Elastic Band Exercises With Blood Flow Restriction Technique in Tennis Players

NCT07676071 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: akdeniztennis
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 30
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Considering that therabant (elastic band) training combined with blood flow restriction exercises can be an effective training program for achieving muscle hypertrophy in practical applications, the aim of this study was to examine the effect of elastic band exercises integrated with blood flow restriction applied to the upper extremities on grip strength, upper extremity muscle strength, and selected performance parameters in elite tennis players. Tennis is a sport that requires high levels of upper extremity strength, grip strength, coordination, speed, and agility. Therefore, improving performance and ensuring safe strength gains for athletes is important. In recent years, blood flow restriction has attracted attention because it provides muscle strength and hypertrophy gains similar to high-intensity resistance exercises, even with low loads. Elastic band exercises are widely used because they are economical, portable, and applicable to different age groups. This prospective randomized controlled trial will include 30 elite tennis players aged 13-18 who have been licensed to play tennis at Antalya Tennis Specialization and Sports Club for at least 3 months and regularly attend training sessions. Participants will be randomly assigned to study and control groups. The study group will perform upper extremity exercises with elastic bands twice a week for 8 weeks under occlusion, using 7 cm wide pneumatic cuffs applied to the proximal arm at 30% of arterial occlusion pressure. The control group will perform the same elastic band exercises twice a week for 8 weeks without occlusion. Grip strength, upper extremity muscle strength, speed, agility, and sport-specific performance parameters will be evaluated before and after the intervention. The aim of the study is to determine whether elastic band exercises supported by blood flow restriction contribute to strength and performance development in tennis players. This research is expected to provide a scientific contribution to the planning of upper extremity strength training in tennis players and the use of blood flow restriction methods in the field of athletic performance. The findings are expected to contribute to scientific and clinical applications in the fields of sports physiotherapy, performance enhancement, and athlete rehabilitation.

Conditions

Elastic Band Exercises, Blood Flow Restrictive Exercises, Tennis

Keywords

Elastic band exercises, blood flow restrictive exercises, grip strength, performance, tennis, upper extremity muscle strength.

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (6)

• Change of Grip Strength

  A Jamar (NY 10533) brand dynamometer, a hydraulic measuring instrument, will be used to measure grip strength. Athletes will be asked to firmly grasp and release the dynamometer once while seated with their arm in adduction, elbow at 90° flexion, forearm in mid-rotation, and hand in a neutral position. Measurements will be repeated three times for each extremity separately (5 seconds contraction, 30 seconds rest), and the average of these three values will be recorded in kilograms.

  hange from Baseline Grip Strength at 8 weeks

• Change of Upper Extremity Muscle Strength

  A Bench Press 1RM test will be administered to evaluate the maximal upper extremity strength of participants. Before the test, participants will be informed about the exercise technique and will perform appropriate warm-up. Participants will lie supine on the bench, with their feet fixed on the ground, and will grip the bar slightly wider than shoulder width. After lowering the bar to chest level in a controlled manner, they will be asked to push it back up for one repetition. The highest weight the participant can lift with correct technique will be recorded in kilograms as the 1RM value. Sufficient rest time will be given between trials, and an observer/assistant researcher will be present during the test for safety purposes.

  Change from Baseline Upper Extremity Muscle Strength at 8 weeks

• Change of Upper Body Strength

  The 30-second arm curl test will be used to assess upper extremity muscle strength. Participants will use a 3 kg dumbbell during the test. Participants will be instructed to sit in a straight-backed chair with their feet flat on the floor. The weight will be placed in the dominant hand with a neutral wrist position and an extended elbow. After a brief demonstration and practice, the participant will perform as many arm curls as possible within 30 seconds. The total number of completed movements will be considered for analysis.

  Change from Baseline Upper Body Strength at 8 weeks

• Change of The International Tennis Number

  The International Tennis Number-ITN Test will be used to determine the participants' skill levels. The ITN Field Assessment is a tennis skill assessment method developed by the International Tennis Federation.

  Change from Baseline The International Tennis Number at 8 weeks

• Change of Level of Exertion

  Borg Rated Exertion Scale In addition, the Borg Rated Exertion Scale (RPE) was used to determine the level of exertion perceived by athletes during exercise. The Borg Scale is a measurement tool that subjectively evaluates the intensity of exercise and is rated between 6 and 20, and it has been reported to show significant relationships between perceived exertion and physiological load indicators (heart rate, respiratory rate, and muscle fatigue).

  Change from Baseline Perceived Exertion Level at 8 weeks

• Change of Satisfaction and Change Level

  The Global Change Scale will be used to assess the overall level of change perceived by participants after the exercise program. This scale allows individuals to compare their current state with their pre-intervention state and indicate whether they have seen improvement, deterioration, or no change. The scale will be scored between -7 and +7, where -7 means "significant deterioration," 0 means "no change," and +7 means "significant improvement." Participants will be asked to rate the changes they feel in their overall performance, grip strength, and physical condition at the end of the 8-week exercise program using this scale.

  Change from Baseline Satisfaction and Change Level at 8 weeks

Secondary Outcomes (3)

• Height in Meters

  Initial assessment before the exercise program.

• Weight in Kilograms

  Initial assessment before the exercise program.

• Body Mass Index (BMI) in kg/m^2

  Initial assessment before exercise program.

Study Arms (2)

Control Group

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

The control group will perform elastic band exercises (on day one: Biceps Curls, External Rotation, Resistance Band Row, Pronation - Supination, Lateral Shoulder Stretch, Lawn Mower Row; on day two: Push Ups, Internal Rotation, Lat Pull Down, Side Lateral Raises, Triceps Overhead Extensions, Band High Pull) without occlusion, twice a week for 8 weeks.

Other: Elastic band exercises without occlusion

Study group

EXPERIMENTAL

The study group will perform upper extremity exercises (day one: Biceps Curls, External Rotation, Resistance Band Row, Pronation - Supination, Lateral Shoulder Stretch, Lawn Mower Row; day two: Push Ups, Internal Rotation, Lat Pull Down, Side Lateral Raises, Triceps Overhead Extensions, Band High Pull) and elastic band exercises twice a week for 8 weeks under occlusion using 7 cm wide pneumatic cuffs applied to the proximal arm at 30% of arterial occlusion pressure.

Other: Blood flow restricts exercise

Interventions

Blood flow restricts exercise OTHER

Arterial blood flow pressure will be determined using a pulse oximeter, and exercise will be performed at 30% pressure. Arterial Occlusion Pressure Determination: Limb occlusion pressure will be determined using a pulse oximeter to identify the minimum pressure at which the brachial artery pulse is occluded. Arterial Occlusion Pressure Determination will be determined using the pulse oximeter method. Cuff pressure will be gradually increased, and pulse, SpO₂, and waveform will be monitored on the pulse oximeter. The pressure at which the pulse and waveform completely disappear will be considered the pressure at which arterial flow is interrupted and will be recorded as Arterial Occlusion Pressure Determination. Pressure for Applying Blood Flow Restrictive Exercises: Pressure will be applied at 30% of the determined Arterial Occlusion Pressure for the upper extremity. Occlusion cuffs will be inflated during each exercise and deflated immediately after the set to allow reperfusion.

Study group

Elastic band exercises without occlusion OTHER

Elastic band exercises (day one: Biceps Curls, External Rotation, Resistance Band Row, Pronation - Supination, Lateral Shoulder Stretch, Lawn Mower Row; day two: Push Ups, Internal Rotation, Lat Pull Down, Side Lateral Raises, Triceps Overhead Extensions, Band High Pull) twice a week for 8 weeks without occlusion.

Control Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 13 Years - 18 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Being between 13-18 years old Having regularly attended training sessions for at least one year Having played tennis professionally for at least 3 months Being willing to participate in the training

You may not qualify if:

• Those who have sustained a sports injury within the last 6 months Those who have taken a break from sports Those using nutritional or medical supplements that may affect performance Those with recent upper extremity injuries or risks Those with diagnosed cardiovascular, respiratory, or neurological disorders that prevent moderate-intensity exercise Those with any diagnosed condition that may be a contraindication for blood flow restriction, such as venous thromboembolism, sickle cell anemia, hemophilia, or other clotting disorders

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Akdeniz University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Akdeniz University

Antalya, Konyaaltı, 07070, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

MeSH Terms

Interventions

Salicylic Acid

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Salicylates; Hydroxybenzoates; Benzoates; Acids, Carbocyclic; Carboxylic Acids; Organic Chemicals; Hydroxy Acids; Benzene Derivatives; Hydrocarbons, Aromatic; Hydrocarbons, Cyclic; Hydrocarbons; Phenols

Study Officials

• Neriman Temel Aksu

  Akdeniz University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Neriman Temel Aksu

CONTACT

+905052973906; nerimantemelaksu@akdeniz.edu.tr

Ebru Sarı

CONTACT

nerimantemelaksu@akdeniz.edu.tr

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: Assistant Professor

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: June 24, 2026
• First Posted: June 30, 2026
• Study Start: August 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): February 1, 2027
• Study Completion (Estimated): April 30, 2027
• Last Updated: June 30, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-06

Locations

TU (1)