Dr. Pat Sells, professor of physical therapy, answers questions about his recent research project.

What is your research topic? Why did you choose it?
Blood Flow Restriction (BFR). Muscle mass and aerobic capacity may increase with BFR training, and this suggests that reduced exercise intensity may achieve gains similar to more intense exercise.

What are some of your most interesting results?
BFR compared to non-BFR in patient’s treadmill walking at 3 miles per hour creates a physiological response similar to exercising at much higher intensity, e.g., 6 miles per hour.

What is the importance/application of your research?
BFR could allow improvements at much lower, safer levels of activity. This could mean better outcomes for elderly, cardiac and pulmonary patients, or among any patients who could benefit from increased functional capacity.

Where have you presented your research?
American College of Sports Medicine and the research symposium for the School of Physical Therapy.