Clinical trial NCT07019168: The Effects of the Blood Flow Restriction Method on Performance Parameters in Elite Volleyball Players
Official title: The Effects of Blood Flow Restriction-Based Jump Squat Exercise on Performance Parameters in Elite Volleyball Players: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial
Study type: INTERVENTIONAL
Overall status: COMPLETED
Phase: NA
Conditions: Jump Performance, Agility, Balance, Blood Flow Restriction, Fatigue
Keywords: Jump Squat
Blood Flow Restriction
BFR
Agility
Balance
Vertical Jump
Fatigue
Plyometric Training
Volleyball
Performance
Lead sponsor: Bahçeşehir University
Sponsor class: OTHER
Collaborators: name: Süreyyapaşa Sports Club
First posted: 2025-06-13
Enrollment: 22
Sex: MALE
Minimum age (years): 18
Maximum age (years): 25
Standard ages: ADULT
Accepts healthy volunteers: no
Allocation: RANDOMIZED
Intervention model: PARALLEL
Intervention model description: Participants were randomly assigned into two parallel groups: one group performed jump squat exercises with blood flow restriction (BFR), and the other group performed the same exercises without BFR. Both groups followed the same protocol over a 4-week period.
Primary purpose: OTHER

Brief summary: This study aims to investigate the effects of blood flow restriction (BFR) applied during jump squat exercises on selected performance parameters in elite volleyball players. Prior to each training session, all participants followed a standardized warm-up protocol that included dynamic stretching, mobility exercises, and general body activation to prepare for the workout. Following this preparation phase, the jump squat exercises were performed.

Participants were randomly assigned to two groups. The experimental group performed the jump squats under blood flow restriction using a manually controlled, non-automated tourniquet, while the control group performed the same exercises without any restriction.

Performance parameters were assessed before and after the 4-week intervention using the following measurement tools:

Jump performance: Measured using the Optojump system

Agility: Assessed with the Hexagon Agility Test

Balance: Evaluated using the Y Balance Test

Perceived fatigue: Measured via the Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) scale

The purpose of the study is to determine whether jump squat exercises performed under BFR conditions can lead to greater improvements in athletic performance and perceived fatigue compared to traditional training methods. The study was conducted using equipment provided by Bahçeşehir University and included licensed volleyball players from Süreyyapaşa Sports Club. The research protocol was approved by the Non-Interventional Research Ethics Committee of Üsküdar University.

Detailed description: This study aims to investigate the effects of jump squat exercises performed with the blood flow restriction (BFR) method on jump performance, agility, balance, and perceived fatigue in volleyball players. The effectiveness of the BFR method on these performance parameters was evaluated in comparison to classical training methods.

The study was conducted on 22 male volleyball players actively training at Süreyyapaşa Sports Club, who had similar age and training backgrounds. Participants were randomly assigned into two equal groups of 11: the experimental group (BFR group), which performed jump squats with blood flow restriction, and the control group, which performed the same exercises without restriction.

All participants followed the same exercise protocol for four weeks, training three times per week. Before each training session, a standardized warm-up routine including dynamic stretching, mobility, and general activation exercises was applied. Following the warm-up, participants performed jump squat exercises in 3 sets of 10 repetitions. In the BFR group, a manually adjustable, non-automated tourniquet device was applied to the proximal region of both thighs during the exercise. This partially maintained arterial flow while restricting venous return, thereby creating a hypoxic environment in the target muscles. No tourniquet was used in the control group.

Pre- and post-intervention assessments were performed using the following measurement tools:

Jump performance was measured using the Optojump system to assess vertical jump height.

Agility was assessed with the Hexagon Agility Test.

Balance was evaluated using the Y Balance Test, targeting lower extremity stability.

Perceived fatigue was recorded using the Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) scale.

The aim of this study was to comparatively evaluate the performance outcomes of jump squat exercises with and without BFR in trained volleyball players. Data were statistically analyzed to determine whether the inclusion of BFR provided measurable benefits in terms of explosive strength, agility, balance, and fatigue. The findings of this study are expected to contribute to the development of safer and more effective training protocols for improving athletic performance.

This research was approved by the Üsküdar University Non-Interventional Research Ethics Committee. All measurement and test devices used in the study were provided by Bahçeşehir University. The training sessions were carried out using the infrastructure of the Süreyyapaşa Sports Club.

Eligibility criteria: Inclusion Criteria:

* Male volleyball players aged 18 to 25
* Playing volleyball regularly for at least 3 years
* No musculoskeletal injury in the past 6 months
* Physically capable of completing the training and testing protocol
* Willing to participate and having signed the informed consent form

Exclusion Criteria:

* History of serious musculoskeletal injury or surgical intervention in the past 6 months
* Presence of chronic diseases (e.g., cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, joint disorders)
* Physical or psychological conditions that may prevent safe participation during exercise
* Inability to adhere to the exercise protocol throughout the study
* Presence of any contraindication to blood flow restriction training, including:

Smoking,History of venous thromboembolism,Risk of peripheral vascular disease (Ankle-Brachial Index \< 0.9),Body mass index (BMI) ≥ 30 kg/m²

Primary outcomes:
measure: Vertical Jump Height
timeFrame: Baseline and post-intervention (after 4 weeks of training)
Secondary outcomes:
measure: Agility (Hexagon Agility Test)
timeFrame: Baseline and post-intervention (after 4 weeks of training)
measure: Dynamic Balance (Y Balance Test)
timeFrame: Baseline and post-intervention (after 4 weeks of training)
measure: Perceived Fatigue (Borg RPE Scale)
timeFrame: Baseline and post-intervention (after 4 weeks of training)
Other outcomes:
Locations:
city: İstanbul
country: Turkey
facility: Süreyyapaşa Sports Club
state: Maltepe
Study officials:
affiliation: Bahçeşehir University, Faculty of Health Sciences
name: Gokay GORMELI, MD, PhD
role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
affiliation: Bahçeşehir University, Faculty of Health Sciences
name: Melike Gizem KALAYCI, PhD, PT
role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
References: