Evaluating the impact of High-intensity jump exercises with Blood Flow Restriction among jump Performance and Agility among Basketball Athletes

Players will be evaluated based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Players were randomly divided into 2 groups by the method of drawing lots by someone unrelated to the study. Plyometric group performed a relevant progressive exercise program and BFR group performed the same exercise program combined with BFR application. The duration of the intervention was 6weeks with a twice per week frequency. The intervention took place in the SRM college of physiotherapy sports lab, after warming up and before recovery. The test variables were measured before the intervention, and after the end of the intervention. The plyometric exercise program lasted 6 weeks and was divided into 2 progressive phases. The first phase lasted 3 weeks, the second 3 weeks. There was progression in all exercises, both in the ground contact and the level of difficulty and skill. Each week the sets or repetitions increased, while in each phase the difficulty in the exercises increased, too. In the first phase there were bipedal exercises, in the second phase an obstacle was added to the bipedal exercises and unipodal exercises were introduced. In the third and last phase, an obstacle was added to the one-legged exercises and the height of the obstacle in the two-legged exercises was increased. The eligible participants will be given a written explanation of the study’s objectives before providing their written informed consent form. The athletes will be randomly assigned to either a BFR group A(n=17) and non-BFR group B(n=17). Before starting with the training session, the vertical jump performance, quadriceps muscle strength and agility of each athlete will be recorded using 1RM of leg extension, vertical jump test and agility T- test.Blood flow restriction training guidelines will be followed for Group A (BFR group) while performing exercises. Upon arrival at each testing session, in BFR group participants’ blood pressure will be measured in seated position. Group A participants will be comprehensively familiarized with BFR protocol a BFR cuff will be placed on both legs at the upper third of the thigh, below the gluteal line. Then each participant will do moderate intensity exercise which is between 4-6 on rate of perceived exertion scale. If any participant is facing any difficulty during or while completing the exercise session, then they can discontinue that particular session.

The exercise program of the first week was piloted in two groups (without BFR and with BFR) one week prior to the intervention so that the participants become familiar with the intervention process, the application of BFR as well as for ensuring the appropriate level of difficulty of the exercise regime. They were also asked to rate the difficulty of each exercise on the Borg CR10 scale (>4 scored exercises were acceptable), to ensure an above average difficulty in the prescribed exercises. In the BFR group, the Fitcuffs system (Fit Cuffs ApS, Odder, Denmark) consisting of 10 cm wide nylon cuffs with manual inflation and a manometer were used to control the pressure applied. The cuffs were placed on both legs at the upper third of the thigh, below the gluteal line. The application of pressure was done in the upright position until it reached 100 mmHg. During the breaks, the pressure was checked and adjusted to 100 mmHg.The high intensity jump exercise program will start from a standardized warm-up, which will include running at increasing speed, as well as dynamic stretches lasting approximately 10 minutes. The Physical training sessions will be on two non-consecutive weekdays for 6 weeks. Training volume will be defined based on number of jumps, which will gradually raise each week. In all training sessions, the jump exercises progressed in intensity and complexity from week 1 to week 6. Rests between sets and exercise comprehended 30 and 120 seconds, respectively.