The Effect of Blood Flow Restriction Training on Swimming Performance in Swimmers

NCT07786597 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: 941629
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 54
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of practical blood flow restriction (pBFR) applied during swimming training on sprint and endurance performance in master swimmers. Fifty-four male master swimmers (36-51 years) were randomly assigned to either a pBFR group (n = 27) or a control group (n = 27). Both groups followed the same swimming training programme twice weekly for eight weeks. In the pBFR group, elastic bands were applied to the proximal region of both thighs at a perceived tightness level of 7/10 during approximately 20 min of low-intensity swimming performed at the beginning of each training session. Performance was assessed using a 50-m freestyle kick test, a 100-m freestyle swimming test, and a 12-min Cooper swimming test.

Conditions

Swimming Performance

Keywords

Practical blood flow restriction (pBFR); swimming performance; master swimmers

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• Cooper 12-Minute Swimming Test

  Cooper 12-Minute Swimming Test Swimmers were asked to swim continuously in freestyle for 12 minutes, covering the maximum possible distance. The test began with a push-off from the pool wall, and turns were performed using the appropriate technique. Participants were informed to stop immediately if they would experience symptoms such as shortness of breath or inability to continue swimming. The total distance covered in 12 minutes was recorded in meters.

  Pre-intervention and post-intervention at 8 weeks

• Short-distance kicking performance test

  Swimmers completed the test distance using only leg kicks while holding a kickboard, without performing arm strokes. This sprint test was designed to assess the propulsive force generated by the lower limbs. The test started with a push-off from the pool wall, and turns were executed by pushing off the wall. Time was recorded in seconds.

  Baseline and 8 weeks

• 100 m Freestyle Swimming Test

  The test began with a dive start and included turns performed according to FINA rules. Swimming time was recorded using three independent stopwatches, and the mean value of the three measurements was used for statistical analysis.

  Baseline and 8 weeks

Study Arms (2)

Experimental Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Blood Flow Restriction Swimming Training

Device: Practical Blood Flow Restriction Bands

Control Group

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

No Intervention

Other: Traditional Swimming Training

Interventions

Practical Blood Flow Restriction Bands DEVICE

Practical blood flow restriction was applied during swimming training using elastic bands on the proximal thighs.

Experimental Group

Traditional Swimming Training OTHER

Participants in the control group performed standard swimming training without blood flow restriction.

Control Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 36 Years - 51 Years
• Sex: male
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• \* Voluntary participation with signed written informed consent

You may not qualify if:

• \* History of hypertension, diabetes, or cardiovascular disease
• History of deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism
• Neurological disorders or rheumatic diseases
• Obesity or any other chronic condition
• Sports-related injury within the previous 6 months

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Istanbul Gelisim University: lead
• Istanbul University - Cerrahpasa: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

Istanbul University - Cerrahpasa

Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

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: August 20, 2026
• First Posted: August 26, 2026
• Study Start: February 8, 2024
• Primary Completion: June 10, 2024
• Study Completion: March 5, 2025
• Last Updated: August 26, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-08

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)