OBJECTIVE: To analyze the effectiveness of the blood flow restriction training in improving muscle strength and physical performance in older adults. DATA SOURCES: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized control trials was conducted. The Cochrane Library, PubMed, Web of Sciences, PEDro, Scopus and ScienceDirect databases were systematically searched. STUDY SELECTION: Articles were included if participants were 60 years or older and were considered as healthy. DATA EXTRACTION: The search strategy found a total of 363 studies. Finally, ten articles were included in the systematic review, with a total of 278 healthy older adults analyzed. DATA SYNTHESIS: The main results of the meta-analysis showed a statistical difference of muscle strength in favor of blood flow restriction training when compared with conventional, and no statistical differences with high-intensity resistance training. Physical performance showed a non-statistical difference between the blood flow restriction training group and conventional training group and no training group. CONCLUSIONS: Blood flow restriction training is an interesting alternative to high-intensity strength training for improving muscle strength in older people who cannot perform high-load exercises.

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