Effects of Low-Intensity Blood Flow Restriction Training on Lower-Limb Strength and Kicking Performance in Taekwondo Athletes: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Overview
- Phase
- Not Applicable
- Status
- Recruiting
- Sponsor
- Shanghai University of Sport
- Enrollment
- 18
- Locations
- 1
- Primary Endpoint
- Sport-specific kicking performance
Overview
Brief Summary
This study aims to investigate the effects of low-intensity blood flow restriction training (LI-BFRT) on lower-limb strength and kicking performance in taekwondo athletes. Blood flow restriction training is a method that partially restricts blood flow to the muscles during exercise, which may improve performance while reducing training load.
Detailed Description
This study investigates the effects of low-intensity blood flow restriction training (LI-BFRT) on neuromuscular performance in taekwondo athletes. BFRT involves the application of external pressure to the proximal limbs to partially restrict blood flow during exercise, creating a hypoxic and metabolically stressful environment that may enhance muscle activation and promote performance adaptations.
Participants are randomly assigned to either a LI-BFRT group or a high-intensity resistance training (HIRT) group. Both groups complete a 6-week lower-limb resistance training program performed three times per week. The LI-BFRT group performs exercises at low intensity under controlled occlusion, while the HIRT group performs conventional high-load resistance training.
Outcome assessments focus on lower-limb strength, explosive performance, and sport-specific kicking ability. These measures are used to evaluate the effectiveness of LI-BFRT compared with HIRT in improving performance-related outcomes.
This study aims to determine whether LI-BFRT can achieve comparable training effects to traditional high-intensity resistance training while using lower mechanical loads, providing a practical training strategy for taekwondo athletes.
Study Design
- Study Type
- Interventional
- Allocation
- Randomized
- Intervention Model
- Parallel
- Primary Purpose
- Basic Science
- Masking
- None
Eligibility Criteria
- Ages
- 16 Years to 25 Years (Child, Adult)
- Sex
- All
- Accepts Healthy Volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria
- •\- Taekwondo athletes aged 16-25 years National-level athletes (National Level 1 or higher); Minimum of 3 years of systematic taekwondo training experience; Free from lower-limb injury within the past 6 months; Able to complete the training intervention and testing procedures.
Exclusion Criteria
- •\- History of cardiovascular, metabolic, or neurological disorders; Current musculoskeletal injury or pain affecting training; Participation in other structured resistance training programs during the study period; Use of medications or supplements that may affect physical performance Inability or unwillingness to provide informed consent.
Arms & Interventions
LI-BFRT
Participants perform low-intensity resistance training combined with blood flow restriction. External pressure is applied to the proximal limbs during exercise to partially restrict blood flow. The training program is conducted three times per week for 6 weeks.
Intervention: LI-BFRT (Other)
HIRT
Participants perform conventional high-intensity resistance training without blood flow restriction. The training program is conducted three times per week for 6 weeks.
Intervention: HIRT (Other)
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
Sport-specific kicking performance
Time Frame: Baseline and after 6 weeks
Sport-specific kicking performance is assessed using a standardized kicking test, including kicking frequency and kicking decrement index during repeated kicking tasks.
Secondary Outcomes
- Lower-limb strength(Baseline and after 6 weeks)
- Anaerobic performance(Baseline and after 6 weeks)
Investigators
Yunzhou Hu
Master's Student
Shanghai University of Sport