Grant: Master's Award: Canada Graduate Scholarships

Background: Due to an aging population, finding ways to promote successful ageing is vital. Combining blood flow restriction (BFR) and Telehealth is a novel way of improving both effectiveness and accessibility of training to older adults (OA). BFR the method of reducing perfusion to working muscles using adjustable straps. This allows low intensity to induce high intensity benefits. With OA, maintaining a low intensity is favourable, as a means to maximize safety and adherence to the exercise. The use of Telehealth can easily be combined with BFR to allow increased accessibility. Objective: The goal of this project is to prove that BFR, in combination with online low intensity resistance training will induce improvements in strength and overall functional capacity in OA. Methods: 15-20 older adults will participate in a 10-week online exercise course of 60 minutes biweekly. Three criteria will be tested: strength, functional capacity and oxygen consumption. Testing will be completed prior, midway and after the intervention. Half of the subjects will wear BFR straps and the rest will be a control. Using a dynamometer, quadricep and hamstring force will be assessed. Three functional tests will be used, the sit to stand: rise from a chair as many times as possible, timed up a go: rise from a chair, walk 8ft as fast as possible and return to sit on the chair and sitting-rising test: lowering to the floor and coming back up without using hands or arms. A non-invasive technique will be used to calculate oxygen consumption. Outcomes: It is expected to see better improvements in strength, functional capacity and oxygen consumption in the BFR group. Adherence using Telehealth will be evaluated and determined if it is a sufficient way of training older adults.