Effects of Blood Flow Restriction vs. High-Load Resistance Training on Arm Strength (BFRT-ARM)

March 10, 2026 updated by: Hüsnü Kocaman, Gazi University

The Effect of Blood Flow Restriction Resistance Exercise on Arm Muscle Strength and Isokinetic Contraction Parameters

This study investigated the effects of low-load resistance training combined with blood flow restriction (BFRT) compared to traditional high-load resistance training on arm muscle strength and isokinetic contraction parameters in healthy young adults. Participants were prospectively assigned to either a low-load BFRT group or a high-load resistance training group for a 7-week intervention period. Muscle strength and isokinetic peak torque were assessed before and after the intervention. The primary objective was to determine whether low-load BFRT produces comparable improvements in muscle strength and isokinetic performance to high-load resistance training.

Study Overview

Status

Completed

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

his interventional study was designed to compare the effects of low-load blood flow restriction resistance training (LL-BFRT) and high-load resistance training (HL-RT) on arm muscle strength and isokinetic contraction parameters in healthy individuals.

A total of 22 healthy young adults were prospectively assigned to either a low-load BFRT group or a high-load resistance training group. The intervention lasted 7 weeks. The low-load BFRT group performed resistance exercises at 30% of one-repetition maximum (1RM) combined with individualized blood flow restriction pressure, while the high-load group trained at 70% of 1RM without blood flow restriction.

Primary outcome measures included isokinetic peak torque values of the elbow flexors and extensors. Secondary outcomes included muscle strength assessments. All participants completed pre-intervention and post-intervention evaluations.

The study aimed to determine whether low-load BFRT can induce strength and performance adaptations comparable to traditional high-load resistance training, offering an alternative training strategy when high mechanical loads are not desirable.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

22

Phase

  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Healthy individuals between the ages of 18 and 40
  • Individuals not taking any dietary supplements
  • Individuals not taking a substance containing anabolic ingredients
  • Individuals subjected to a resistance training program for at least 6 months
  • Individuals not performing aerobic training for more than 30 minutes per day
  • Individuals training with a personal trainer

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Individuals with a skeletal muscle injury in the last 6 months
  • Individuals who have undergone a surgical operation
  • Individuals with chronic high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease
  • Individuals who miss three consecutive training sessions
  • Individuals with chronic cardiovascular disease

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

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

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Low-Load Blood Flow Restriction Training(LL-BFRT)
Participants performed resistance exercises at 30% of one-repetition maximum combined with individualized blood flow restriction pressure for 7 weeks.
Procedure: Low Load Blood Flow Restriction Training
Low-load resistance training performed at 30% of one-repetition maximum with individualized blood flow restriction pressure.
Active Comparator: High-Load Resistance Training(HL-RT)
Participants performed resistance exercises at 70% of one-repetition maximum without blood flow restriction for 7 weeks.
Procedure: High Load Resistance Training
Traditional resistance training performed at 70% of one-repetition maximum without blood flow restriction.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Arm Muscle Strength
Time Frame: Baseline and after 7 weeks of training
Isokinetic peak torque of elbow flexor and extensor muscles measured using an isokinetic dynamometer.
Baseline and after 7 weeks of training

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Isokinetic Contraction Parameters
Time Frame: Baseline and after 7 weeks of training
Isokinetic peak torque (Nm) of elbow flexor and extensor muscles measured using an isokinetic dynamometer.
Baseline and after 7 weeks of training

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Gazi University

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

February 5, 2024

Primary Completion (Actual)

March 25, 2024

Study Completion (Actual)

April 1, 2024

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

March 5, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

March 5, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

March 10, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

March 12, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

March 10, 2026

Last Verified

March 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Other Study ID Numbers

  • E-77082166-302.08.01-506408

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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