Concentric vs Eccentric Exercise in Blood Flow Restriction Training

NCT07710859 | Enrolling By Invitation

• 1 other identifier: blood flow restriction
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 34
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This randomized controlled trial will investigate the effects of blood flow restriction (BFR) training combined with concentric or eccentric exercise on upper extremity reaction speed, muscle strength, and muscle oxygenation in healthy adults aged 18-35 years. A total of 34 participants will be randomly allocated to either a BFR combined with concentric exercise group (n=17) or a BFR combined with eccentric exercise group (n=17). Before the intervention, maximal muscle strength will be determined using a one-repetition maximum (1RM) test for the dominant elbow flexor muscles. Upper extremity reaction speed will be assessed using the Nelson Hand Reaction Test. Biceps brachii muscle strength will be measured with a digital dynamometer, and muscle oxygenation will be evaluated using a near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) device. All outcome measures will be obtained 72 hours before the intervention and repeated 72 hours after completion of the training program by the same investigator. The findings of this study will contribute to understanding whether concentric or eccentric exercise combined with BFR training provides greater improvements in upper extremity reaction speed, muscle strength, and muscle oxygenation in healthy individuals.

Conditions

Exercise

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (6)

• Upper Extremity Reaction Time

  Upper extremity reaction time will be assessed using the Nelson Hand Reaction Test. Participants will complete five trials, the highest and lowest values will be discarded, and the mean of the remaining three trials will be used for analysis. Reaction time will be calculated from the ruler drop distance using the standard equation.

  Baseline (72 hours before the intervention) and 72 hours after completion of the 4-week intervention.

• Biceps Brachii Muscle Strength

  Biceps brachii muscle strength will be measured using an ActivForce 2 digital dynamometer. Three maximal isometric contractions will be performed with 30-second rest intervals, and the highest value will be used for analysis.

  Baseline (72 hours before the intervention) and 72 hours after completion of the 4-week intervention.

• Hand Grip Strength

  Hand grip strength will be measured using a hydraulic hand dynamometer. Participants will perform three maximal contractions with 30-second rest intervals, and the highest value will be recorded for analysis.

  Baseline (72 hours before the intervention) and 72 hours after completion of the 4-week intervention.

• Pinch Strength

  Pinch strength will be assessed using a pinch dynamometer. Three maximal trials will be performed with 30-second rest intervals, and the highest value will be used for analysis.

  Baseline (72 hours before the intervention) and 72 hours after completion of the 4-week intervention.

• One-Repetition Maximum

  Maximum muscle strength of the elbow flexors will be estimated using the Epley equation based on the maximum number of repetitions completed with a fixed load (2 kg for females and 5 kg for males).

  Baseline (72 hours before the intervention) and 72 hours after completion of the 4-week intervention.

• Muscle Oxygen Saturation

  Muscle oxygen saturation (SmO₂) of the biceps brachii will be measured using a MOXY near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) device. Baseline SmO₂ will be recorded before the 1RM test, continuous SmO₂ values will be monitored throughout the test, and recovery values will be recorded for 2-3 minutes after the test.

  Baseline (72 hours before the intervention) and 72 hours after completion of the 4-week intervention.

Study Arms (2)

CONCENTRIC GROUP

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Other: concentric group; Other: eccentric group

ECCENTRIC GROUP

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Other: concentric group; Other: eccentric group

Interventions

eccentric group OTHER

Participants assigned to this group will perform blood flow restriction (BFR) training combined with eccentric elbow flexion exercises using the dominant upper extremity. Training will be performed three times per week for four weeks (12 sessions). Exercises will be performed at 20-30% of one-repetition maximum (1RM) using a pneumatic cuff applied to the proximal upper arm. The cuff pressure will be set at 50% of the individual's arterial occlusion pressure. Each session will consist of four sets (30-15-15-15 repetitions) with 30-second rest intervals between sets.

CONCENTRIC GROUP; ECCENTRIC GROUP

concentric group OTHER

Participants assigned to this group will perform blood flow restriction (BFR) training combined with concentric elbow flexion exercises using the dominant upper extremity. Training will be performed three times per week for four weeks (12 sessions). Exercises will be performed at 20-30% of one-repetition maximum (1RM) using a pneumatic cuff applied to the proximal upper arm. The cuff pressure will be set at 50% of the individual's arterial occlusion pressure. Each session will consist of four sets (30-15-15-15 repetitions) with 30-second rest intervals between sets.

CONCENTRIC GROUP; ECCENTRIC GROUP

Eligibility Criteria

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

You may qualify if:

• Being between 18 and 35 years of age
• Physically inactive or minimally active individuals (International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form. IPAQ-CF, \<3000 MET-min/week)

You may not qualify if:

• Having a history of musculoskeletal surgery within the last 6 months
• Individuals with a history of orthopedic surgery within the last 6 months
• Having high systolic blood pressure (≥140 mmHg)
• Having a current history of cardiovascular disease
• Participants who did not volunteer to participate in the study and did not provide informed consent were excluded from the study.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Karabuk University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Karabuk university

Karabük, Karabük Province, 78050, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

Related Publications (1)

• Yasuda T, Loenneke JP, Thiebaud RS, Abe T. Effects of detraining after blood flow-restricted low-intensity concentric or eccentric training on muscle size and strength. J Physiol Sci. 2015 Jan;65(1):139-44. doi: 10.1007/s12576-014-0345-4. Epub 2014 Nov 8.

  PMID: 25381173 RESULT

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Motor Activity

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Behavior

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: Director

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: July 14, 2026
• First Posted: July 17, 2026
• Study Start: August 1, 2026
• Primary Completion: October 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): November 1, 2026
• Last Updated: July 17, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-07

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)