Blood Flow Restriction Training as a Targeted Intervention for Rowers With Back Pain.

NCT07130812 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: 5250411
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 120
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The purpose of this graduate student research study is to compare the effects of low-load blood flow restriction training (LL-BFR) and heavy-load training (HLT) in high-volume rowers with mild low back pain or recurrent low back pain (LBP), aiming to determine whether LL-BFR offers a safer yet equally effective alternative to HLT for enhancing performance and reducing risk of re-injury.

Conditions

Low Back Pain

Keywords

blood flow restriction

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Hamstring and quadricep muscular fatigue assessment via Noraxon Electromyography

  change between baseline and 10 weeks

Study Arms (2)

Blood Flow Restriction Group

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Using blood flow restriction, participants partake in aerobic (rowing) and anaerobic (squats/deadlifts) exercises.

Other: blood flow restriction

Non Blood Flow Restriction Group

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants partake in aerobic and anaerobic exercises without blood flow restrictions. The participants will use heavier loads in the anaerobic exercises.

Other: Heavy load resistance training

Interventions

blood flow restriction OTHER

The SAGA blood flow restriction tourniquet system will be used for each training sessions for the rowers within the light load restriction group. The 4 inch-wide tourniquet will be applied to both upper thighs during the strength and endurance exercises. Tourniquet setting will be determined as the pressure needed to achieve 40-80% arterial occlusion to the extremity (as measured by the SAGA BFR unit). The SAGA units provides a consistent amount of pressure to the extremity throughout the ROM of the exercise. The settings will be determined at baseline and then recalibrated weekly.

Blood Flow Restriction Group

Heavy load resistance training OTHER

For the resistance prescription, rowers will do strengthening exercises at 70-80% 1 RM. Exercises will be performed in series following 6 sets by 5 reps, with 120 seconds of rest between sets for each exercise.

Non Blood Flow Restriction Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 13 Years - 20 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Aged 13-20 years old
• Currently active rower (training ≥3 days/week or 12 hours/week)
• Mild LBP with a low reactivity (\<3/10) or recurring LBP within the past 18 months that has affected attendance to team practices/races.
• Able to complete a 2,000-meter rowing erg test

You may not qualify if:

• Have severe or acute back pain that limits basic movement or requires medical treatment
• History of spinal surgery or structural spine conditions (scoliosis requiring bracing/surgery)
• Have a contraindication to BFR training, identified via BFR safety screening form:
• Peripheral vascular disease (PVD)
• History of vascular surgery in arms or legs
• Skin grafts on arms or legs
• Arteriovenous fistula in limbs
• Cognitive or physical impairment that limits participation
• Hypertension or high blood pressure (uncontrolled or undiagnosed)
• Bleeding disorders (e.g., hemophilia)
• Blood clotting disorders (e.g., lupus, factor-V Leiden)
• Past history of DVT or pulmonary embolism (PE)
• Surgery in the past 12 weeks
• Recent limb immobilization (e.g., cast, boot) in the last 4 weeks
• History of stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA)

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Loma Linda University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Loma Linda University

Loma Linda, California, 92350, United States

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Low Back Pain

Interventions

Blood Flow Restriction Therapy

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Back Pain; Pain; Neurologic Manifestations; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

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

Study Officials

• Everett Lohman, Dsc

  Loma Linda University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Everett Lohman, DSc

CONTACT

(909) 558-1000; elohman@llu.edu

Study Design

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

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: August 13, 2025
• First Posted: August 19, 2025
• Study Start: September 29, 2025
• Primary Completion: April 1, 2026
• Study Completion: April 1, 2026
• Last Updated: October 6, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-08

Locations

US (1)