Current Role
Instructor, Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Dalhousie University.
Dr. Joshua Slysz
I help clinicians, coaches, educators, and students understand blood flow restriction training through clear, evidence-informed education.
Professional Focus
Research, teaching, and practical BFR education.
Dr. Joshua Slysz is an Instructor in the Department of Physiology and Biophysics at Dalhousie University. His academic background spans biology, applied human science, human health and nutritional sciences, and clinical exercise physiology.
His work connects exercise and muscle physiology, blood flow restriction training, ischemic preconditioning, knowledge translation, and physiology education. This site brings that work together in a practical format for people who want to learn, teach, and apply BFR more confidently.
Education
- B.Sc. Biology, University of Prince Edward Island
- M.Sc. Applied Human Science, University of Prince Edward Island
- Ph.D. Human Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Guelph
- Postdoctoral fellowship in Clinical Exercise Physiology, Northwestern University
Selected BFR Publications
Research related to blood flow restriction training.
The efficacy of blood flow restricted exercise: A systematic review & meta-analysis
Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport. 2016;19(8):669-675.
The Effects of Blood Flow Restricted Electrostimulation on Strength and Hypertrophy
Journal of Sport Rehabilitation. 2018;27(3):257-262.
Risks of Exertional Rhabdomyolysis With Blood Flow-Restricted Training: Beyond the Case Report
Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine. 2018;28(6):491-492.
Blood Flow Restriction Combined with Electrical Stimulation Attenuates Thigh Muscle Disuse Atrophy
Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise. 2021;53:1033-1040.
Blood flow restriction in the presence or absence of muscle contractions does not preserve vasculature structure and function following 14-days of limb immobilization
European Journal of Applied Physiology. 2021;121(9):2437-2447.
Selected Ischemic Preconditioning Publications
Research related to ischemic preconditioning, pain sensitivity, and exercise performance.
Enhanced Metabolic Stress Augments Ischemic Preconditioning for Exercise Performance
Frontiers in Physiology. 2018;9:1621.
Impact of eight weeks of repeated ischemic preconditioning on aerobic capacity in highly trained middle-distance runners
European Journal of Applied Physiology. 2019;119(6):1431-1437.
An examination of individual responses to ischemic preconditioning and the effect of repeated ischemic preconditioning on cycling performance
European Journal of Sport Science. 2020;20(5):633-640.
Ischemic Preconditioning: Improved Cycling Performance Despite Nocebo Expectation
International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance. 2020;15(3):354-360.
Ischemic Preconditioning: Modulating Pain Sensitivity and Exercise Performance
Frontiers in Physiology. 2021;12:696488.