Two Time a Week vs. Five Time a Week Blood Flow Restriction Training Program for the Lower Extremity.

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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This study will randomize healthy adults who regularly perform resistance training exercises for the lower extremities (2x a week) to one of three groups: a blood flow restriction (BFR) exercise group that trains 2x a week, a BFR exercise group that trains 5x a week, and a control group that does not perform any additional BFR exercise. Those randomized to the BFR groups will perform the unilateral 90-0 knee extension exercise followed by the bilateral squat. Subjects will have the BFR applied to their dominant lower extremity and will perform 4 sets (30/15/15/15 reps) per exercise. Training will initial start at 30% of 1RM with training intensity increased by 5% every 2 weeks. The training program will last 8 weeks. Pre- and posttests include ultrasound imaging of the dominant leg rectus femoris and strength testing via hand held dynamometry.

Official Title
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Blood Flow Restriction Training for the Quad: Comparing Daily Training vs. Training Twice a Week

Conditions
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Blood Flow Restriction Training

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: 5x a week BFR training group
* Other: 2x a week BFR training group


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: healthy adults 18 years of age who currently perform weight-lifting (i.e., resistance training) exercise 2x a week. - Exclusion Criteria: current musculoskeletal injury; surgery to the low back or lower extremities during the prior year; one or more contraindications to blood flow restriction training. -

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: 5x a week BFR training group<br>Subjects will perform 2 exercises (LAQ and squat) with BFR applied to dominant thigh daily (5x/wk). Exercises performed for 4 sets (30/15/15/15 reps) initially at 30% 1RM; with load increased by 5% every 2 weeks. Training program lasts for 8 weeks. They are also to continue with their regular independent exercise program. | Other: 5x a week BFR training group<br>* This group will perform the two exercises 5x a week with blood flow restriction, set to 80% of limb occlusion pressure, applied to the dominant thigh.<br>|
| Experimental: 2x a week BFR training group<br>Subjects will perform 2 exercises (LAQ and squat) with BFR applied to dominant thigh twice a week (2x/wk). Exercises performed for 4 sets (30/15/15/15 reps) initially at 30% 1RM; with load increased by 5% every 2 weeks. Training program lasts for 8 weeks. They are also to continue with their regular independent exercise program. | Other: 2x a week BFR training group<br>* This group will perform the two exercises 2x a week with blood flow restriction, set to 80% of limb occlusion pressure, applied to the dominant thigh.<br>|
| No Intervention: Control group<br>This group will not perform any BFR exercises. They are to continue with their regular independent exercise program. | |

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Muscular strength | Hand held dynamometry will be used to assess changes in strength (bilaterally) for the quadricep, hip extensors, and hip abductors. | 8 weeks | 
| Cross-sectional area of the rectus femoris | Ultrasound imaging will measure the cross-sectional area of the rectus femoris | 8 weeks |