As the world eagerly anticipates the Paris 2024 Olympics, athletes and their support teams are constantly exploring innovative recovery methods to gain an edge.
One such method, is passive blood flow restriction (pBFR), also known as ischemic preconditioning. It is emerging as a secret weapon in the recovery arsenal of many elite athletes.
This cutting-edge technique has the potential to enhance recovery, and maintain peak performance. Thus, ensuring athletes are at their best when it matters most.
Understanding Passive Blood Flow Restriction

Passive blood flow restriction involves the application of a cuff or band to a limb. This restricts venous blood flow while allowing some arterial inflow.
Unlike traditional BFR used during exercise, pBFR is applied while the athlete is at rest. This promotes recovery without additional physical strain.
The physiological effects of pBFR are significant. The restriction increases the buildup of metabolites, stimulating muscle repair and growth factors.
Moreover, even in the absence of exercise, pBFR enhances muscle protein synthesis, aiding in muscle recovery and adaptation.
When the cuff is removed, the subsequent surge of blood flow delivers nutrients and oxygen to the muscles. That can help facilitate faster recovery.
Application for Olympic Athletes
For Olympic athletes, recovery is paramount. Whether its to train hard or recover better, every advantage is important to Olympic athletes.
Ken Vick, a leading expert in athlete recovery and performance who has coached or advised athletes in 5 Summer Olympic Games, explains, “Recovery is crucial for any athlete, especially in events like the Olympics where the difference between winning and losing can come down to tenths or hundredths of a second. For some, passive blood flow restriction could be a game-changer. It enhances recovery without adding physical strain, making it ideal for athletes preparing for the Games.”
“For some athletes we work with, they will have extended tournaments over 2 weeks. That means any recovery edge will accumulate over the tournament. BFR could be great for helping their muscles recover.”
After Training & Competition
Passive BFR can be particularly beneficial between training sessions. Athletes often face multiple intense training sessions daily. pBFR can be used between these sessions to accelerate recovery, reduce muscle soreness, and prepare the body for the next workout.
Post-competition, Passive Blood Flow Restriction helps reduce muscle fatigue and promotes quicker recovery, enabling athletes to maintain peak performance throughout the Olympics. A small advantage recovering each day, will be a big advantage by the end of the tournaments when going for a medal.
In both of these cases, one of the advantages of pBFR for recovery is that it is passive. It takes no additional effort of energy expenditure from the athlete.
Athletes may use pBFR somewhere between a half hour and up to 18 hours after the work. usually sooner is better as this gives the tissues more time to regenerate as stimulated by the pBFR.
At Vive we often like to use in combination with manual therapy. Manual therapy can also be a stimulus for an athletes tissues to go through the natural regeneration process. So, the manual tissue work creates an environment for regeneration, and the cellular signalling and hormone cascade from pBFR supports it.
Practical and Portable
The practical implementation of passive blood flow reovery for recovery is also straightforward. The devices are portable and can be easily used in various settings, including training facilities, hotels, or even during travel.
They require only the BFR cuffs and a device to monitor pressure, making pBFR a convenient option for athletes with limited access to full recovery facilities.

Scientific Support for Passive Blood Flow Restriction
The efficacy of cyclic Passive Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) is supported by research. It begins with the early ischemic preconditioning research in the cardiac surgery realm. Newer work on athletes is also emerging including studies by Page et al. (2017), Daab et al. (2021), and a comprehensive review on ischemic preconditioning by Arriel (2020). These studies highlight substantial benefits for reducing muscle soreness and accelerating recovery.
In Page’s study, participants performed 5 sets of 20 drop jumps from a 0.6-meter box to induce muscle damage. They then either followed a control protocol or a Passive BFR protocol. The BFR protocol involved placing a cuff on the upper limb at 220 mm Hg for 5 minutes, followed by 5 minutes of reperfusion, repeated three times.
Measurements at 24, 48, and 72 hours post-exercise showed a ~28% reduction in delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) for those using Passive BFR. The authors concluded, “This investigation shows that intermittent lower limb occlusion administered after a damaging bout of exercise reduces indices of muscle damage and accelerates the recovery in physically active males.”
In the sutudy by Daab et. al (2021) they imposed a demanding running test on soccer players to create fatigue. Compared to a placebo group, the application of several rounds of pBFR reduced the loss of strength & power, lowered the markers of inflammation and muscle damage, and reduced DOMS.
A comprehensive review by Arriel et. al in 2020 further supports these findings, demonstrating that BFR can reduce muscle damage and inflammation, and improve recovery outcomes. This evidence underscores the scientific rationale behind cyclic Passive BFR and its practical application in sports recovery.
Ken Vick, Vive Human Performance Director
“The evidence of the protective effects form ischemic preconditioning when used with cardiac surgery is overwhelming. A growing body of research is also showing us that it can help with recovery. Yes, there are still questions and more research is needed.
However, with ease of use, high potential for benefit, low risk of negative effects, and a scientific rationale, its worth it for these athletes to get an edge “
Consider Passive Blood Flow Restriction for Recovery
Passive Blood Flow Restriction is proving to be a valuable recovery tool for elite athletes, providing significant benefits in muscle repair, adaptation, and overall recovery without additional physical stress.
Its application during the preparation and competition phases of the Paris 2024 Olympics can give athletes a crucial edge in maintaining peak performance. By integrating pBFR into their recovery regimen, athletes can optimize their recovery strategies, ensuring they are ready to compete at their best.