Physiological Outcomes of High-intensity Interval Training With Post-exercise Blood Flow Restriction

Physiological Outcomes of High-intensity Interval Training With Post-exercise Blood Flow

This research study revolves around the physiological outcomes of using post-exercise blood flow restriction (BFR) with high intensity short interval training (ST) The main aims of this study are to compare (i) aerobic performance outcomes, and (ii) anaerobic and muscular performance outcomes - between 2 groups of participants after either undergoing 3 weeks of ST + post-exercise BFR (BFR-ST) or traditional ST.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Exercise Performance
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: BFR-ST; Other: ST

Detailed Description

This research study revolves around the physiological outcomes of using post-exercise blood flow restriction (BFR) with high-intensity interval exercise training (HIIT), specifically high intensity short interval training (ST) protocol of 30s work, 30s rest, for the recreational endurance athlete. In previous research, it has been shown that using BFR during rest intervals of a ST protocol would elicit greater physiological stresses in terms of higher heart rate, greater muscle activation, reduced oxygenation within the muscle tissue during exercise, and increased blood lactate post-exercise as compared with the control condition. However, the physiological outcomes of this type of training method over a longer-term (9 sessions over 3 weeks) have not been explored. The main aims of this study is to compare the physiological outcomes, - (i) aerobic performance outcomes, and (ii) anaerobic and muscular performance outcomes - between 2 groups of participants after either undergoing 3 weeks of ST + post-exercise BFR (BFR-ST) or traditional ST . The hypotheses for this study are: the BFR-ST group would experience a (i) greater improvement in maximal aerobic capacity, function and time trial performance and, (ii) greater improvement in anaerobic power and capacity as well as muscular strength and power, as compared with the ST group.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 40
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Singapore
  • Singapore, Singapore, 637616
    • Human Bioenergetics Laboratory, National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Male
• 18-40 years
• Actively performing endurance exercise (running or cycling) for at least 2 sessions (1 - 1.5h) per week
• Healthy (free from illnesses) and no musculoskeletal injuries for the past 6 months
• No history of cardiometabolic, vascular diseases or similar conditions (e.g., high blood pressure, peripheral vascular diseases, heart diseases, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, stroke, etc.).
• Pass the pre-participation health screening tests - Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire for Everyone (PAR-Q+) and Australian Institute of Sport Blood Flow Restriction (AIS BFR) pre-screening questionnaire (no history of any risk factors).
• Achieve a maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max) of ≥40ml/kg/min during a maximal aerobic power cycling screening test.
• Non-smoker
• Drink alcohol less than 3 times each week and less than 3 drinks each time

Exclusion Criteria:

• Persons with any form of illnesses and/or musculoskeletal injuries for the past 6 months
• Any history of cardiometabolic, vascular diseases or similar conditions which may worsen with the use of blood flow restriction during exercise
• Fail the pre-participation health screening tests
• Below 40ml/kg/min VO2max during maximal aerobic power cycling test
• Smoker
• Consumption of alcohol beyond that stated in the inclusion criteria.
• History of asthma or taking medication for asthma.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Other
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Single

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Blood flow restriction with short interval training (BFR-ST); 9 sessions of high intensity short interval training with blood flow restriction.	Other: BFR-ST; Undergo 9 sessions of high intensity short interval training involving 3 sets of 8-10 repetitions of 30 secs interval cycling and 30 secs recovery at 100-110% of maximal aerobic power. In between sets there will be 3 mins of passive rest. Blood flow restriction will be applied for 2 mins during the passive rest at 80% of limb occlusion pressure.
Sham Comparator: Sham altitude with short interval training (ST); 9 sessions of high intensity short interval training in an altitude chamber.	Other: ST; Undergo 9 sessions of high intensity short interval training involving 3 sets of 8-10 repetitions of 30 secs interval cycling and 30 secs recovery at 100-110% of maximal aerobic power. In between sets there will be 3 mins of passive rest. Cycling will be conducted in an environmental chamber and participants informed that the altitude is set to 2500m - actual altitude will be sea level.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Maximum oxygen uptake and power		Will be assessed at baseline (Day 0 - Pre) and the change in this outcome 24 hours after 9 sessions of training over 3 weeks (Post)
20 km Cycling time trial		Will be assessed at baseline (Day 0 - Pre) and the change in this outcome 24 hours after 9 sessions of training over 3 weeks (Post)
Wingate test of anaerobic power	Peak and mean power and rate of fatigue	Will be assessed at baseline (Day 0 - Pre) and the change in this outcome 24 hours after 9 sessions of training over 3 weeks (Post)

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Exercise economy	Oxygen uptake at a fixed load of 50% of maximum aerobic power	Will be assessed at baseline (Day 0 - Pre) and the change in this outcome 24 hours after 9 sessions of training over 3 weeks (Post)
Isometric mid-thigh pull	Maximal strength assessment of lower body	Will be assessed at baseline (Day 0 - Pre) and the change in this outcome 24 hours after 9 sessions of training over 3 weeks (Post)
Countermovement jump height	Vertical jump height assessment	Will be assessed at baseline (Day 0 - Pre) and the change in this outcome 24 hours after 9 sessions of training over 3 weeks (Post)

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Nanyang Technological University

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): July 1, 2023
• Primary Completion (Actual): September 30, 2024
• Study Completion (Actual): September 30, 2024

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: April 5, 2023
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 18, 2023
• First Posted (Actual): April 28, 2023

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): April 13, 2025
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 10, 2025
• Last Verified: April 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Other Study ID Numbers: IRB-2023-235

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: YES
• IPD Plan Description: All published data will be placed into the Data Repository of Nanyang Technological University National Institute of Education for public access upon publication.
• IPD Sharing Time Frame: Upon publication - permanent repository
• IPD Sharing Access Criteria: Public repository - exact web address available upon publication.
• IPD Sharing Supporting Information Type: ANALYTIC_CODE

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No
• product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.: No