Acute BFR Training Effects on Balance and Proprioception

NCT07309068 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: 6
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 74
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Blood Flow Restriction Training (BFR) is a technique applied using a cuff or tourniquet to restrict venous return while maintaining arterial blood flow during exercise. In recent years, BFR has gained increasing attention as an effective method to enhance muscle activity with low-intensity training. This study aims to evaluate the acute effects of BFR training on a relatively underexplored area-balance and proprioception-and to analyze these effects by comparing them with sham and control groups. The study is planned to include healthy individuals aged 18-35 years. Participants will be divided into three groups: BFR, sham, and control. Before and after the exercise protocol, all participants' demographic information and physical activity levels will be recorded. In the next phase, participants will undergo assessments of static and dynamic balance, knee and ankle proprioception measurements, and single-leg hop tests. After completing a single-session exercise protocol, all assessment tests will be repeated for each participant. The collected data will be compared across groups. The expected outcome of the study is that the BFR group, in which arterial occlusion will be applied, will show significant improvements in parameters related to balance and proprioception compared to the other groups. The novelty of this study lies in examining both the effects of BFR on balance and proprioception and their acute-level manifestations. Currently, studies investigating the effects of BFR on balance and proprioception are limited. Our study aims not only to contribute to the diversity of literature on balance exercise applications but also, if the acute effects of BFR are confirmed, to provide a new perspective on the application of this exercise method in physiotherapy, rehabilitation, and sports sciences.

Conditions

Blood Flow Restriction

Keywords

blood flow restriction; proprioception; dynamic balance

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Balance Assessments - Performanze Balance System

  Within the scope of this study, a Performanz electronic monitoring device, designed to analyze lower extremity muscle groups that influence human balance, will be used. The device operates based on a method that analyzes muscle contraction patterns by tracking the center of balance. Using this system, static single-leg balance will be assessed for both lower extremities under eyes-open conditions. During the test, participants will stand on the platform for 30 seconds, first on the right foot and then on the left foot, with the knee slightly flexed and the arms crossed over the trunk. Measurements will be repeated three times, and the device will provide the average of the three trials. The device operates in an integrated manner with a computer-based software system that enables the objective assessment of balance. Through this software, researchers will be able to monitor the measurements in real time using an Android-based tablet or a laptop computer. Balance performan

  pre-invention and immediatelety after invention

• Dynamic Balance Assessments - Y Balance Test

  The Y Balance Test (YBT) will be administered in this study as a valid and reliable measurement method for the assessment of dynamic balance. Measurements will be conducted using a Y Balance Test platform. The YBT aims to assess the participant's ability to maintain balance on one leg while reaching as far as possible in three directions-anterior, posterolateral, and posteromedial-with the contralateral limb. Following test administration, the composite score will be calculated by normalizing the sum of the maximum reach distances in the three directions to the participant's lower extremity length. The YBT is widely used in the literature as a standardized test protocol with well-established validity and reliability for evaluating dynamic balance capacity (Shaffer, 2013).

  pre-invention and immediatelety after invention

Secondary Outcomes (4)

• Proprioception - Joint Position Sense

  pre-invention and immediatelety after invention

• Single Leg Hop Test

  pre-invention and immediatelety after invention

• Physical Activity Level

  pre-invention and immediatelety after invention

• Rating of Perceived Exertion

  pre-invention and immediatelety after invention

Study Arms (3)

Control group

OTHER

Other: Proprioceptive Exercise Training

Sham Group

SHAM COMPARATOR

Other: sham BFR; Other: Proprioceptive Exercise Training

BFR Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Other: BFR; Other: Proprioceptive Exercise Training

Interventions

BFR OTHER

In this group, participants will have cuffs placed proximally on the limb to induce blood flow restriction, and individualized pressure will be applied. Participants will perform the prescribed exercises under blood flow restriction conditions. For the blood flow restriction application, an Occlusion Cuff device will be used. Following the warm-up protocol, cuffs will be placed bilaterally on the most proximal portion of the thigh in both the BFR and sham groups. The cuff tightness will be adjusted to allow the insertion of two fingers between the cuff and the skin at both the upper and lower edges. In the sham group, the cuffs will not be inflated to restrict blood flow, while in the BFR group, the pressure will be set at 80% of the individual's arterial occlusion pressure (AOP). AOP will be determined in the supine position using an Occlusion Cuff Doppler ultrasound device (8 MHz) applied to the posterior tibial artery.

BFR Group

sham BFR OTHER

Participants in the sham BFR group will wear cuffs placed proximally on both thighs. However, no pressure will be applied to restrict blood flow. The cuffs will remain in place throughout the exercise session to simulate the sensation of blood flow restriction without inducing actual occlusion. Participants will perform the same exercise protocol as the BFR group under these conditions.

Sham Group

Proprioceptive Exercise Training OTHER

All participants will perform the same exercise protocol. The protocol was designed based on studies in the literature examining the effects of proprioception training. The program consists of various balance and proprioceptive exercises performed on a BOSU balance platform. The purpose of the exercises is to improve participants' static and dynamic balance, stimulate the sensorimotor system, and enhance lower extremity stability. The exercise protocol includes the following sequence: participants will perform squats on the BOSU (10 repetitions), double-leg stance on the BOSU (60 seconds), double-leg ball toss and catch on the BOSU (60 seconds), single-leg stance on the BOSU (60 seconds), and single-leg ball toss and catch on the BOSU (60 seconds). This is followed by double-leg jumps on the BOSU (10 repetitions), single-leg jumps on the BOSU (10 repetitions), and double-leg jumps with 90° trunk rotation on the BOSU (10 repetitions). In the final part, participants will perform double

BFR Group; Control group; Sham Group

Eligibility Criteria

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

You may qualify if:

• Be male or female between 18 and 35 years of age.
• Have a physical activity level defined as an energy expenditure of at least 600 MET-minutes per week, according to the International Physical Activity -Questionnaire - Short Form (IPAQ-SF).
• Have normal knee joint range of motion (flexion: 0-135°; hyperextension: 0-10°).
• Have normal ankle joint range of motion (dorsiflexion: 0-20°; plantarflexion: 0-45°).

You may not qualify if:

• History of low back or lower extremity injury within the past 6 months.
• History of neurological or vestibular disorders.
• History of lower extremity surgery.
• Risk factors for deep vein thrombosis.
• Presence of at least one contraindication preventing participation in exercises involving blood flow restriction (e.g., smoking, previous venous thromboembolism, peripheral vascular disease risk such as ankle-brachial index \<0.9, coronary heart disease, hypertension, hemophilia, etc.).

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Biruni University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Biruni University

Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

Related Publications (20)

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Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: OTHER
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Asistant professor

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: November 20, 2025
• First Posted: December 30, 2025
• Study Start: November 1, 2025
• Primary Completion: December 31, 2025
• Study Completion: February 1, 2026
• Last Updated: February 20, 2026

Record last verified: 2025-11

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will share
• Shared Documents: STUDY PROTOCOL, SAP, ICF, CSR
• Time Frame: 18.02.2026 - 18.02.2027

Locations

TU (1)