Pneumatic Compression vs Blood Flow Restriction for Muscle Recovery

Comparing the Effects of Pneumatic Compression and Blood Flow Restriction Therapy on Muscle Recovery

Both BFR and intermittent pneumatic compression are purported to decrease symptoms associated with exercise induced muscle damage (EIMD) that cause delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). Blood flow restriction relies on applying pressurized cuffs to the most proximal portion of the limb. Another form of recovery often relied upon is pneumatic compression. The mechanism by which pneumatic compression works is similar to that of a massage, whereby the device progressively increases the pressure on a portion of the limb before releasing and moving further up the limb.The purpose of this study is determine whether BFR or pneumatic compression can be used to decreased DOMS which may indicate enhanced recovery.

Study Overview

• Status: Recruiting
• Conditions: Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness
• Intervention / Treatment: Device: Pneumatic Compression; Device: Blood Flow Restriction

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Estimated): 33
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Bailey McLagan, MS; Phone Number: 323-442-2498; Email: mclagan@usc.edu

Study Locations

• United States
  • California
    • Los Angeles, California, United States, 90033
      • Recruiting
      • University of Southern California
      • Contact: Bailey McLagan; Phone Number: 323-442-2498

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

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

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• 18-30 years of age
• Recreationally active population
• Women should be on a form of hormonal contraception.
• No current musculoskeletal injuries or pathologies
• Must answer "yes" to all PAR-Q questions.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Individuals that routinely train trail running
• Discomfort when running
• Deep vein thrombosis
• Blood clots
• Cancerous lesions
• Sensory or mental impairment
• Unstable fractures
• Acute pulmonary edema
• Acute thrombophlebitis
• Acute congestive cardiac failure
• Acute infections
• Episodes of pulmonary embolism
• Wounds, lesions, infection, or tumors
• Bone fractures or dislocations
• Increased venous and lymphatic return
• Answers "no" to any of the PAR-Q screening questions

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

3

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
No Intervention: Control; The participants will be asked to refrain from exercise 24 hours prior to and following the exercise. Participants will complete all pre-exercise tests (DOMS, CMJ, MVIC). The exercise consists of running on a treadmill situated at a -10% grade at 9 km/hr (5.59 mph) for 20 minutes. This is proceeded and followed by 5 minute warm-up/cool-down periods. Those that are allocated to the "control" group, will not receive treatment after the downhill running protocol.
Experimental: Pneumatic compression; The participants will be asked to refrain from exercise 24 hours prior to and following the exercise. Participants will complete all pre-exercise tests (DOMS, CMJ, MVIC). The exercise consists of running on a treadmill situated at a -10% grade at 9 km/hr (5.59 mph) for 20 minutes. This is proceeded and followed by 5 minute warm-up/cool-down periods. Those allocated to the "pneumatic compression" group will receive 20 minutes of pneumatic compression at 100 mmHg.	Device: Pneumatic Compression; Following downhill running protocol, participants will complete 20 minutes of pneumatic compression at 100 mmHg.
Experimental: Blood flow restriction; The participants will be asked to refrain from exercise 24 hours prior to and following the exercise. Participants will complete all pre-exercise tests (DOMS, CMJ, MVIC). The exercise consists of running on a treadmill situated at a -10% grade at 9 km/hr (5.59 mph) for 20 minutes. This is proceeded and followed by 5 minute warm-up/cool-down periods. Those allocated to the "BFR" group will receive 4 rounds of treatment: 3 minutes will be spent at 100% of resting limb occlusion pressure, followed by 2 minutes of 0% occlusion.	Device: Blood Flow Restriction; Following the downhill running protocol, participants will complete 4 rounds of treatment: 3 minutes at 100% resting limb occlusion pressure, 2 minutes of 0% resting limb occlusion pressure.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Counter Movement Jump Height	Participants will be asked to complete three consecutive counter movement jumps with hands on hips. The CMJ will be used as an indirect measure of muscle function.	Immediately before and immediately after exercise, immediately after treatment, 24-hours post treatment.
Maximal Voluntary Isometric Contraction	Participants will be asked to complete an MVIC to assess muscle function.	Immediately before and immediately after exercise, immediately after treatment, 24-hours post treatment.
Sedentary delayed onset muscle soreness	Using a visual analog scale, participants will be asked to rate their level of soreness while at rest.	Immediately before and immediately after exercise, immediately after treatment, 24-hours post treatment.
Active delayed onset muscle soreness	Using a visual analog scale, participants will be asked to rate their level of soreness while completing a wall sit.	Using a visual analog scale, participants will be asked to rate their level of soreness while at rest.

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: University of Southern California

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): January 15, 2024
• Primary Completion (Actual): December 1, 2025
• Study Completion (Estimated): May 1, 2026

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: September 17, 2024
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: February 5, 2025
• First Posted (Actual): February 7, 2025

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): March 30, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: March 24, 2026
• Last Verified: August 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Pain; Neurologic Manifestations; Musculoskeletal Diseases; Nervous System Diseases; Muscular Diseases; Neuromuscular Diseases; Musculoskeletal Pain; Myalgia; Therapeutics; Physical Therapy Modalities; Equipment and Supplies; Patient Care; Exercise Therapy; Rehabilitation; Aftercare; Continuity of Patient Care; Blood Flow Restriction Therapy; Intermittent Pneumatic Compression Devices
• Other Study ID Numbers: HS-23-00594

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