Physiological and Biochemical Responses to Blood Flow Restriction Training

NCT07340385 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: 2025/9
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 30
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study is designed to examine the short-term and long-term effects of blood flow restriction exercise training on physiological and biochemical markers in individuals who are new to strength training and in experienced athletes training at different load levels. This exercise method involves placing a special inflatable cuff around the upper part of the thigh. The cuff partially limits blood flow to the area, which helps the muscles work more effectively during exercise. The cuff will be applied only to the individual's dominant leg (the leg you use more often in daily activities), but all exercises will be performed using both legs. The exercise program will last for a total of six weeks and will be carried out twice per week. The pressure applied by the cuff will be individually adjusted based on each participant's physical characteristics to ensure safety and comfort. The study will include a total of 30 healthy participants aged between 18 and 40 years. Participants will be divided into two groups: individuals who have recently started strength training and experienced athletes with different levels of training experience.

Conditions

Healthy Individuals; Trained Athletes

Keywords

Strength Training; Oxidative Stress; Growth Factors; Biochemical Markers; Muscle Thickness

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Muscle Thickness

  Baseline and after 6 weeks of training

• Blood Biomarkers

  Oxidative Stress Markers Growth Factor Levels Muscle Damage Markers

  Blood samples will be collected at three time points: before and immediately after the third training session to assess acute responses, and at the end of the 6-week training period to assess long-term effects.

Study Arms (2)

Novice Training Group

This group consists of healthy individuals who are new to strength training. Participants in this group will perform low-intensity resistance exercises with blood flow restriction applied to the proximal thigh using an inflatable cuff.

Other: Blood Flow Restriction Training

Experienced Athletes Group

This group includes healthy experienced athletes from different sports disciplines and training load levels. Participants will perform the same low-intensity blood flow restriction exercise protocol applied to the proximal thigh using an inflatable cuff.

Other: Blood Flow Restriction Training

Interventions

Blood Flow Restriction Training OTHER

Adaptation to blood flow restriction exercise training and the individually tailored occlusion pressure will be determined during the initial sessions. Occlusion pressure will be assessed while the participant is in a supine position by inflating a pneumatic cuff placed on the thigh until the tibial artery pulse is no longer detectable, which will be confirmed using a handheld Doppler device. To ensure safe adaptation to the training protocol, the pressure applied during the first two training sessions will be set below the individually determined target pressure. The full target occlusion pressure will be implemented starting from the third training session. For example, if the target pressure is determined as 300 mmHg, exercises will be performed at 200 mmHg during the first session and 250 mmHg during the second session. Blood flow restriction training principles will be applied during exercise loading. Four different types of exercises will be set up in four sets.

Experienced Athletes Group; Novice Training Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 40 Years
• Sex: male
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

The study population consists of healthy adults aged 18-40 years, including individuals who are new to strength training and experienced athletes from different sports disciplines with varying training load levels.

You may qualify if:

• Voluntary participation of healthy adults
• Age between 18 and 40 years
• No history of orthopedic pathology or current symptoms affecting the lower extremities
• For individuals with prior training experience: engagement in strength training at least two days per week for the past year across different sports disciplines
• For individuals new to strength training: no regular participation in strength training within the past six months

You may not qualify if:

• History of hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, peripheral vascular diseases, deep vein thrombosis, neurological disorders, obesity, or a diagnosis of diabetes
• Current or previous diagnosis of cancer
• Individuals who do not consent to participate in the study

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Kocatepe University: collaborator
• Afyonkarahisar Health Sciences University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Afyonkarahisar Health Sciences University

Afyonkarahisar, Merkez, 03030, Turkey (Türkiye)

RECRUITING

Related Publications (3)

• Nielsen JL, Aagaard P, Prokhorova TA, Nygaard T, Bech RD, Suetta C, Frandsen U. Blood flow restricted training leads to myocellular macrophage infiltration and upregulation of heat shock proteins, but no apparent muscle damage. J Physiol. 2017 Jul 15;595(14):4857-4873. doi: 10.1113/JP273907. Epub 2017 Jun 23.

  PMID: 28481416 RESULT

• Centner C, Zdzieblik D, Dressler P, Fink B, Gollhofer A, Konig D. Acute effects of blood flow restriction on exercise-induced free radical production in young and healthy subjects. Free Radic Res. 2018 Apr;52(4):446-454. doi: 10.1080/10715762.2018.1440293. Epub 2018 Mar 15.

  PMID: 29448855 RESULT

• Franchi MV, Longo S, Mallinson J, Quinlan JI, Taylor T, Greenhaff PL, Narici MV. Muscle thickness correlates to muscle cross-sectional area in the assessment of strength training-induced hypertrophy. Scand J Med Sci Sports. 2018 Mar;28(3):846-853. doi: 10.1111/sms.12961. Epub 2017 Sep 21.

  PMID: 28805932 RESULT

MeSH Terms

Interventions

Blood Flow Restriction Therapy

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

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

Central Study Contacts

Dilara KARA

CONTACT

+90 530 237 1991; dilaradonder@gmail.com

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: OTHER
• Time Perspective: CROSS SECTIONAL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Research Assistant

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: January 6, 2026
• First Posted: January 14, 2026
• Study Start: January 20, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): January 20, 2027
• Study Completion (Estimated): March 20, 2027
• Last Updated: February 13, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-01

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)