"How Blood Flow Restriction Exercise Affects Muscle Oxygenation and Lactate in Elite Athletes"

NCT ID: NCT06918314

Last Updated: 2025-04-09

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: COMPLETED
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 35 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2024-05-01
• Study Completion Date: 2025-03-19

Brief Summary

This study investigates the effects of blood flow restriction (BFR) training combined with low-intensity aerobic exercise on muscle oxygenation, total hemoglobin (THb), and blood lactate levels in elite athletes, comparing them with healthy sedentary individuals. BFR training, which partially restricts arterial and fully restricts venous blood flow using a pneumatic cuff, creates a hypoxic environment, leading to muscle strength and endurance improvements with lower-intensity exercise. The study aims to determine whether BFR-induced occlusion enhances muscle adaptation and how these physiological responses differ between elite athletes and sedentary individuals.

Detailed Description

This comparative cross-sectional study aims to examine the acute physiological responses to low-intensity aerobic exercise combined with blood flow restriction (BFR) training in elite male track and field athletes versus sedentary individuals. The primary focus is on changes in muscle oxygenation, total hemoglobin (THb), and blood lactate concentrations.

BFR is applied via a pneumatic cuff that partially restricts arterial and fully restricts venous return, thereby creating a localized hypoxic environment. This method has been shown to induce strength and endurance adaptations comparable to high-intensity training, even when performed at low intensities.

Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) via the Moxy Muscle Oxygen Monitor will be used to assess muscle oxygenation parameters in real-time. Blood lactate levels will be measured through capillary sampling before and after exercise. Additional physiological parameters including heart rate, blood pressure, and respiratory rate will also be monitored.

The study compares two groups with distinct physical activity backgrounds, intending to elucidate potential differences in physiological adaptation to BFR. All measurements will be carried out in a controlled lab environment using validated instruments. Statistical analyses will be performed using SPSS software, with appropriate parametric or non-parametric methods depending on data distribution.

The results may contribute to a deeper understanding of BFR training mechanisms and guide tailored conditioning strategies for both athletic and sedentary populations.

Conditions

Blood Flow Restriction Training; Muscle Oxygenation; Physiological Adaptations

Study Design

• Allocation Method: NON_RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: CROSSOVER
• Primary Study Purpose: HEALTH_SERVICES_RESEARCH
• Blinding Strategy: SINGLE

Study Groups

Healthy Elite Male Athletes

These participants are physically inactive or engage in minimal physical activity. They do not follow a structured exercise regimen and have no history of professional or competitive sports participation. They are in good general health, with no chronic diseases or musculoskeletal disorders that could affect the study outcomes.

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Blood Flow Restriction Kaatsu Training Device

Intervention Type: DEVICE

The Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) intervention uses a pneumatic cuff to partially restrict arterial and fully restrict venous blood flow, creating a hypoxic environment that enhances muscle activation and strength at low exercise intensities. In this study, BFR will be applied intermittently during low-intensity treadmill walking with controlled pressure adjustments.

The Moxy Muscle Oxygen Monitor is a non-invasive NIRS device that measures muscle oxygen saturation (SmO₂) and total hemoglobin (THb). Placed on the quadriceps femoris muscle, it will track oxygenation changes before, during, and after BFR exercise, helping assess muscle metabolism and performance adaptations.

Healthy Sedentary Male Individuals

These participants are actively involved in elite-level athletics, following a structured and high-intensity training program. They have extensive experience in competitive sports, particularly in track and field disciplines. They are in optimal physical condition, with well-developed cardiovascular and musculoskeletal systems, and no history of major injuries or health conditions that could impact their performance.

Group Type: ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Blood Flow Restriction Kaatsu Training Device

Intervention Type: DEVICE

The Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) intervention uses a pneumatic cuff to partially restrict arterial and fully restrict venous blood flow, creating a hypoxic environment that enhances muscle activation and strength at low exercise intensities. In this study, BFR will be applied intermittently during low-intensity treadmill walking with controlled pressure adjustments.

The Moxy Muscle Oxygen Monitor is a non-invasive NIRS device that measures muscle oxygen saturation (SmO₂) and total hemoglobin (THb). Placed on the quadriceps femoris muscle, it will track oxygenation changes before, during, and after BFR exercise, helping assess muscle metabolism and performance adaptations.

Interventions

Blood Flow Restriction Kaatsu Training Device

The Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) intervention uses a pneumatic cuff to partially restrict arterial and fully restrict venous blood flow, creating a hypoxic environment that enhances muscle activation and strength at low exercise intensities. In this study, BFR will be applied intermittently during low-intensity treadmill walking with controlled pressure adjustments.

The Moxy Muscle Oxygen Monitor is a non-invasive NIRS device that measures muscle oxygen saturation (SmO₂) and total hemoglobin (THb). Placed on the quadriceps femoris muscle, it will track oxygenation changes before, during, and after BFR exercise, helping assess muscle metabolism and performance adaptations.

Intervention Type: DEVICE

Other Intervention Names

Moxy Muscle Oxygenation

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

Willingness to participate in the study

Male individuals aged 15-18 years

Sedentary status for control group participants (<600 MET-min/week according to the International Physical Activity Questionnaire - Short Form)

Body mass index (BMI) <25 kg/m²

Licensed track and field athlete for the study group

At least 3 years of experience as a licensed sprint athlete

No history of sports injury in the last 6 months

Exclusion Criteria

Presence of open wounds or infection in the lower extremities

Leg pain, varicose veins, or thrombophlebitis

Diabetes or a history of cardiovascular disease

Smoking and/or alcohol consumption

Presence of respiratory distress

Bilateral lower extremity pain and edema

Incompatibility with the blood flow restriction (BFR) device

Presence of diseases causing endothelial dysfunction (e.g., hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, neurological disorders, systemic inflammation, obesity, diabetes, atherosclerosis)

History of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or peripheral vascular disease

Presence of acute infection

History of cancer

Surgical operation due to trauma within the last 6 months

• Minimum Eligible Age: 15 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 18 Years
• Eligible Sex: MALE
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Sponsors

Eastern Mediterranean University

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Burçin Uğur Tosun

Principal Investigator PhD Physiotherapist Burcin Ugur Tosun

Responsibility Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

gulhan yılmaz gokmen, Assoc. Prof.

Role: STUDY_DIRECTOR

"Bandırma Onyedi Eylül University, Faculty of Health Sciences"

Locations

Burcin Ugur Tosun

Famagusta, , Cyprus

Countries

Cyprus

Other Identifiers

2024-177

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id