Purpose

The primary objective of this prospective study is to investigate the effects of Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) training compared to traditional low-weight resistance training on grip strength in young adults. Despite the growing interest in BFR training and its potential benefits, there is limited research specifically investigating its impact on grip strength. Understanding the effects of BFR training on grip strength could have significant implications for individuals seeking to optimize their grip performance, rehabilitation settings, and sports performance enhancement. Additionally, examining the safety and efficacy of BFR training for this specific outcome will contribute valuable insights to the scientific community.

Condition

Eligibility

Eligible Ages
Between 18 Years and 35 Years
Eligible Sex
All
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
Yes

Inclusion Criteria

  • Participants must be between 18 and 35 years old at the time of enrollment. Participants should be in good general health with no known cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, or neurological disorders that could interfere with exercise participation. Participants must provide informed consent before enrollment in the study, indicating their willingness to participate voluntarily.

Exclusion Criteria

  • Participants with a history of cardiovascular disease (e.g., heart disease, hypertension), musculoskeletal injuries (e.g., fractures, dislocations), or neurological disorders (e.g., neuropathy) that could affect exercise performance will be excluded. Participants taking medications or supplements that may impact muscle strength, metabolism, or blood flow will be excluded from the study. Pregnant individuals will be excluded due to potential risks associated with exercise and blood flow restriction during pregnancy. Individuals with recent upper extremity injuries, such as strains, sprains, or fractures, will be excluded until fully recovered. Blood Pressure: Participants with uncontrolled high blood pressure or other medical conditions affecting vascular health may be excluded due to potential risks associated with blood flow restriction.

Study Design

Phase
N/A
Study Type
Interventional
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention Model
Parallel Assignment
Intervention Model Description
This is a randomized controlled study where participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups.
Primary Purpose
Treatment
Masking
Double (Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)

Arm Groups

ArmDescriptionAssigned Intervention
Experimental
Blood flow restriction with low-weight resistance training (LWRT) group
a blood flow restriction with low-weight resistance training (LWRT) group
  • Other: Blood flow restriction
    Both groups will undergo a 6-week training intervention with training 2x a week, after which grip strength and other relevant outcomes will be measured and compared. Exercise sessions will be at least 48 hours apart. Participants will be allowed to continue with their normal exercise routine outside of the study.
No Intervention
No Blood flow restriction group which just does LWRT
a non blood flow restriction group which just does low-weight resistance training

Recruiting Locations

Casa Colina Healthcare and Hospital
Pomona, California 91767
Contact:
Emily Rosario, PhD
909-596-7733
erosario@casacolina.org

More Details

Status
Recruiting
Sponsor
Casa Colina Hospital and Centers for Healthcare

Study Contact

Detailed Description

Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) training, also known as occlusion training, is an innovative exercise technique that involves using a tourniquet or blood pressure cuff to partially restrict blood flow to the working muscles during resistance exercises. This unique approach allows individuals to achieve significant muscle strength and hypertrophy gains with lower resistance loads, making it a promising alternative to traditional high-intensity training methods. BFR training has been extensively studied in various populations, demonstrating its potential benefits for muscle growth, strength, and endurance across different muscle groups. While much research has focused on the effects of BFR training on large muscle groups like the quadriceps and biceps, there is a paucity of studies specifically investigating its impact on upper extremity grip strength. Grip strength is a fundamental measure of hand and forearm muscle function, playing a crucial role in various activities of daily living, occupational tasks, and sports performance. Understanding the effects of BFR training on grip strength could provide valuable insights into optimizing hand and forearm strength and functional capacity. The current study seeks to fill this research gap by examining the effects of Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) training on upper extremity grip strength in a healthy young adult population. By exploring this novel application of BFR training, we aim to contribute to the existing body of knowledge surrounding BFR's potential benefits for grip strength enhancement. The results of this study may have implications for athletes, rehabilitation programs, and individuals seeking efficient and effective ways to enhance their grip strength and overall upper extremity function.

Notice

Study information shown on this site is derived from ClinicalTrials.gov (a public registry operated by the National Institutes of Health). The listing of studies provided is not certain to be all studies for which you might be eligible. Furthermore, study eligibility requirements can be difficult to understand and may change over time, so it is wise to speak with your medical care provider and individual research study teams when making decisions related to participation.