Christopher Brandner

• PhD
• Strength & Conditioning coach at New South Wales Institute of Sport

We used transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to investigate whether an acute bout of resistance exercise with blood flow restriction (BFR) stimulated changes in corticomotor excitability (motor evoked potential, MEP) and short-interval intracortical inhibition (SICI), and compared the responses to two traditional resistance exercise methods. Ten...

The purpose of the study was to investigate the current use of blood flow restriction (BFR) by practitioners during exercise/training. A questionnaire was developed and data were obtained from 250 participants, with 115 stating that they had prescribed BFR as an intervention. The most common exercise intervention used in combination with BFR was re...

Strength training forms a pivotal part of rehabilitation. Heavy-load strength training (60%–70% one-repetition maximum (1RM)) has been traditionally prescribed to improve muscle strength, body mass and function, 1 but may be unat-tainable and/or confer increased risk of adverse consequences in individuals with a musculoskeletal (MSK) impairment. Th...

The current manuscript sets out a position stand for blood flow restriction exercise, focusing on the methodology, application and safety of this mode of training. With the emergence of this technique and the wide variety of applications within the literature, the aim of this position stand is to set out a current research informed guide to blood f...

Blood flow restriction (BFR) training is increasing in popularity in the fitness and rehabilitation settings due to its role in optimizing muscle mass and strength as well as cardiovascular capacity, function, and a host of other benefits. However, despite the interest in this area of research, there are likely some perceived barriers that practiti...

Purpose: To examine the reliability, validity, and performance characteristics of the 10 to 5 repeated jump test (10-5 RJT) in adolescent male athletes. The 10-5 RJT has been shown to be a valid and reliable test of reactive strength index (RSI) in older adolescents (age 17-19 y), but less is known in younger adolescent athletes at different stage...

Video infographic on research paper

The current manuscript sets out a series of guidelines for blood flow restriction exercise, focusing on the methodology, application and safety of this mode of training. With the emergence of this technique and the wide variety of applications within the literature, the aim of this review is to set out a current research informed guide to blood flo...

Resistance training with blood flow restriction is typically performed during single exercises for the lower- or upper-body, which may not replicate real world programming. The present study examined the change in muscle strength and mass in a young healthy population during an 8-week whole body resistance training program, as well as monitoring th...

Blood flow restriction (BFR) exercise is seen as a potential alternative to traditional training methods, and evidence suggests this is being used with both healthy and clinical populations worldwide. Although the efficacy of the technique regarding muscular adaptations is well known, the safety of its use has been questioned. The purpose of this r...

The hemodynamics of light-load exercise with an applied blood-flow restriction (BFR) have not been extensively compared between light-intensity, BFR, and high-intensity forms of both resistance and aerobic exercise in the same participant population. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to use a randomized crossover design to examine the hemody...

The purpose of this study was to determine the perceptual responses to resistance exercise with either heavy-loads (80% 1 repetition maximum [1-RM]), light-loads (20% 1-RM), or light-loads in combination with blood flow restriction (BFR). Despite the use of light-loads, it has been suggested that the adoption of BFR resistance exercise may be limit...

BACKGROUND: Recently, 3D body scanning has emerged as a promising alternative to traditional anthropometry. However, various steps in the 3D data collection process and analysis can potentially introduce error. PURPOSE: To assess the reliability and validity of the 3D body scanning (3D) technology for use in the assessment of anthropometric variabl...

This thesis provides evidence of central nervous system adaptations as well as reduced exercising haemodynamics and perceptual responses when light-load resistance exercise/training is performed with blood flow restriction. In addition, this type of training appears beneficial in order to target gains in strength and muscle mass in healthy young po...

Light-load blood flow restriction exercise (BFRE) may provide a novel training method to limit the effects of age-related muscle atrophy in older adults. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to compare the haemodynamic response to resistance and aerobic BFRE between young adults (YA; n = 11; 22 ± 1 years) and older adults (OA; n = 13; 69 ± 1 ye...

Light-load exercise training with blood flow restriction (BFR) increases muscle strength and size. However, the hemodynamics of BFR exercise appear elevated compared with non-BFR exercise. This questions the suitability of BFR in special/clinical populations. Nevertheless, hemodynamics of standard prescription protocols for BFR and traditional heav...

INTRODUCTION Previous research has shown that heat acclimation (HA) protocols conducted prior to arrival in a hot environment can improve exercise performance via physiological adaptations that improve heat tolerance. These beneficial adaptations include a lower rest and exercising core temperature (Tc) and heart rate (HR), an expanded plasma volu...

Introduction: Light-load resistance exercise (20-30% 1 repetition maximum [1 RM]) in combination with blood flow restriction (BFR) has been shown to increase strength and muscle mass greater than light-load resistance exercise without BFR. In addition, these adaptations may be as great as those achieved with traditional heavy-load resistance exerci...

Short-interval intracortical inhibition (SICI) of the primary motor cortex (M1) appears to play a significant role in skill acquisition. Consequently, it is of interest to find out which factors cause modulation of SICI. Purpose: To establish if visual feedback and force requirements influence SICI. Methods: SICI was assessed from 10 healthy adults...

Traditional high-load resistance strength training induces hypertrophy of skeletal muscle and increases maximal strength, whilst low-load resistance training protocols typically induces local muscular endurance without any significant increase in hypertrophy or strength. However, recent evidence suggests that when low-load resistance strength train...