Cluster Training With Blood Flow Restriction in Competitive 200-m Freestyle Swimmers

NCT07786129 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: SRG-BFR-SWIM-2026-01
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 20
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study evaluated whether adding blood flow restriction (BFR) to cluster-based training could improve swimming performance and selected physiological responses in competitive swimmers. Twenty competitive swimmers were assigned using a matched, non-randomized design to either an experimental group performing cluster training combined with BFR or a control group performing the same cluster training without BFR. The intervention lasted 8 weeks, with five training sessions per week. The primary outcome was 200-m freestyle performance time. Secondary outcomes included serum concentrations of fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) and vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A), standing long jump performance, mean 50-m split time during a 150-m swimming test, and repetitions completed during a cadence-controlled Burpee test. The study was designed to determine whether BFR provided additional performance and physiological benefits beyond cluster training alone.

Conditions

Athletic Performance; Exercise Training

Keywords

Blood Flow Restriction; Cluster Training; Competitive Swimming; 200-m Freestyle; FGF-2; VEGF-A

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Change in 200-m Freestyle Performance Time

  Performance was assessed during a maximal 200-m freestyle swim in a standard 50-m pool using an electronic timing system with a precision of 0.01 s. Lower values indicate faster performance. The primary outcome was the change in performance time from baseline to the end of the 8-week intervention.

  Baseline and post-intervention at 8 weeks

Study Arms (2)

Cluster Training With Blood Flow Restriction

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants in this arm completed an 8-week cluster-training program combined with blood flow restriction (BFR). Training was performed five sessions per week. Pneumatic cuffs were applied proximally to the upper arms and thighs during selected dry-land cluster exercises and intra-set recovery periods, and were deflated during the main inter-set recovery periods.

Behavioral: Cluster Training With Blood Flow Restriction

Cluster Training Alone

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants in this arm completed the same 8-week cluster-training program and overall training schedule as the experimental group, but without blood flow restriction. Training was performed five sessions per week.

Behavioral: Cluster Training Alone

Interventions

Cluster Training With Blood Flow Restriction BEHAVIORAL

An 8-week cluster-training program performed five sessions per week, with blood flow restriction applied during selected dry-land cluster exercises using pneumatic cuffs positioned proximally on the upper arms and thighs.

Cluster Training With Blood Flow Restriction

Cluster Training Alone BEHAVIORAL

An 8-week cluster-training program performed five sessions per week without blood flow restriction.

Cluster Training Alone

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 17 Years - 20 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Competitive 200-m freestyle swimmers aged 17-20 years. At least 2 years of structured swimming training experience. Free from musculoskeletal injury for at least 6 months before enrollment. No previous regular experience with blood flow restriction training. Willing and able to complete the 8-week training intervention and all study assessments.

You may not qualify if:

• History of cardiovascular, metabolic, thrombotic, or other vascular conditions that could contraindicate blood flow restriction exercise.
• Current use of medications known to affect vascular tone or blood coagulation. Musculoskeletal injury or medical condition preventing participation in maximal swimming or dry-land training.
• Attendance below 85% of the scheduled intervention sessions.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Saif Rasheed Ghanim: lead

Study Sites (1)

Samarra Olympic Swimming Pool

Samarra, Muhafazat Salah ad Din, 34010, Iraq

Location

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NON RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: OTHER
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Assistant Professor of Exercise Physiology

Model Details: Participants were assigned to two parallel groups using a non-randomized matched-allocation approach. The experimental group received cluster training combined with blood flow restriction, whereas the control group received cluster training alone.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: August 21, 2026
• First Posted: August 25, 2026
• Study Start: January 15, 2026
• Primary Completion: March 19, 2026
• Study Completion: June 15, 2026
• Last Updated: August 26, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-08

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

IR (1)