What is the buzz all about surrounding blood flow restriction training (BFR)?

You should be asking yourself that as a health professional. With almost 200 peer-reviewed articles in the scientific literature the efficacy and safety cannot be denied.

By applying proper BFR techniques to exercising limbs you can:

• Increase strength
• Increase hypertrophy
• Increase VO₂ Max

BFR is the act of safely restricting venous blood flow from a working muscle, but allowing arterial blood flow to that working muscle. This is done primarily with low intensity resistance training. Since the ability of that blood to escape is dramatically reduced, metabolic stress and cellular swelling are greatly increased.

So what does this mean for you the health professional?

• Drastically improve your patients' post-surgical recovery time
• Treat muscle atrophy in both acute and chronic pain patients
• Use as accessory work into your client programming for less stress on joints and tendons
• Increase your endurance athlete’s VO2 Max with as little as 2x/week BFR training
• Separate yourself from other clinicians by performing the latest, evidenced-based rehab/exercise program

This course will cover:

• The wide range of benefits of BFR training
• Contraindications to BFR and when and where it should be applied
• How to safely screen and assess your patient/client prior to BFR
• How to safely apply BFR cuffs for the upper and lower extremity
• Compare and contrast different uses of BFR from bed ridden to athletic performance training
• Develop and devise a rehab program for your patients and clients

Want help your patients and clients safely and effectively reach their goals? Come check out this 1-day BFR certification course and revolutionize your practice and training program.

Date: September 20, 2025

Time: 8:00am - 6:00pm

Venue: Physique Physical Therapy, 5251 S Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa, FL 33611

Level 1 Blood Flow Restriction Training  Course – 1 Day (8 Hours)

Course Description:

BLOOD FLOW RESTRICTION REHABILITATION (BFR) IS A POWERFUL TOOL FOR THE REHABILITATION AND FITNESS PROFESSIONAL. WITH OVER 160 PEER-REVIEWED ARTICLES IN THE SCIENTIFIC LITERATURE THE EFFICACY CAN NOT BE DENIED. BY USING PROPER BFR TECHNIQUES TO EXERCISING LIMBS YOU CAN IMPROVE STRENGTH, HYPERTROPHY AND ENDURANCE CHANGES WHILE USING A VERY LIGHT LOAD WITHIN A SMALL SPACE LIKE AN ATHLETIC TRAINING ROOM OR SMALL TREATMENT ROOM.

Course Objectives:

By the end of the course, attendees will be able to:

• Discuss the benefits of blood flow restriction (BFR) training
• Discuss Indications and Contraindications of BFR Training
• Demonstrate safe and effective placement of BFR cuffs
• Compare and contrast different uses of BFR from bed ridden to athleticperformance training
• Critically Analyze the utility of BFR in the rehabilitation setting
• Develop and devise a training program for a potential patient or client

Course Outline:

Hour 1 - Introduction

• What is Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) Training
• Why would a clinician use BFR - Increase Strength/Hypertrophy/Cardiovascular function in a rehab setting
• Why would a fitness fanatic use BFR - Increase Strength/hypertrophy/Recovery/cardio - in a gym/crossfit setting
• Case Studies

Hour 2 - The Science Behind BFR Training

Hour 3 - How Does BFR Work?

Hour 4 - Who benefits from BFR?

• Who should avoid BFR?
• Indications/Contraindications
• Programming BFR Training
• High intensity Training (def.)
• Low Intensity Training (def.)
• Establishing a 1RM using a 10RM test f. Reps and Sets and total volume

Hour 5 - Using BFR Cuffs

• Compression Scale -
• Pneumatic Compression Scale
• Upper Extremity Application - Zone
• radial pulse
• Lower Extremity Application - Zone
• posterior tibialis pulse

Hour 6 - Upper Extremity Exercises

Hour 7 - Lower Extremity Exercises

Hour 8 - Using BFR for recovery

Hour 9 - Using BFR for increasing Aerobic Capacity

References:

1. Kacin A, & Strazar K (2011). Frequent low-load ischemic resistance exercise to failure enhances muscle oxygen delivery and endurance capacity. Scand J Med Sci Sports, 21, e231-241.

2. Wilson JM, Lowery RP, Joy JM, Loenneke JP, & Naimo MA (2013). Practical Blood Flow Restriction Training Increases Acute Determinants of Hypertrophy Without Increasing Indices of Muscle Damage. J Strength Cond Res, epub ahead of print.

3. Loenneke JP, Abe T, Wilson JM, Ugrinowitsch C, & Bemben MG (2012) Blood flow restriction: how does it work? Front Physiol, 3, 392.

4. Loenneke JP, Wilson JM, Marin PJ, Zourdos MC, & Bemben MG (2012). Low intensity blood flow restriction training: a meta-analysis. Eur J Appl Physiol, 112(5), 1849-1859.

5. Loenneke JP, Fahs CA, Wilson JM, & Bemben MG (2011). Blood flow restriction: the metabolite/volume threshold theory. Med Hypotheses, 77(5), 748-752.

6. Loenneke JP, Fahs CA, Rossow LM, Abe T, & Bemben MG (2011). The anabolic benefits of venous blood flow restriction training may be induced by muscle cell swelling. Med Hypotheses, 78(1) , 151-154.

7. Loenneke JP, Wilson GJ, & Wilson JM (2010) A mechanistic approach to blood flow occlusion. Int J Sports Med, 31(1) , 1-4.

8. Schoenfeld, BJ (2013). Potential mechanisms for a role of metabolic stress in hypertrophic adaptations to resistance training. Sports Med, 43(3), 179-194.

9. Loenneke JP, Abe T, Wilson JM, Thiebaud RS, Fahs CA, Rossow LM, & Bemben MG (2012) Blood flow restriction: an evidence-based progressive model. Acta Physiol Hung, 99(3) , 235-250.

10. Thiebaud RS, Yasuda T, Loenneke JP, Abe T (2013). Effects of low-intensity concentric and eccentric exercise combined with blood flow restriction on indices of exercise-induced muscle damage. Interven Med Appl Sci, 5, 53-59.

11. Lowery RP, Joy JM, Loenneke JP, Oliveira de Souza E, Weiner S, McCleary S, & Wilson JM (2013). Practical blood flow restriction training increases muscle hypertrophy during a periodized resistance training program. National Strength and Conditioning Conference, J Strength Cond Res supplement.

• 25% fee for registration cancellations made less than 2 weeks before scheduled class date.
• Training may be canceled if a minimum number of trainees are not reached one month prior to training. All registrants will receive a full refund or immediate transfer to a future training.
• If a course has to be cancelled last minute, whether if the instructor has an emergency or the weather, we will do everything we can to notify you of any course cancellation.
• Wear loose clothing, shorts preferable.
• GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE: Every attempt is made to offer programs as announced. Smart Tools reserves the right to adjust program faculty, location, dates, times, and/or tuition to accommodate unanticipated occurrences, to limit seating, or to cancel due to insufficient enrollment. Smart Tools is not responsible for any expenses incurred by registrants due to program adjustments or cancellation. Only those who are preregistered can be notified in the event of changes/cancellation.
• Policy for Grievance Resolution: A full description of the grievance must be submitted in writing to the Smart Tools Education Coordinator (education@smarttoolsplus.com). Upon assessment of the circumstances surrounding the grievance, the Coordinator will make a determination as to the validity of the complaint and the degree (if any) of Smart Tools’ culpability.Resolution may include any of the following:- Tuition fees may be waived- Tuition fees may be reduced- Tuition fees may be refunded- A credit amount may be given toward another class- No action taken, tuition fees may stand as advertised.

Physical Therapists

This course has been approved for 9.0 CE hours by APTA Chapters in the following states: CA, FL, IL, LA, MD, MN, NJ, NV, NY, OH, TX

The following states accept courses approved by other APTA Chapters: AL, AK, AR, AZ (Cat.A), DC, DE, GA, HI, ID, IN, KS, KY, MI, MO, MS, MT (Cat.A), NC, ND, NM, OR, PA, RI, SC, TN (Class 1), UT, VA, VT, WI, WY

The following states do not pre-approve courses:

*CO: This course qualifies for 9.0 PDAs, Category 1. This course abides by regulatory guidelines for continuing education in Colorado for PTs and PTAs.

*CT: This course abides by regulatory guidelines for continuing education for PTs and PTAs in Connecticut and qualifies for 9.0 CE hours.

*IA: The Bureau of Professional Licensure does not pre-approve continuing education providers, sponsors or individual programs. It is the licensees’ responsibility to determine if the continuing education programs they attend meet the requirements of their professional licensure board. This course qualifies for 9.0 CE hours.

*MA: This course abides by regulatory guidelines for continuing education for PTs and PTAs in Massachusetts and qualifies for 9.0 CE hours.

*ME: This course abides by regulatory guidelines for continuing education for PTs and PTAs in Maine and qualifies for 9.0 CE hours.

*NE: This course abides by regulatory guidelines for continuing education for PTs and PTAs in Nebraska and qualifies for 9.0 CE hours.

*NH: This course abides by regulatory guidelines for continuing education for PTs and PTAs in New Hampshire (RSA 328-A) and qualifies for 9.0 CE hours.

*WA: This course abides by regulatory guidelines for continuing education for PTs and PTAs in Washington and qualifies for 9.0 CE hours.

Athletic Trainers

Smart Tools (Approved Provider#: P10179) is approved by the Board of Certification, Inc. to provide continuing education to Athletic Trainers. This program is eligible for a maximum of 9 Category A hours/CEUs. ATs should claim only those hours actually spent in the educational program.