Heavy-load Resistance Training With and Without Blood Flow Restriction Therapy in Athletes
For patients and families
In plain language
An automatic summary of structured registry data. It is an orientation aid, not a substitute for the official protocol or a physician assessment.
- What is being studied
- The protocol lists: Heavy-Load Resistance Training with Blood Flow Restriction, Heavy-Load Resistance Training Only.
- Who it may be relevant to
- Registry conditions: Sports Physical Therapy. Basic parameters: 18 years — 35 years · All.
- What needs checking
- Age, condition and sex are only basic indicators. Prior treatment, laboratory values and other mandatory requirements appear in the eligibility criteria below.
- Where it takes place
- Pakistan
- Next step
- Save the trial, show it to the treating physician, and confirm current recruitment with the study center. Costs, documents and travel →
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Official title
Effects of Heavy-load Resistance Training With and Without Blood Flow Restriction Therapy on Quadriceps Muscle Strength and Endurance in Athletes
Overview
A 8 weeks, single-blinded randomized controlled trial will be conducted at Pakistan Sports Board (PSB). Forty-four athletes (18-35 years) will be randomized into Group A (HL-RT + BFR, n = 22) and Group B (HL-RT only, n = 22). BFR will be applied at 50% limb occlusion pressure during lower-body exercises (squats, leg press). Both groups trained 3x/week for 4 weeks at 70-80% 1RM. Outcomes included 1RM strength, squat endurance, push-up performance, and International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) scores.
Detailed description
This study is a single-blinded randomized controlled trial (RCT) comparing heavy-load resistance training (HLRT) with blood flow restriction (BFR) versus HLRT alone. Participants will be blinded to group allocation, but outcome assessors will not remain blinded throughout the study.
Group A participants will perform three important exercises namely back squats, leg press, and bench press. Those exercises were performed at a training intensity ranging from 70-80% of each person's 1-repetition maximum (1RM). 12 cm pneumatic cuffs was placed proximally on the thigh (for exercise of lower body) and arm (for exercise of upper body), and blood flow restriction was applied through them. Doppler ultrasound was used weekly to measure limb occlusion pressure (LOP) to then set the cuff pressure at 50% of each participant's predetermined LOP. During working sets it was made the cuffs inflated but during rest periods they were deflated. The exercise protocol consists of:
* Back squats: 4 sets of 6 repetitions * Leg press: 3 sets of 8 repetitions * Bench press: 3 sets of 10 repetitions All sets will be followed by a standardized 2-minute rest period. Training load will progressively increased by 2.5-5% when participants can complete all prescribed repetitions with proper form for two consecutive sessions.
Group B: Heavy-Load Resistance Training Only (HLRT) This control group will perform the identical exercise protocol (same exercises, intensities, volumes, and rest periods) as the BFR group, but without any blood flow restriction application. The same progression criteria will be used for both groups to ensure comparable training stimulus.
Post-Intervention Data Collection (Week 4)
Following the 4-week intervention period, all participants were undergone reassessment using the same measures collected at baseline:
1. 1RM testing for back squat and bench press 2. Muscular endurance tests (max repetition squat test and 1-minute push-up test) 3. International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ)
Interventions
- Other Heavy-Load Resistance Training with Blood Flow Restriction
Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) Training (also known as "Kaatsu" training is an innovative and increasingly popular exercise technique to improve muscle strength and hypertrophy with relatively low loads. Heavy Load Resistance Training (HL-RT) is one of the most effective exercise methodology that is widely used to increase muscular strength and hypertrophy. - Other Heavy-Load Resistance Training Only
Heavy Load Resistance Training (HL-RT) is one of the most effective exercise methodology that is widely used to increase muscular strength and hypertrophy.
Primary outcome measures
- 1RM strength [Time frame: 6 weeks]
- Squat Endurance [Time frame: 6 weeks]
- Push Up Performance [Time frame: 6 weeks]
- International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) scores [Time frame: 6 weeks]
Eligibility criteria
Inclusion criteria
- Participants with age between 18 and 35 years.
- Active individual participating in sport activities at least 3 times a week for the past 6 months.
- Participants with any non-heart conditions.
- Individuals voluntarily participating and providing informed consent.
- Sprinters, Footballer
Exclusion criteria
- Individuals with DVT or other pulmonary artery disease.
- Pregnant women or those planning to become pregnant.
- Participants with recent musculoskeletal injuries (within the 6 months).
- Individuals currently involved in another study.
- Participants allergic to or sensitive to the materials used in the BFR bands.
- Individuals who anticipate being unable to attend all training sessions.
Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.
Healthy volunteers: Yes
Study design
- Allocation
- Randomized
- Model
- Parallel assignment
- Masking
- Single blind
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
Study locations
Pakistan · 1 center
- Pakistan Sports Board — Lahore
Identifiers
NCT: NCT07128862 · REC/RCR & AHS/24/0461