What type of muscle groups should be targeted in exercise prescription for blood flow restriction?

When considering exercise prescription for blood flow restriction (BFR), focusing on large muscle groups is particularly beneficial. Large muscle groups, such as those in the legs (quadriceps, hamstrings) and back (latissimus dorsi), have a higher capacity for load and can typically tolerate higher levels of restriction while still achieving effective resistance training outcomes.

Training these muscle groups with BFR can promote greater hypertrophy and strength gains while minimizing the load used, which reduces stress on joints and connective tissues. Additionally, large muscle groups are linked to hormonal responses that can enhance muscle growth and improve metabolic health when engaged in BFR training.

In contrast, targeting small muscle groups may not elicit the same degree of systemic physiological responses or hypertrophy benefits as larger muscle groups. Core muscle groups are important for stability and overall movement, but they do not generally provide the same level of muscle mass engagement as larger muscle groups do. Focusing exclusively on upper body muscle groups overlooks the significant advantages of training the larger lower body muscles. Hence, large muscle groups are the ideal focus for exercise prescription with blood flow restriction.