Effects of Low-Intensity Blood Flow Restriction Training on Strength and Kicking Performance in Taekwondo Athletes

NCT07538037 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: 102772021RT013
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 18
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study aims to investigate the effects of low-intensity blood flow restriction training (LI-BFRT) on lower-limb strength and kicking performance in taekwondo athletes. Blood flow restriction training is a method that partially restricts blood flow to the muscles during exercise, which may improve performance while reducing training load.

Conditions

Physical Performance; Athletic Performance

Keywords

Blood Flow Restriction Training; Low-Intensity Resistance Training; Taekwondo Athletes; Athletic Performance; Explosive Strength; Anaerobic Power

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Sport-specific kicking performance

  Sport-specific kicking performance is assessed using a standardized kicking test, including kicking frequency and kicking decrement index during repeated kicking tasks.

  Baseline and after 6 weeks

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• Lower-limb strength

  Baseline and after 6 weeks

• Anaerobic performance

  Baseline and after 6 weeks

Study Arms (2)

LI-BFRT

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants perform low-intensity resistance training combined with blood flow restriction. External pressure is applied to the proximal limbs during exercise to partially restrict blood flow. The training program is conducted three times per week for 6 weeks.

Other: LI-BFRT

HIRT

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants perform conventional high-intensity resistance training without blood flow restriction. The training program is conducted three times per week for 6 weeks.

Other: HIRT

Interventions

LI-BFRT OTHER

Low-intensity resistance training combined with blood flow restriction applied to the proximal limbs.

LI-BFRT

HIRT OTHER

Conventional high-intensity resistance training without blood flow restriction.

HIRT

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 16 Years - 25 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• \- Taekwondo athletes aged 16-25 years National-level athletes (National Level 1 or higher); Minimum of 3 years of systematic taekwondo training experience; Free from lower-limb injury within the past 6 months; Able to complete the training intervention and testing procedures.

You may not qualify if:

• \- History of cardiovascular, metabolic, or neurological disorders; Current musculoskeletal injury or pain affecting training; Participation in other structured resistance training programs during the study period; Use of medications or supplements that may affect physical performance Inability or unwillingness to provide informed consent.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Shanghai University of Sport: lead

Study Sites (1)

Shanghai University of Sport

Shanghai, Shanghai Municipality, 200438, China

RECRUITING

Related Publications (4)

• Awana G, Rizvi MR, Sharma A, Aldalaykeh M, Zaidi Z, Makhija S, Sami W, Al-Kuwari NFA. Blood flow restriction training enhances punching force and upper body strength in elite boxers: a randomized trial. Front Physiol. 2025 Oct 17;16:1693271. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2025.1693271. eCollection 2025.

  PMID: 41178991 RESULT

• Erickson LN, Owen MK, Casadonte KR, Janatova T, Lucas K, Spencer K, Brightwell BD, Graham MC, White MS, Thomas NT, Latham CM, Jacobs CA, Conley CE, Thompson KL, Johnson DL, Hardy PA, Fry CS, Noehren B. The Efficacy of Blood Flow Restriction Training to Improve Quadriceps Muscle Function after Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2025 Feb 1;57(2):227-237. doi: 10.1249/MSS.0000000000003573. Epub 2024 Oct 1.

  PMID: 39350350 RESULT

• Schoenfeld BJ. Potential mechanisms for a role of metabolic stress in hypertrophic adaptations to resistance training. Sports Med. 2013 Mar;43(3):179-94. doi: 10.1007/s40279-013-0017-1.

  PMID: 23338987 RESULT

• Bridge CA, Ferreira da Silva Santos J, Chaabene H, Pieter W, Franchini E. Physical and physiological profiles of taekwondo athletes. Sports Med. 2014 Jun;44(6):713-33. doi: 10.1007/s40279-014-0159-9.

  PMID: 24549477 RESULT

Central Study Contacts

Yunzhou Hu, MSc

CONTACT

+86 13532279646; 2421852028@sus.edu.cn

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: BASIC SCIENCE
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Master's Student

Model Details: Participants are randomly assigned to two parallel groups: a low-intensity blood flow restriction training (LI-BFRT) group and a high-intensity resistance training (HIRT) group. Both groups complete a 6-week training intervention, and outcomes are assessed before and after the intervention.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: April 10, 2026
• First Posted: April 20, 2026
• Study Start: April 10, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): June 29, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): June 29, 2026
• Last Updated: April 20, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-04

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

CN (1)