Heavy-load Resistance Training With and Without Blood Flow Restriction Therapy in Athletes

NCT07128862 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: REC/RCR & AHS/24/0461
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 44
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

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.

Conditions

Sports Physical Therapy

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (4)

• 1RM strength

  The 1 Repetition Maximum (1 RM) Testing protocol determines quadriceps maximal strength through identifying the maximum weight an individual can lift in a single attempt with exercises that include the leg press or squat and leg extension movements.

  6 weeks

• Squat Endurance

  Experts have established the validity of 3-5 RM squats as a strength test because they correlate strongly with quadriceps force output and exhibit excellent reliability (ICC \> 0.90) through standardization of stance and depth and rest periods. Maximal bodyweight squats at 60-70% 1 RM or to complete failure serve as reliable (ICC \~0.70-0.85) and moderate tests of endurance even though hip and core involvement affects validity.

  6 weeks

• Push Up Performance

  The push-up test is largely used to evaluate upper body endurance and strength (chest, shoulders, triceps) without much activation of the quadriceps and should not be considered as an indicator of quad endurance or strength. On standard push ups though, quads serve only as stabilizers which means it does not provide much of contribution than exercise such as squatting or doing leg extensions. Push-ups can still be considered a reliable test (ICC \~0.80-0.90) for upper body muscular endurance but cannot be used to assess quadriceps function

  6 weeks

• International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) scores

  International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Interpretation: Higher score indicates increased physical activity in athletes. Effect of interpretation: BFR with heavy load training significantly increases physical activity levels as compared to control. Description: The International Physical Activity Questionnaire - short form (IPAQ-SF) will be used to assess a participant's total physical activity levels. This self-report tool estimates MET-minutes per week across various domains. The score ranges from 0 to an upper limit, with higher scores indicating greater levels of physical activity.

  6 weeks

Study Arms (2)

Heavy-Load Resistance Training with Blood Flow Restriction

EXPERIMENTAL

In this group, the 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:

Other: Heavy-Load Resistance Training with Blood Flow Restriction

Heavy-Load Resistance Training Only (HLRT)

EXPERIMENTAL

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.

Other: Heavy-Load Resistance Training Only

Interventions

Heavy-Load Resistance Training with Blood Flow Restriction OTHER

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.

Heavy-Load Resistance Training with Blood Flow Restriction

Heavy-Load Resistance Training Only OTHER

Heavy Load Resistance Training (HL-RT) is one of the most effective exercise methodology that is widely used to increase muscular strength and hypertrophy.

Heavy-Load Resistance Training Only (HLRT)

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 35 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• 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

You may not qualify if:

• 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.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Riphah International University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Pakistan Sports Board

Lahore, Punjab Province, 54000, Pakistan

RECRUITING

Study Officials

• Muhammad Hassan, MSPT

  Riphah International University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Imran Amjad, Phd PT

CONTACT

03324390125; imran.amjad@riphah.edu.pk

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Masking Details: Assesor Blinded
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Model Details: Randomized Clinical Trial

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: July 21, 2025
• First Posted: August 19, 2025
• Study Start: July 30, 2024
• Primary Completion: August 30, 2025
• Study Completion: September 2, 2025
• Last Updated: August 19, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-08

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

PA (1)