Pneumatic Compression vs Blood Flow Restriction for Muscle Recovery

NCT06815367 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: HS-23-00594
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 33
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Both BFR and intermittent pneumatic compression are purported to decrease symptoms associated with exercise induced muscle damage (EIMD) that cause delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). Blood flow restriction relies on applying pressurized cuffs to the most proximal portion of the limb. Another form of recovery often relied upon is pneumatic compression. The mechanism by which pneumatic compression works is similar to that of a massage, whereby the device progressively increases the pressure on a portion of the limb before releasing and moving further up the limb.The purpose of this study is determine whether BFR or pneumatic compression can be used to decreased DOMS which may indicate enhanced recovery.

Conditions

Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (4)

• Counter Movement Jump Height

  Participants will be asked to complete three consecutive counter movement jumps with hands on hips. The CMJ will be used as an indirect measure of muscle function.

  Immediately before and immediately after exercise, immediately after treatment, 24-hours post treatment.

• Maximal Voluntary Isometric Contraction

  Participants will be asked to complete an MVIC to assess muscle function.

  Immediately before and immediately after exercise, immediately after treatment, 24-hours post treatment.

• Sedentary delayed onset muscle soreness

  Using a visual analog scale, participants will be asked to rate their level of soreness while at rest.

  Immediately before and immediately after exercise, immediately after treatment, 24-hours post treatment.

• Active delayed onset muscle soreness

  Using a visual analog scale, participants will be asked to rate their level of soreness while completing a wall sit.

  Using a visual analog scale, participants will be asked to rate their level of soreness while at rest.

Study Arms (3)

Control

NO INTERVENTION

The participants will be asked to refrain from exercise 24 hours prior to and following the exercise. Participants will complete all pre-exercise tests (DOMS, CMJ, MVIC). The exercise consists of running on a treadmill situated at a -10% grade at 9 km/hr (5.59 mph) for 20 minutes. This is proceeded and followed by 5 minute warm-up/cool-down periods. Those that are allocated to the "control" group, will not receive treatment after the downhill running protocol.

Pneumatic compression

EXPERIMENTAL

The participants will be asked to refrain from exercise 24 hours prior to and following the exercise. Participants will complete all pre-exercise tests (DOMS, CMJ, MVIC). The exercise consists of running on a treadmill situated at a -10% grade at 9 km/hr (5.59 mph) for 20 minutes. This is proceeded and followed by 5 minute warm-up/cool-down periods. Those allocated to the "pneumatic compression" group will receive 20 minutes of pneumatic compression at 100 mmHg.

Device: Pneumatic Compression

Blood flow restriction

EXPERIMENTAL

The participants will be asked to refrain from exercise 24 hours prior to and following the exercise. Participants will complete all pre-exercise tests (DOMS, CMJ, MVIC). The exercise consists of running on a treadmill situated at a -10% grade at 9 km/hr (5.59 mph) for 20 minutes. This is proceeded and followed by 5 minute warm-up/cool-down periods. Those allocated to the "BFR" group will receive 4 rounds of treatment: 3 minutes will be spent at 100% of resting limb occlusion pressure, followed by 2 minutes of 0% occlusion.

Device: Blood Flow Restriction

Interventions

Blood Flow Restriction DEVICE

Following the downhill running protocol, participants will complete 4 rounds of treatment: 3 minutes at 100% resting limb occlusion pressure, 2 minutes of 0% resting limb occlusion pressure.

Blood flow restriction

Pneumatic Compression DEVICE

Following downhill running protocol, participants will complete 20 minutes of pneumatic compression at 100 mmHg.

Pneumatic compression

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 30 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• years of age
• Recreationally active population
• Women should be on a form of hormonal contraception.
• No current musculoskeletal injuries or pathologies
• Must answer "yes" to all PAR-Q questions.

You may not qualify if:

• Individuals that routinely train trail running
• Discomfort when running
• Deep vein thrombosis
• Blood clots
• Cancerous lesions
• Sensory or mental impairment
• Unstable fractures
• Acute pulmonary edema
• Acute thrombophlebitis
• Acute congestive cardiac failure
• Acute infections
• Episodes of pulmonary embolism
• Wounds, lesions, infection, or tumors
• Bone fractures or dislocations
• Increased venous and lymphatic return

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Southern California: lead

Study Sites (1)

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, California, 90033, United States

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Interventions

Intermittent Pneumatic Compression Devices; Blood Flow Restriction Therapy

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Equipment and Supplies; Exercise Therapy; Rehabilitation; Aftercare; Continuity of Patient Care; Patient Care; Therapeutics; Physical Therapy Modalities

Central Study Contacts

Bailey McLagan, MS

CONTACT

323-442-2498; mclagan@usc.edu

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Professor

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: September 17, 2024
• First Posted: February 7, 2025
• Study Start: January 15, 2024
• Primary Completion: December 1, 2025
• Study Completion: May 1, 2026
• Last Updated: March 30, 2026

Record last verified: 2025-08

Locations

US (1)