What is a potential benefit of exercising under blood flow restriction?

Exercising under blood flow restriction (BFR) has been shown to stimulate muscle hypertrophy and strength gains while using lower loads than typically required for resistance training. One benefit of this approach is the potential increase in anti-clotting factors. When blood flow is restricted during exercise, it leads to metabolic stress and hypoxia in the muscle tissue, prompting the body to adapt by increasing the production of various biochemical factors, which include those that promote vascular health and may enhance the anti-clotting process. This phenomenon can be particularly beneficial for individuals who are rehabilitating injuries or are unable to perform high-load resistance training due to other health considerations.

The other options do not align with the known benefits of exercising under blood flow restriction. Improved flexibility is typically associated with stretching rather than strength training, increased lung capacity is not a direct effect of BFR training but rather can be enhanced through aerobic exercises, and reduced cardiovascular endurance contradicts the potential benefits as BFR can be used in conjunction with cardiovascular work to maintain or even improve fitness without high-impact strain.