology principles of strength training and muscle hypertrophy (10 min).
- Understand the safety and efficacy of BFR for both the patient and the clinician, including contraindications and red flags (10 min).
- Learn the practical application of proper blood flow restriction tourniquets (10 min).
- Determine a patient’s limb occlusion pressure (LOP) using Doppler Ultrasound to ensure accurate and safe occlusion (10-15 min).
- Integrate BFR training methods into exercise prescriptions, featuring a proposed protocol for post-op ACL patients (10-15 min).
Target Audience
The primary audience consists of physical therapists and rehabilitation clinicians who currently have a minimal understanding of BFR and want to safely integrate it into their practice.
Why This Course Matters
Traditional rehabilitation often uses loads (40-50% of 1-rep max) that are too low to stimulate optimal muscle growth, potentially prolonging recovery. BFR solves this paradox by allowing patients to perform high-volume, low-load training that generates the necessary metabolic stress for muscle hypertrophy without overloading vulnerable joints. It acts as a vital transitional bridge in early recovery, enabling earlier initiation of muscle training and improving overall rehabilitation outcomes before transitioning to traditional high-intensity strength training.
The instructors
PT, DPT, CertMST, CertAPHPT
Dr. Kyle Coffey is a physical therapist, exercise physiologist, faculty member, and clinical educator who is passionate about educating patients and clinicians about physical therapy, movement, health, fitness, and wellness.
What began as self-application of blood flow restriction (BFR) training to stay healthy while recovering from an upper extremity injury, turned into a love for the research and a desire to safely and effectively apply in both the rehab and training populations. Time is our greatest resource, in life and in the clinic - an adjunct to traditional strength training was needed to help people train and rehab smarter, not harder. Thus Modern Strength Training was born!
In addition to owning his own clinic and educational company, Motus Physical Therapy and Performance, Dr. Coffey is an Assistant Teaching Professor and Exercise Science Program Director at his alma mater, the University of Massachusetts Lowell. His research interests include the use of blood flow restriction in rehabilitation, the role of physical activity in memory, cognition, and academic achievement particularly in the elementary through high school population, and health promotion and disease prevention strategies.
Material included in this course
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Course Materials
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Welcome
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Introduction
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Traditional Strength Training vs. Blood Flow Restriction
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Proper and Improper BFR Systems
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Safety and Wrapping Up
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Questions Part 1
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Questions Part 2
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Summary and Key Insights
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Knowledge Check
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Feedback
I'm a member of the Canadian Physiotherapy Association (CPA). What are the discounts available to CPA Members on Embodia?
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Is a certificate of completion included with this course?
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