About this episode

This episode discusses the effects of Blood Flow Restriction training on testosterone levels in collegiate athletes.

For the past few episodes, we have focused heavily on how Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) aids in clinical rehabilitation and injury recovery. Today, we are shifting our focus to elite athletic performance and look at a study examining the hormonal impacts of adding a practical BFR finisher to the rigorous resistance training programs of collegiate American football players. The core problem strength and conditioning coaches face is maximizing the anabolic environment for their athletes without inducing excessive catabolic stress. This episode unpacks how a brief, 10-to-12-minute BFR finisher at 20% of a 1-Repetition Maximum (1RM) can significantly elevate salivary testosterone over a seven-week period when paired with a high-volume traditional training program. We explore the physiological roles of testosterone and cortisol at the tissue level, the importance of the testosterone-to-cortisol ratio, and why the time of day you train (and test) matters enormously. References Luebbers, P., Kriley, L., Eserhaut, D., Andre, M., Butler, M., & Fry, A. (2025). Salivary Testosterone and Cortisol Responses to Seven Weeks of Practical Blood Flow Restriction Training in Collegiate American…

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