Effects of Low-Intensity Blood Flow Restriction Training on Strength and Kicking Performance in Taekwondo 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: LI-BFRT, HIRT.
- Who it may be relevant to
- Registry conditions: Physical Performance, Athletic Performance. Basic parameters: 16 years — 25 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
- China
- 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 Low-Intensity Blood Flow Restriction Training on Lower-Limb Strength and Kicking Performance in Taekwondo Athletes: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Overview
This study aims to investigate the effects of low-intensity blood flow restriction training (LI-BFRT) on lower-limb strength and kicking performance in taekwondo athletes. Blood flow restriction training is a method that partially restricts blood flow to the muscles during exercise, which may improve performance while reducing training load.
Detailed description
This study investigates the effects of low-intensity blood flow restriction training (LI-BFRT) on neuromuscular performance in taekwondo athletes. BFRT involves the application of external pressure to the proximal limbs to partially restrict blood flow during exercise, creating a hypoxic and metabolically stressful environment that may enhance muscle activation and promote performance adaptations.
Participants are randomly assigned to either a LI-BFRT group or a high-intensity resistance training (HIRT) group. Both groups complete a 6-week lower-limb resistance training program performed three times per week. The LI-BFRT group performs exercises at low intensity under controlled occlusion, while the HIRT group performs conventional high-load resistance training.
Outcome assessments focus on lower-limb strength, explosive performance, and sport-specific kicking ability. These measures are used to evaluate the effectiveness of LI-BFRT compared with HIRT in improving performance-related outcomes.
This study aims to determine whether LI-BFRT can achieve comparable training effects to traditional high-intensity resistance training while using lower mechanical loads, providing a practical training strategy for taekwondo athletes.
Interventions
- Other LI-BFRT
Low-intensity resistance training combined with blood flow restriction applied to the proximal limbs. - Other HIRT
Conventional high-intensity resistance training without blood flow restriction.
Primary outcome measures
- Sport-specific kicking performance [Time frame: Baseline and after 6 weeks]
Secondary outcome measures (2)
- Lower-limb strength [Time frame: Baseline and after 6 weeks]
- Anaerobic performance [Time frame: Baseline and after 6 weeks]
Eligibility criteria
Inclusion criteria
\- Taekwondo athletes aged 16-25 years National-level athletes (National Level 1 or higher); Minimum of 3 years of systematic taekwondo training experience; Free from lower-limb injury within the past 6 months; Able to complete the training intervention and testing procedures.
Exclusion criteria
\- History of cardiovascular, metabolic, or neurological disorders; Current musculoskeletal injury or pain affecting training; Participation in other structured resistance training programs during the study period; Use of medications or supplements that may affect physical performance Inability or unwillingness to provide informed consent.
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
- Open label
- Primary purpose
- Basic science
Study locations
China · 1 center
- Shanghai University of Sport — Shanghai
Publications
- Awana G, Rizvi MR, Sharma A, Aldalaykeh M, Zaidi Z, Makhija S, Sami W, Al-Kuwari NFA. Blood flow restriction training enhances punching force and upper body strength in elite boxers: a randomized trial. Front Physiol. 2025 Oct 17;16:1693271. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2025.1693271. eCollection 2025. PMID 41178991
- Erickson LN, Owen MK, Casadonte KR, Janatova T, Lucas K, Spencer K, Brightwell BD, Graham MC, White MS, Thomas NT, Latham CM, Jacobs CA, Conley CE, Thompson KL, Johnson DL, Hardy PA, Fry CS, Noehren B. The Efficacy of Blood Flow Restriction Training to Improve Quadriceps Muscle Function after Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2025 Feb 1;57(2):227-237. doi: 10.1249/MS PMID 39350350
- Schoenfeld BJ. Potential mechanisms for a role of metabolic stress in hypertrophic adaptations to resistance training. Sports Med. 2013 Mar;43(3):179-94. doi: 10.1007/s40279-013-0017-1. PMID 23338987
- Bridge CA, Ferreira da Silva Santos J, Chaabene H, Pieter W, Franchini E. Physical and physiological profiles of taekwondo athletes. Sports Med. 2014 Jun;44(6):713-33. doi: 10.1007/s40279-014-0159-9. PMID 24549477
Identifiers
NCT: NCT07538037 · 102772021RT013