Post-Activation Performance Enhancement in Single and Multi-Joint Exercises With BFR and EMS in Male Volleyball Players

NCT ID: NCT06874829

Last Updated: 2025-03-13

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 15 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2025-02-10
• Study Completion Date: 2025-10-29

Brief Summary

Investigators used a randomized controlled crossover design to compare the effect of blood flow restriction (BFR) and electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) protocols on post-activation performance enhancement (PAPE) in multi-joint versus single-joint exercises. Participants took part in six test sessions 72 hours apart. In the BFR group, 50% of the arterial occlusion pressure (AOP) was used. In the EMS group, a 75 Hz current was applied. In the Low Resistance exercise group, only exercise was performed without any condition. Bench press (multi-joint) and triceps push-down (single-joint) exercises were used in the conditions.

Detailed Description

Participants took part in six test sessions 72 hours apart. All tests were performed between 2 and 4 pm to reduce the influence of circadian rhythms or fatigue on performance. Anthropometric measurements, 1 RM test, and grip strength and serving speed tests were determined before the practice session on the first day as a control condition. On the other six experimental days, players were randomly assigned to protocols (BFR, EMS, and LOW-LOAD) using software (http://www.randomizer.org). In the BFR group, 50% of the arterial occlusion pressure (AOP) was used. In the EMS group, a 75 Hz current was applied. In the Low Resistance exercise group, only exercise was performed without any condition. Bench press (multi-joint) and triceps push-down (single-joint) exercises were used in the conditions. In all protocols, participants performed a standardized warm-up protocol consisting of a 5-minute run at 9 km/h on a treadmill and a general warm-up consisting of 3 minutes of whole-body light stretching exercises. Following the warm-up and pre-exercise protocols, grip strength and service speed tests were performed with rest periods.

Conditions

Volleyball Players; Post Activation Potentiation; Muscle Strength

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: CROSSOVER
• Primary Study Purpose: TREATMENT
• Blinding Strategy: TRIPLE

Study Groups

Blood flow restriction

In the BFR group, 50% of the arterial occlusion pressure (AOP) was used.Bench press (multi-joint) and triceps push-down (single-joint) exercises were used in the conditions.

Group Type: ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Blood Flow Restriction

Intervention Type: OTHER

The arterial occlusion pressures (AOP) of the athletes randomized to the experimental group will be obtained automatically with the digital LED display CAC device BFR Unit (Fit Cuffs BFR Unit, Denmark). The AOP pressure device BFR Unit (Fit Cuffs BFR Unit, Denmark) will be used to apply 50% occlusion pressure during exercise. Bench press and triceps push down exercises will be performed with 30% 1TM, 30-15-15-15 repetitions and thirty seconds rest between sets.

Electrical muscle stimulation

In the EMS group, a 75 Hz current was applied. Bench press (multi-joint) and triceps push-down (single-joint) exercises were used in the conditions.

Group Type: ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Electrical Muscle Stimulation

Intervention Type: OTHER

EMS will be applied bilaterally to the wrist flexor and elbow extensor muscles using a portable EMS stimulator (Compex Rehab 400, Medicompex SA, Ecublens, Switzerland). Four 2 mm thick, self-adhesive electrodes (5x5 cm) will be placed on the superficial aspect of each muscle group. The athletes will simultaneously receive EMS intervention with a pulse frequency of 75 Hz and a duration of 400 μs (19 seconds rest between pulses) during bench press and triceps pushdown exercises. Bench press and triceps push down exercises will be performed with 30% 1TM, 30-15-15-15 repetitions and thirty seconds rest between sets.

Low Load Resistance Exercise

In the Low Resistance Exercise group, only exercise was performed without any condition (BFR or EMS. Bench press (multi-joint) and triceps push-down (single-joint) exercises were used in the conditions.

Group Type: ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Low-Load Resistance Exercise

Intervention Type: OTHER

Bench press and triceps pushdown exercises will be performed with 30% 1RM, 30-15-15-15 repetitions and 30 seconds rest between sets.

Interventions

Electrical Muscle Stimulation

EMS will be applied bilaterally to the wrist flexor and elbow extensor muscles using a portable EMS stimulator (Compex Rehab 400, Medicompex SA, Ecublens, Switzerland). Four 2 mm thick, self-adhesive electrodes (5x5 cm) will be placed on the superficial aspect of each muscle group. The athletes will simultaneously receive EMS intervention with a pulse frequency of 75 Hz and a duration of 400 μs (19 seconds rest between pulses) during bench press and triceps pushdown exercises. Bench press and triceps push down exercises will be performed with 30% 1TM, 30-15-15-15 repetitions and thirty seconds rest between sets.

Intervention Type: OTHER

Blood Flow Restriction

The arterial occlusion pressures (AOP) of the athletes randomized to the experimental group will be obtained automatically with the digital LED display CAC device BFR Unit (Fit Cuffs BFR Unit, Denmark). The AOP pressure device BFR Unit (Fit Cuffs BFR Unit, Denmark) will be used to apply 50% occlusion pressure during exercise. Bench press and triceps push down exercises will be performed with 30% 1TM, 30-15-15-15 repetitions and thirty seconds rest between sets.

Intervention Type: OTHER

Low-Load Resistance Exercise

Bench press and triceps pushdown exercises will be performed with 30% 1RM, 30-15-15-15 repetitions and 30 seconds rest between sets.

Intervention Type: OTHER

Other Intervention Names

EMS; BFR; LL-RE

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• Being healthy
• Male volleyball athletes
• Willing to maintain the intervention for all sessions

Exclusion Criteria

• Being under 18 years old
• Having a chronic disease
• Contraindication for Electromyostimulation (EMS)
• Contraindication for Blood Flow Restriction (BFR)
• Contraindications for exercise

• Minimum Eligible Age: 18 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 30 Years
• Eligible Sex: MALE
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Sponsors

Karabuk University

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Neslihan AKÇAY

Assoc. Prof. Dr.

Responsibility Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

Neslihan AKCAY, Doctorate

Role: STUDY_CHAIR

Karabuk University

Locations

Karabuk University

Karabük, Turkey, Turkey (Türkiye)

Countries

Turkey (Türkiye)

References

Keskin K, Akcay N, Ozmen T, Contarli N, Yildiz KC, Sofuoglu C, Kamis O, Rolnick N, de Queiros VS, Montoye A. Effects of different pre-exercise strategies on jumping performance in female volleyball players. J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 2025 Jan;65(1):59-68. doi: 10.23736/S0022-4707.24.16196-8. Epub 2024 Oct 3.

Reference Type: BACKGROUND

PMID: 39360986 (View on PubMed)

Other Identifiers

UKarabuk-2

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id