Physiological Outcomes of High-intensity Interval Training With Post-exercise Blood Flow Restriction

NCT05835557 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: IRB-2023-235
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 40
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This research study revolves around the physiological outcomes of using post-exercise blood flow restriction (BFR) with high intensity short interval training (ST) The main aims of this study are to compare (i) aerobic performance outcomes, and (ii) anaerobic and muscular performance outcomes - between 2 groups of participants after either undergoing 3 weeks of ST + post-exercise BFR (BFR-ST) or traditional ST.

Conditions

Exercise Performance

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• Maximum oxygen uptake and power

  Will be assessed at baseline (Day 0 - Pre) and the change in this outcome 24 hours after 9 sessions of training over 3 weeks (Post)

• 20 km Cycling time trial

  Will be assessed at baseline (Day 0 - Pre) and the change in this outcome 24 hours after 9 sessions of training over 3 weeks (Post)

• Wingate test of anaerobic power

  Peak and mean power and rate of fatigue

  Will be assessed at baseline (Day 0 - Pre) and the change in this outcome 24 hours after 9 sessions of training over 3 weeks (Post)

Secondary Outcomes (3)

• Exercise economy

  Will be assessed at baseline (Day 0 - Pre) and the change in this outcome 24 hours after 9 sessions of training over 3 weeks (Post)

• Isometric mid-thigh pull

  Will be assessed at baseline (Day 0 - Pre) and the change in this outcome 24 hours after 9 sessions of training over 3 weeks (Post)

• Countermovement jump height

  Will be assessed at baseline (Day 0 - Pre) and the change in this outcome 24 hours after 9 sessions of training over 3 weeks (Post)

Study Arms (2)

Blood flow restriction with short interval training (BFR-ST)

EXPERIMENTAL

9 sessions of high intensity short interval training with blood flow restriction.

Other: BFR-ST

Sham altitude with short interval training (ST)

SHAM COMPARATOR

9 sessions of high intensity short interval training in an altitude chamber.

Other: ST

Interventions

BFR-ST OTHER

Undergo 9 sessions of high intensity short interval training involving 3 sets of 8-10 repetitions of 30 secs interval cycling and 30 secs recovery at 100-110% of maximal aerobic power. In between sets there will be 3 mins of passive rest. Blood flow restriction will be applied for 2 mins during the passive rest at 80% of limb occlusion pressure.

Blood flow restriction with short interval training (BFR-ST)

ST OTHER

Undergo 9 sessions of high intensity short interval training involving 3 sets of 8-10 repetitions of 30 secs interval cycling and 30 secs recovery at 100-110% of maximal aerobic power. In between sets there will be 3 mins of passive rest. Cycling will be conducted in an environmental chamber and participants informed that the altitude is set to 2500m - actual altitude will be sea level.

Sham altitude with short interval training (ST)

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 40 Years
• Gender Eligibility Details: Males
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Male
• years
• Actively performing endurance exercise (running or cycling) for at least 2 sessions (1 - 1.5h) per week
• Healthy (free from illnesses) and no musculoskeletal injuries for the past 6 months
• No history of cardiometabolic, vascular diseases or similar conditions (e.g., high blood pressure, peripheral vascular diseases, heart diseases, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, stroke, etc.).
• Pass the pre-participation health screening tests - Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire for Everyone (PAR-Q+) and Australian Institute of Sport Blood Flow Restriction (AIS BFR) pre-screening questionnaire (no history of any risk factors).
• Achieve a maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max) of ≥40ml/kg/min during a maximal aerobic power cycling screening test.
• Non-smoker
• Drink alcohol less than 3 times each week and less than 3 drinks each time

You may not qualify if:

• Persons with any form of illnesses and/or musculoskeletal injuries for the past 6 months
• Any history of cardiometabolic, vascular diseases or similar conditions which may worsen with the use of blood flow restriction during exercise
• Fail the pre-participation health screening tests
• Below 40ml/kg/min VO2max during maximal aerobic power cycling test
• Smoker
• History of asthma or taking medication for asthma.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Nanyang Technological University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Human Bioenergetics Laboratory, National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University

Singapore, 637616, Singapore

Location

Related Publications (1)

• Chua MT, Sim A, Aziz AR, Polglaze T, Burns SF. Blood Flow Restriction during Rest Periods of High-Intensity Interval Training Enhances Endurance Performance: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Study. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2026 Jan 1;58(1):86-98. doi: 10.1249/MSS.0000000000003834. Epub 2025 Aug 12.

  PMID: 40792614 DERIVED

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT
• Masking Details: Sham treatment of altitude exposure in an environmental chamber.
• Purpose: OTHER
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Associate Professor

Model Details: Two groups exposed to 9 sessions of high intensity short interval training with or without blood flow restriction between sets of exercise.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: April 5, 2023
• First Posted: April 28, 2023
• Study Start: July 1, 2023
• Primary Completion: September 30, 2024
• Study Completion: September 30, 2024
• Last Updated: April 13, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-04

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will share
• Shared Documents: ANALYTIC CODE
• Time Frame: Upon publication - permanent repository
• Access Criteria: Public repository - exact web address available upon publication.

Locations

SG (1)