Ischemic preconditioning to boost leg power and recovery in college basketball players
Official title: Effect of Ischemic Preconditioning on Lower Extremity Motor Ability and Recovery in Basketball Players During Post-Match Recovery Period: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Run by Guangzhou Sport University · NCT07604948 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study tests whether brief, controlled blood-flow blockage to the legs before practice can help college basketball players recover faster and maintain leg explosiveness after games.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years to 25 Years |
| Sex | Men only |
| Enrollment | 34 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Guangzhou Sport University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Guangzhou, Guangdong) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | May 22, 2026 |
| Main results expected | July 15, 2026 |
| Study ends | July 15, 2026 |
| Registry record updated | May 26, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07604948 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are healthy, male college basketball players who participate in regular training at Guangzhou Sport University and have no recent injuries or conditions that would interfere with the IPC procedure.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients with skin lesions at the thigh site, coagulation disorders, or other contraindications to IPC may not benefit from this approach.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
In a randomized, placebo-controlled design, 34 male collegiate basketball players undergo bilateral thigh ischemic preconditioning (IPC) or a sham procedure twice weekly for 6 weeks during post-season recovery. The IPC protocol uses 3 cycles of 5 minutes of limb ischemia at 220 mmHg followed by 5 minutes of reperfusion. Before each training session, the IPC group receives the actual intervention, while the control group receives a placebo cuff inflation at 20 mmHg. Primary outcomes include lower limb explosive power and phosphagen energy system capacity, with secondary endpoints such as physiological and hematological markers measured before and after the intervention. The goal is to determine if IPC can enhance performance-related recovery during the post-season period.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, IPC could offer a simple, non-invasive way to improve leg power and accelerate recovery for basketball players.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research on IPC suggests potential performance and recovery benefits in athletes, but results are mixed and this study adds sport-specific, post-season context.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Male basketball students at Guangzhou Sport University. * Regular participants in basketball training/practice. * Healthy adults without cardiovascular, hepatic, renal, digestive, neurological, or metabolic diseases. * Blood pressure within normal range. * No history of lower extremity musculoskeletal injury within the past 6 months. * Not currently using any performance-enhancing substances or medications affecting hormones/metabolism. * Voluntary participation with signed informed consent. Exclusion Criteria: * Presence of acute or chronic diseases affecting exercise performance. * History of deep vein thrombosis or coagulation disorders. * Presence of skin lesions or infections at the thigh cuff placement site. * Participation in other concurrent lower extremity strength/power training programs outside the study. * Use of dietary supplements known to affect muscle metabolism within 4 weeks prior to enrollment. * Inability to complete the full 6-week intervention and testing protocol.
Where it's running
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Guangzhou Sport University
Guangzhou, Guangdong, China Recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Ziyue Ou, PHD
- Email: 105852022100090@stu.gzsport.edu.cn
- Phone: +8615626121623
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.