BFR Radio

For the past few episodes, we have focused heavily on how Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) aids in clinical rehabilitation and injury recovery. Today, we are shifting our focus to elite athletic performance and look at a study examining the hormonal impacts of adding a practical BFR finisher to the rigorous resistance training programs of collegiate American football players.   The core problem streng...

Hi everyone, Building on our last episode we continue looking at how BFR can help people with low back pain.  Chronic nonspecific low back pain is a massive hurdle for athletes who must maintain high training loads to compete. Traditionally, achieving meaningful strength adaptations requires loads of at least 70% 1RM. However, for an athlete with compromised lumbar stability and inhibited core mus...

In this episode of BFR Radio, we tackle one of the most challenging populations in clinical practice: individuals with nonspecific chronic low back pain. Traditional core stabilization programs are highly effective for reducing pain and improving function, but they often fall short in driving genuine hypertrophy and high-threshold motor unit recruitment due to the necessary low mechanical loads. W...

In this episode of BFR Radio, we shift our focus from the lower body to the shoulder and explore how blood flow restriction (BFR) can be applied across different phases of shoulder rehabilitation and training. The shoulder presents a unique challenge following injury or surgery. It is highly mobile, heavily reliant on neuromuscular control, and often cannot tolerate traditional high-load resistanc...

Happy New Year. I hope that you all had a nice time over the Christmas and New Year period. To kick 2026 off, we continue the series on using BFR to optimise recovery from injuries. In this episode of BFR Radio, we take a deep dive into the role of BFR training in eccentric hamstring rehabilitation and performance. Hamstring injuries are a persistent challenge in sport, particularly due to the hig...

In this episode of BFR Radio, we complete the three-part ACL rehabilitation series by exploring how Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) can be applied during Phase 3 and Phase 4 of the Melbourne ACL Rehabilitation Guide. Phase 3 and Phase 4 mark a critical transition point in ACL rehabilitation. Athletes are no longer simply rebuilding strength — they are required to express strength under speed, fatigue...

This episode examines how low-load Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) training can enhance outcomes during Phase 2 of ACL reconstruction rehabilitation. Building on Part 1—which covered pre-operative and acute post-operative strategies—this instalment focuses on integrating BFR into early strengthening when high mechanical loads are still contraindicated.   Key findings from several clinical trials demo...

In this episode of BFR Radio, we begin a new series exploring how blood flow restriction (BFR) training can support rehabilitation following major injuries and surgery. For the first episode in this series we are focusing on the acute phase of ACL reconstruction — the period before and immediately after surgery when exercise is limited. You’ll hear how pre-operative BFR strengthening can help prot...

Welcome back to BFR Radio, and to the next episode in our aerobic BFR training series. In this episode, we explore a fascinating 4-week study that combines repeated sprint training with BFR cuffs in university-level basketball players. Article: Elgammal, M., Hassan, I., Eltanahi, N., & Ibrahim, H. (2020). The effects of repeated sprint training with blood flow restriction on strength, anaerobi...

In this episode of BFR Radio, we explores a novel and practical approach to blood flow restriction (BFR) training—applying BFR after sprint intervals, during the recovery period. Drawing on recent research in trained cyclists, we examine how this method can significantly increase VO₂max (by 4.5%) without compromising sprint performance or technique. This episode goes beyond the data—highlighting w...

In the latest episode of BFR Radio, I continue the journey of BFR aerobic exercise and look into the benefits of BFR cycling combined with high-intensity interval training for cyclists. In episode 3, I covered a BFR cycling training study that compared low-intensity BFR cycling with more traditional high-intensity interval training. The results for including low-intensity BFR cycling were surprisi...

In this episode of BFR Radio, we explore a fascinating training study that challenges conventional thinking around aerobic development. Can low-speed walking combined with blood flow restriction (BFR) significantly improve endurance capacity — even in already trained athletes? We dive into the research by Park et al., where trained male basketball players performed just two weeks of low-intensity...

In this Questions in Cars episode of BFR Radio, I answer a rugby player’s question about using Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) training to manage Achilles tendinopathy and arthritis in the big toe. With pre-season in full swing, high running loads are a challenge for tendon health, making rehab strategies crucial. We break down how BFR can be used as both a pain management and strength tool, how it c...

Welcome to BFR Radio, and Happy New Year! 🎉 This episode marks our first episode of 2025, and we’re diving into a fascinating and underexplored topic—Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) training and its potential role in supporting bone health. One of our listeners recently reached out about a 15-year-old client with Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI)—a rare genetic condition that leads to brittle bones. Give...

In this episode of BFR Radio, Kelly Penfold, an experienced ACA Elite Strength and Conditioning Coach, discusses her journey and application of blood flow restriction (BFR) training. Kelly shares her extensive background, working with the Queensland Firebirds netball team and individual elite sport athletes among others. She explains how BFR has been a game-changer in prepping and rehabbing athlet...

In this episode of BFR Radio, we dive into the challenges of managing tendon pain, focusing on Osgood-Schlatter disease and patellar tendonitis. Inspired by a recent conversation with a parent whose child faces knee issues in volleyball, Chris explores evidence-based treatments that go beyond traditional approaches. Whether you're dealing with adolescent athletes or adults with tendon pain, learn...

In this episode of BFR Radio, it is a solid discussion on the use of BFR for tendon injuries.   After the previous episode reviewing an excellent article on the many ways to incorporate BFR into an ACL post-surgery rehab program, this episode’s topic centres around the use of BFR in the rehabilitation of a distal biceps brachii tendon rupture, showcasing a weightlifter's case study. Before we get...

Enhancing ACL Rehab with BFR Training: Insights and Applications In this episode of BFR Radio, the focus is on utilising Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) training in the early stage of ACL rehabilitation. Dr. Gaviglio reviews a recent article from the ASPETAR Sports Medicine Journal, THE USE OF BLOOD FLOW RESTRICTION IN EARLY STAGE REHABILITATION FOLLOWING ACL INJURY This article highlights the multit...

In this episode of BFR Radio, we delve into the use of Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) training as an effective method for accelerating hamstring recovery in athletes. Chris details a real-world case where BFR training helped a decathlete recover from a grade-two hamstring tear in time to compete in the Tokyo Olympics. He explains the science behind BFR, highlighting the role of immune cells, cytokin...

Title: Blood Flow Restriction Training and Cognitive Function: Exploring the Benefits Introduction: Welcome to BFR Radio, a podcast dedicated to all things blood flow restriction training. In this episode, we delve into the fascinating topic of how BFR training can help improve cognitive function. We'll explore recent studies, their findings, and the potential benefits of incorporating BFR into yo...

In this BFR Radio episode, I reflect on the recent Australian Strength and Conditioning Conference (ASCA) where TheBFR.co had an exhibition stand. I had lots of great discussions on BFR training and I can definitely tell the awareness is definitely increasing. This episode is my reflections on the conference (BFR related of course) and I go through the common questions I got asked. In particular I...

Enhancing Cognitive Function with Blood Flow Restriction Training: Unveiling the Neurological Benefits Welcome to the second episode in this series where we look at the positive effects of BFR training and its remarkable impact on cognitive functions. In this installment, we continue our exploration of the intricate relationship between BFR resistance exercise and its potential to significantly en...

Hi and welcome to this episode of BFR Radio.  To kickstart this and the next few episodes, we are going to venture beyond the well-trodden paths of muscle strength and hypertrophy to explore the lesser-known benefits of Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) on cognitive function. In the upcoming episodes, we look at  the research that unveils the promising role of BFR in enhancing cognitive abilities, a to...

Welcome to episode 56.  I hope you enjoyed our last episode with Sean Jorgenson where he outlines how he uses BFR. It was full of practical ways to incorporate BFR into your own routine - no matter how busy you are. This week, I have put together some of the questions that you have asked me. I find these have good application to everyone and I am sure you'll get lots of great handy hints with this...

Welcome to this jam packed episode of BFR Radio.  This was a fun episode to record. In this episode I interview Sean Jorgensen who is a good friend of mine. He is a loving father, and loves to keep fit and active. The addition of BFR into his exercise routine has been a bit of a revolution for multiple reasons. As the title of the episode suggests, the main two benefits is that the addition of BFR...