Low-Intensity BFR Cycling: Impact on VO₂Max and Muscle Adaptations

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

COMPLETED

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

24 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2023-12-01

Study Completion Date

2024-03-05

Brief Summary

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This study aims to investigate the effects of low-intensity cycling exercise combined with blood flow restriction (BFR) on maximal oxygen consumption (VO₂max), muscle strength, and muscle thickness in sedentary adult males. Participants will be randomly assigned to three groups: (1) a cycling exercise group performing 40 minutes of cycling at 40% VO₂max, (2) a cycling with blood flow restriction group performing 15 minutes of cycling at 40% VO₂max with limb occlusion pressure at 60-80%, and (3) a control group following a shorter cycling protocol. Muscle thickness, isokinetic knee strength, and VO₂max will be measured before and after the 9-week intervention. The study is designed to evaluate whether short-duration, low-intensity cycling with BFR can induce physiological adaptations comparable to traditional longer-duration cycling protocols.

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Detailed Description

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This study is designed to examine the effects of low-intensity cycling exercise combined with blood flow restriction (BFR) on aerobic capacity (VO₂max), isokinetic knee strength, and muscle thickness in sedentary male adults. Traditional methods for improving aerobic capacity and muscle strength often involve high-intensity or long-duration training protocols. However, such protocols may not be feasible for all individuals, particularly during rehabilitation, periods of detraining, or in populations with limited exercise tolerance.

Blood flow restriction training has gained attention as a promising strategy to elicit muscular and cardiovascular adaptations using lower intensities. The technique involves applying individualized limb occlusion pressure (LOP) via pneumatic cuffs during exercise to partially restrict arterial inflow and fully restrict venous outflow. This restriction is thought to create a hypoxic environment and increase metabolic stress, which may enhance the recruitment of fast-twitch muscle fibers and stimulate physiological adaptations.

In this randomized controlled trial, participants are allocated to one of three groups: a standard cycling exercise group (40 minutes at 40% VO₂max), a BFR cycling group (15 minutes at 40% VO₂max with 60-80% LOP), and a control group (15 minutes at 40% VO₂max without BFR). All exercise sessions are performed three times per week for nine weeks. The LOP is adjusted across the training period to progressively increase the stimulus in the BFR group.

Baseline and post-intervention assessments include measurements of body height and weight, ultrasound-based muscle thickness, isokinetic knee strength testing, and graded exercise testing for VO₂max. The goal is to determine whether low-intensity, short-duration cycling with BFR can serve as a practical and effective alternative to longer-duration exercise programs.

Conditions

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Aerobic Capacity Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) Training Effects Blood Flow Restriction Exercise Muscle Strengh Isokinetic VO2max

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

CROSSOVER

Initially, 30 male volunteers who were not actively engaged in sports were recruited for the study. After applying the exclusion criteria, which included a history of lower extremity injury (n = 4), respiratory disorders (n = 1) and refusal to participate (n = 1), a total of six individuals were excluded in the initial phase. Thus, the study commenced with 24 male participants. Each group consisted of eight participants who completed the protocol and final post-tests were conducted and analysed accordingly. All participants were healthy individuals who did not engage in regular physical activity. The study involved three exercise groups: The Control Group (CG); the Cycling with Blood Flow Restriction Group (CBFRG); Cycling Exercise Group (CEG)

Primary Study Purpose

BASIC_SCIENCE

Blinding Strategy

SINGLE

Participants

Study Groups

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Cycling Exercise - 40 min at 40% VO₂max

Participants in this group perform low-intensity cycling exercise at 40% of their VO₂max for 40 minutes per session, three times per week, over a 9-week period. All sessions are conducted on an electronically braked Astrand cycle ergometer. This group does not receive blood flow restriction.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Cycling Exercise (40 min at 40% VO₂max)

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

This intervention involves standard low-intensity cycling exercise at 40% of the participant's VO₂max, performed for 40 minutes per session on an electronically braked Astrand cycle ergometer. Sessions are conducted three times per week for a total duration of 9 weeks. This group does not receive any blood flow restriction or external loading. The aim is to observe the effects of traditional low-intensity, long-duration aerobic exercise on VO₂max, muscle strength, and muscle thickness.

Control - 15 min Cycling at 40% VO₂max

Participants in the control group perform cycling exercise at 40% of their VO₂max for 15 minutes per session, three times per week for 9 weeks. The exercise is performed on an electronically braked Astrand cycle ergometer. No blood flow restriction or additional intervention is applied in this group.

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Short-Duration Cycling Control (15 min at 40% VO₂max)

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

This intervention involves low-intensity cycling exercise at 40% of VO₂max performed for 15 minutes per session, using an electronically braked Astrand cycle ergometer. Participants exercise three times per week for 9 weeks. No blood flow restriction is applied. The aim of this control condition is to match the duration of the BFR intervention while omitting the occlusion component, to isolate the effect of BFR.

Cycling + BFR - 15 min at 40% VO₂max with 60-80% LOP

Participants in this group perform cycling exercise at 40% of their VO₂max for 15 minutes per session, three times per week for 9 weeks. During each session, pneumatic cuffs are applied to the proximal thighs to restrict blood flow, with individualized limb occlusion pressure (LOP) set at 60% in weeks 1-4, 70% in weeks 5-7, and 80% in weeks 8-9. The exercise is performed on an electronically braked Astrand cycle ergometer.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Cycling with Blood Flow Restriction (15 min at 40% VO₂max with 60-80% LOP)

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

This intervention involves low-intensity cycling exercise at 40% of VO₂max performed on an electronically braked Astrand cycle ergometer for 15 minutes per session. During each session, pneumatic cuffs (10 cm wide, manually adjustable) are applied to the upper thighs to restrict blood flow. Individualized limb occlusion pressure (LOP) is determined via Doppler ultrasound and set progressively at 60% (weeks 1-4), 70% (weeks 5-7), and 80% (weeks 8-9). Sessions are conducted three times per week over a 9-week period. The aim is to simulate the physiological effects of high-intensity training using a low-intensity protocol.

Interventions

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Cycling with Blood Flow Restriction (15 min at 40% VO₂max with 60-80% LOP)

This intervention involves low-intensity cycling exercise at 40% of VO₂max performed on an electronically braked Astrand cycle ergometer for 15 minutes per session. During each session, pneumatic cuffs (10 cm wide, manually adjustable) are applied to the upper thighs to restrict blood flow. Individualized limb occlusion pressure (LOP) is determined via Doppler ultrasound and set progressively at 60% (weeks 1-4), 70% (weeks 5-7), and 80% (weeks 8-9). Sessions are conducted three times per week over a 9-week period. The aim is to simulate the physiological effects of high-intensity training using a low-intensity protocol.

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Cycling Exercise (40 min at 40% VO₂max)

This intervention involves standard low-intensity cycling exercise at 40% of the participant's VO₂max, performed for 40 minutes per session on an electronically braked Astrand cycle ergometer. Sessions are conducted three times per week for a total duration of 9 weeks. This group does not receive any blood flow restriction or external loading. The aim is to observe the effects of traditional low-intensity, long-duration aerobic exercise on VO₂max, muscle strength, and muscle thickness.

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Short-Duration Cycling Control (15 min at 40% VO₂max)

This intervention involves low-intensity cycling exercise at 40% of VO₂max performed for 15 minutes per session, using an electronically braked Astrand cycle ergometer. Participants exercise three times per week for 9 weeks. No blood flow restriction is applied. The aim of this control condition is to match the duration of the BFR intervention while omitting the occlusion component, to isolate the effect of BFR.

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Other Intervention Names

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BFR Cycling Low-Intensity Cycling + BFR CBFR CEG Standard Low-Intensity Cycling Long-duration Cycling Control Group Cycling CG Short Cycling No BFR

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Individuals aged between 18-24 years,
* Individuals without any health problems,
* Individuals who do not actively participate in sports,
* Individuals who marked all items as no on the H+cuff participant information form,
* Individuals who have not had a sports injury that would prevent them from participating in sports in the last 6 months,