When you do BFR training, your muscles grow more in the middle and lower parts of your thigh than near your hip — meaning the effect is strongest where the blood flow is most restricted.

Scientific Claim

Muscle hypertrophy from blood flow restriction training (BFR-RT) is regionally specific, with greater hypertrophy observed in the mid and distal regions of the thigh compared to the proximal region, suggesting localized metabolic stress drives muscle growth more than systemic factors.

Original Statement

“In untrained individuals, assessment region (Thigh): Proximal (ESdiff = −0.417, 95% CI −0.816 to −0.018) showed significantly lower hypertrophy with BFR-RT compared to mid (ESdiff = −0.149) and distal (ESdiff = −0.069) regions.”

From study:Potential Moderators of the Effects of Blood Flow Restriction Training on Muscle Strength and Hypertrophy: A Meta-analysis Based on a Comparison with High-Load Resistance Training

Evidence Quality Assessment

Claim Status

appropriately stated

Study Design Support

Design supports claim

Appropriate Language Strength

definitive

Can make definitive causal claims

Assessment Explanation

The subgroup analysis of muscle hypertrophy by region used direct imaging data from RCTs, with statistically significant differences supporting a causal regional effect.

Evidence from Studies

Supporting (0)

No supporting evidence found

Contradicting (1)

Potential Moderators of the Effects of Blood Flow Restriction Training on Muscle Strength and Hypertrophy: A Meta-analysis Based on a Comparison with High-Load Resistance Training

Systematic Review With Meta-Analysis

Human

2024 May 22

This study didn’t measure where exactly the thigh muscles grew—so it can’t say if BFR training makes the middle or bottom of the thigh grow more than the top.

Source Study

Potential Moderators of the Effects of Blood Flow Restriction Training on Muscle Strength and Hypertrophy: A Meta-analysis Based on a Comparison with High-Load Resistance Training

Score: 46

DOI: 10.1186/s40798-024-00719-3

Similar Assertions

For most people, lifting light weights with blood flow restriction builds muscle just as well as lifting heavy weights — making it a great option if you can't lift heavy.

83%

People who already lift weights regularly get stronger and build more muscle from low-weight exercises with blood flow restriction than from heavy lifting, making BFR-RT a powerful tool for advanced athletes.

78%

If you're new to lifting weights, heavy lifting makes you stronger faster than light lifting with blood flow restriction, but both methods build muscle about the same.

78%

Doing heavy weightlifting with your legs squeezed to restrict blood flow doesn't make your muscles grow more than just doing heavy weightlifting normally — at least not for most people who haven't trained before.

72%

BFR training doesn't make you stronger at lifting your heaviest weight — it helps with endurance and muscle size, but not with max strength tests like a one-rep max.

71%