Effect of Blood Flow Restriction on Recovery After Maximal Resistance Exercise

Condition(s) studied

Investigational drug(s) / intervention(s)

BFR-80%: Will perform the intervention with BFR using 80% of the total occlusion pressure (TOP) continuously for 20 minutes.

BFR-60%: Will perform the intervention with BFR using 60% of the total occlusion pressure (TOP) continuously for 20 minutes.

BFR-10mmHg: Will perform the intervention with BFR using 10 mmHg of occlusion pressure continuously for 20 minutes.

Study summary

Resistance training has been widely performed due to its health benefits. However, performing this training at high intensity causes significant muscle stress, leading to fatigue and compromising performance. It is essential to implement effective recovery strategies to optimize physiological adaptations. Among the accessible techniques, blood flow restriction (BFR) has shown promise for its potential to accelerate muscle recovery.

Eligibility

Primary outcome measure(s)

• Lower limb muscle power — Change from baseline at 72 hours after exercise
  Muscle power will be assessed through the Squat Jump test using a contact platform (Multisprint). Participants will begin in a 90° knee flexion position (verified with a goniometer), with hands on hips, and will perform a vertical jump without countermovement. Variables to be analyzed will include jump height, modified reactive strength index, jump power, and take-off moment.
• Lower limb muscle function — Change from baseline at 72 hours after exercise
  Muscle function will be assessed through the single leg hop functional test sing a measuring tape in centimeters. The participant will be positioned standing on a flat surface, barefoot, and with their hands on their waist. They will be asked to perform a horizontal jump with the greatest possible reach using only one lower limb (test performed unilaterally). The contralateral limb will remain flexed without touching the ground during the execution. After the jump, the participant must maintain balance for at least two seconds without losing stability or moving the landing foot. The jump distance will be measured in centimeters from the toe of the supporting foot (before the jump) to the heel at the moment of landing, using a measuring tape.
• Isometric strenght of quadriceps and hamstring muscle — Change from baseline at 72 hours after exercise
  The isometric peak torque of the quadriceps and hamstring will be measured using a digital handheld dynamometer (DD-300, Instrutherm). For the quadriceps strength assessment, the participant will be seated in a chair with their knee bent at 90° and instructed to push maximally against the dynamometer. To measure hamstring strength, the participant will be positioned in a prone position with their knee flexed at 90º and will be instructed to push maximally against the dynamometer. Three attempts will be performed with a 1-minute rest interval. The highest value will be used for analysis.
• Muscle soreness and pain threshold — Change from baseline at 72 hours after exercise
  Muscle soreness will be assessed using a Numeric Pain Rating Scale (0-10). Pain threshold will be measured with a pressure algometer (FPX 50/220; Wagner) at four sites: biceps femoris and rectus femoris. Measurements will be recorded in kgf and will not exceed 2.55 kgf.
• Perceived exertion, recovery, and discomfort — Change from baseline at 72 hours after exercise
  Perceived exertion, recovery, and discomfort will be measured using the Borg CR-10 scale (0-10). Participants will rate: (1) exertion as whole-body effort, (2) discomfort as muscular sensations in the lower limbs, and (3) recovery as general physical and psychological recovery. Values will be individually recorded at each time point.
• Myotonometry — Change from baseline at 72 hours after exercise
  Muscle tone, stiffness, and elasticity will be measured using the MyotonPRO device. The probe will be positioned perpendicularly over the following sites: biceps femoris and rectus femoris. The device will apply a 0.18 N pre-load and a 0.40 N impulse to induce tissue oscillation for measurement.
• Bioelectrical impedance analysis — Change from baseline at 72 hours after exercise
  Bioimpedance will be measured using a tetrapolar device (BIA Analyzer, 50 kHz, 800 µA). Electrodes will be positioned on the biceps femoris and rectus femoris. Analyzed variables will include resistance (R), reactance (Xc), phase angle (PhA), and tolerance ellipse, via Bioscan software.

Trial sites (1)

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