Effects of Blood Flow Restriction Exercises on Lumbar Muscle Endurance and Balance in Healthy Young Adults

NCT07182812 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: 1919B012413960
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 70
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study aims to examine the effects of blood flow restriction (BFR) exercises on back muscle endurance and balance in healthy young adults. BFR is a training method that involves applying controlled pressure to the limbs with a cuff while performing simple exercises. It has been shown to improve muscle strength and endurance even at low exercise loads, reducing stress on the joints. In this study, participants aged 20 to 25 years will be randomly assigned to two groups. One group will perform sit-to-stand (STS) exercises combined with BFR, while the other group will perform the same exercises without BFR. The exercise program will last 6 weeks, with 2 sessions per week. Before and after the program, participants will be assessed for: Lumbar extensor muscle endurance (using the Biering-Sørensen test) Balance performance (using a computerized balance platform) Physiological responses such as oxygen saturation, heart rate, and blood pressure The purpose of this research is to determine whether BFR exercises improve spinal muscle endurance and balance more effectively than standard sit-to-stand exercises. The results may provide new insights into the use of BFR training as a safe and practical strategy for improving posture, preventing back problems, and enhancing physical performance in young adults.

Conditions

Healthy Volunteers; Low Back Pain; Postural Balance; Muscle Fatigue; Endurance

Keywords

Blood Flow Restriction Exercise; Sit-to-Stand Exercise; Lumbar Extensor Muscles; Muscle Endurance; Postural Balance; Physiological Parameters (Oxygen Saturation, Heart Rate, Blood Pressure); Young Adults; Randomized Controlled Trial

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Lumbar Extensor Muscle Endurance

  Endurance of the lumbar extensor muscles will be assessed using the Biering-Sørensen Test. Participants maintain the upper body in a horizontal position while lying prone with the pelvis stabilized. The test duration (in seconds) until trunk decline \>5-10° will be recorded.

  Baseline and after 6 weeks of intervention

• Postural Balance Performance

  Balance performance will be evaluated using a computerized balance platform (TechnoBody™ Pro-Kin). Both static and dynamic balance parameters will be recorded. Outcome measures include sway area (cm²), sway velocity (cm/s), and postural stability index.

  Baseline and after 6 weeks of intervention

Secondary Outcomes (3)

• Change in Oxygen Saturation

  Baseline and immediately after exercise sessions (pre- and post-intervention at 6 weeks)

• Change in Blood Pressure

  Baseline and immediately after exercise sessions (pre- and post-intervention at 6 weeks)

• Change in Body Mass Index (BMI)

  Baseline and after 6 weeks of intervention

Study Arms (2)

Blood Flow Restriction Exercise Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants in this arm will perform sit-to-stand exercises combined with blood flow restriction (BFR) using a pneumatic cuff applied to the thigh. The cuff pressure will be set to 60-80% of the participant's systolic blood pressure. The program will be conducted for 6 weeks, with 2 sessions per week, supervised by a physiotherapist.

Behavioral: Blood Flow Restriction Sit-to-Stand Exercise

Control Exercise Group

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants in this arm will perform the same sit-to-stand exercise protocol as the experimental group, but without blood flow restriction. Sessions will also be supervised twice weekly for 6 weeks, and assessments will be performed before and after the intervention.

Behavioral: Sit-to-Stand Exercise without Blood Flow Restriction

Interventions

Blood Flow Restriction Sit-to-Stand Exercise BEHAVIORAL

Participants perform sit-to-stand (STS) exercises with blood flow restriction applied using a pneumatic cuff placed on the thigh. Cuff pressure is set at 60-80% of the participant's systolic blood pressure. Sessions are supervised by a physiotherapist twice per week for six weeks.

Blood Flow Restriction Exercise Group

Sit-to-Stand Exercise without Blood Flow Restriction BEHAVIORAL

Participants perform the same sit-to-stand (STS) exercise protocol as the experimental group, but without blood flow restriction. Sessions are supervised twice weekly for six weeks, and outcomes are assessed before and after the program.

Control Exercise Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 20 Years - 25 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Age between 20 and 25 years
• Healthy, without musculoskeletal disorders
• No chronic neurological or systemic disease
• No regular exercise program in the last 3 months
• Voluntary participation with signed informed consent

You may not qualify if:

• History of musculoskeletal disease, injury, or chronic low back pain
• Neurological conditions or regular use of medications affecting balance or cardiovascular function
• Pregnancy
• Participation in regular lumbar or core exercise programs within the last 3 months
• Any symptoms during exercise (e.g., excessive fatigue, dizziness, abnormal blood pressure changes) that may pose health risks
• Withdrawal of consent or inability to comply with study protocol

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Mehmet Akif Guler: lead
• The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

Selçuk University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation

Konya, Konya, 42130, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

Related Publications (7)

• Gogna K. Quality assurance: Hodgkin's disease and beyond. Australas Radiol. 2000 Nov;44(4):367-8. doi: 10.1046/j.1440-1673.2000.00839.x. No abstract available.

  PMID: 11103532 BACKGROUND

• Meiners KM, Loudon JK. Dynamic and Static Assessment of Single-Leg Postural Control in Female Soccer Players. J Sport Rehabil. 2020 Feb 1;29(2):174-178. doi: 10.1123/jsr.2018-0072.

  PMID: 30526247 BACKGROUND

• Madarame H, Neya M, Ochi E, Nakazato K, Sato Y, Ishii N. Cross-transfer effects of resistance training with blood flow restriction. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2008 Feb;40(2):258-63. doi: 10.1249/mss.0b013e31815c6d7e.

  PMID: 18202577 BACKGROUND

• Lee KH, Chon SC. Enhanced Pain Relief and Muscle Growth in Individuals with Low Back Instability: The Impact of Blood Flow Restriction Exercise during Sit to Stand Movements. Med Sci Monit. 2024 Jan 25;30:e942508. doi: 10.12659/MSM.942508.

  PMID: 38268184 BACKGROUND

• Loenneke JP, Wilson JM, Marin PJ, Zourdos MC, Bemben MG. Low intensity blood flow restriction training: a meta-analysis. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2012 May;112(5):1849-59. doi: 10.1007/s00421-011-2167-x. Epub 2011 Sep 16.

  PMID: 21922259 BACKGROUND

• Demoulin C, Vanderthommen M, Duysens C, Crielaard JM. Spinal muscle evaluation using the Sorensen test: a critical appraisal of the literature. Joint Bone Spine. 2006 Jan;73(1):43-50. doi: 10.1016/j.jbspin.2004.08.002.

  PMID: 16461206 BACKGROUND

• Amano S, Ludin AF, Clift R, Nakazawa M, Law TD, Rush LJ, Manini TM, Thomas JS, Russ DW, Clark BC. Effectiveness of blood flow restricted exercise compared with standard exercise in patients with recurrent low back pain: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Trials. 2016 Feb 12;17:81. doi: 10.1186/s13063-016-1214-7.

  PMID: 26867541 BACKGROUND

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Low Back Pain

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

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

Study Officials

• Mehmet Akif Güler, PhD, PT

  Selçuk University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Mehmet Akif Güler, PhD, PT

CONTACT

+90 542 464 42 09; makif.guler@selcuk.edu.tr

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Masking Details: Outcome assessors will be blinded to group allocation. Participants and care providers cannot be blinded due to the nature of the intervention (blood flow restriction vs. no restriction). Randomization will be concealed until outcome data collection is completed.
• Purpose: BASIC SCIENCE
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: PhD, PT

Model Details: This randomized controlled trial uses a parallel assignment design. Healthy young adults will be randomly allocated into two groups: (1) an experimental group performing sit-to-stand exercises with blood flow restriction (BFR), and (2) a control group performing the same exercises without BFR. Both groups will follow the intervention for six weeks, with two sessions per week. Pre- and post-intervention assessments will be conducted to compare outcomes between groups.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: September 14, 2025
• First Posted: September 19, 2025
• Study Start: September 29, 2025
• Primary Completion: November 30, 2025
• Study Completion: November 30, 2025
• Last Updated: September 19, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-09

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will share
• Shared Documents: STUDY PROTOCOL, SAP, ICF
• Time Frame: De-identified individual participant data (IPD) and supporting documents will be available beginning 6 months after publication of the primary results and will be accessible for a period of 5 years thereafter.
• Access Criteria: IPD will be available to qualified researchers affiliated with academic or healthcare institutions upon reasonable request. Requests will be reviewed by the principal investigator and Selçuk University Ethics Committee. Approved researchers will gain access through a secure institutional repository with appropriate data use agreements to ensure participant confidentiality.

Locations

TU (1)