Low-load blood flow restriction versus high-load eccentric training for muscle changes and knee injury prevention in young athletes
Effectiveness of Blood Flow Restriction Training on Muscle Morphology and Prevention of Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome and Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury
This study tests whether low-load blood flow restriction training helps increase muscle size and lower the risk of patellofemoral pain and ACL injury more than high-load eccentric or sham training in young athletes.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 75 (estimated) |
| Ages | 15 Years to 35 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Udayana University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Denpasar, Bali) |
| Trial ID | NCT06566950 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This randomized, three-arm interventional trial will assign competitive young athletes to low-load blood flow restriction (LL-BFRt), a sham LL-BFRt, or high-load eccentric training (HL-Et). The LL-BFRt group performs eccentric exercises (stairs, single-leg squat, single-leg deadlift) at about 30% of repetition maximum with cuff pressure at ~70% of arterial occlusion pressure, the HL-Et group performs eccentric work at ~70% RM, and the sham group performs low-load work without true occlusion. Primary outcomes focus on changes in muscle morphology and markers related to prevention of patellofemoral pain syndrome and ACL injury. Sessions are conducted at the physical therapy laboratory of Universitas Udayana and a partnering physiotherapy clinic in Denpasar, Bali.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are 15–35 year-old athletes who play high-impact sports at least twice weekly, have no prior patellofemoral pain or ACL injuries, and meet the study's health criteria.
Not a fit: People with excluded medical conditions (tumor/cancer, venous thromboembolism, obesity, diabetes, hypertension, anemia, renal failure), disabilities, older or nonactive individuals, or those with prior PFPS/ACL injuries are unlikely to benefit from participating.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the approach could offer a lower-load training option that increases muscle size while reducing joint load and possibly lowering knee injury risk.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research shows LL-BFR can produce muscle hypertrophy and strength gains with low loads, but its specific role in preventing patellofemoral pain or ACL injuries is not well established.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Being between the ages of 15 and 35 * Play level 1 sports (fight martial arts, basketball, futsal, and soccer) at least twice a week * Never experienced an Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome or ACL injury before * Never experienced a grade III sprain or strain * Consent to participate in the study until its conclusion and provide informed consent. Exclusion Criteria: * Having a tumor, cancer, vena thromboembolic disease, obesity, diabetes, hypertension, anemia, and renal failure * Disabilities or those who are disabled.
Where this trial is running
Denpasar, Bali
- Physical therapy laboratory, College of Medicine, Universitas Udayana and ROM Physiotherapy Private Clinic Denpasar — Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: I Putu Gde Surya Adhitya, PhD
- Email: surya_adhitya@unud.ac.id
- Phone: +6288975003567
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.