Blood Flow Restriction During Nordic Hamstring Exercise in Elite Adolescent Athletes
ConditionHealthy Volunteers (HV)
Trial statusRecruiting
Trial phaseNot applicable
Trial typeInterventional
Biological sexAll
Age14-18
SponsorToros University
About this trial
This crossover experimental study aims to compare acute hamstring muscle oxygenation responses during Nordic Hamstring Exercise (NHE) and Blood Flow Restriction Nordic Hamstring Exercise (BFR-NHE) in elite adolescent athletes. Participants will complete both exercise conditions in a randomized order separated by a 7-day washout period. Muscle oxygen saturation will be assessed using near-infrared spectroscopy (MOXY), together with total hemoglobin responses, blood lactate concentration, perceived exertion, and exercise performance variables. The findings may improve understanding of the physiological effects of blood flow restriction during eccentric hamstring exercise in adolescent athletes.
Eligibility criteria
This trial accepts healthy volunteersQualifiers
Elite adolescent athletes aged 14 to 18 years.
Licensed athletes with at least 3 years of regular sports participation.
Currently participating in a regular weekly training program.
Physically able to complete the Nordic Hamstring Exercise and study testing protocol.
Disqualifiers
Hamstring injury within the previous 6 months.
Lower extremity surgery within the previous 6 months.
Current lower extremity pain or musculoskeletal injury that may interfere with exercise performance.
Cardiovascular, vascular, neurological, or other medical conditions that may contraindicate blood flow restriction exercise.
Trial design
Design model
Crossover
Treatments tested in this trial
Nordic Hamstring Exercise
Other interventionParticipants will perform a standardized Nordic Hamstring Exercise protocol under physiotherapist supervision. From a kneeling position with the ankles stabilized, participants will lower the trunk forward in a controlled manner while maintaining alignment of the trunk and hips.
Blood Flow Restriction Nordic Hamstring Exercise
Other interventionParticipants will perform the same standardized Nordic Hamstring Exercise protocol while individualized blood flow restriction is applied using a pneumatic cuff positioned on the proximal lower extremity.
Treatment groups
24 Participants
are divided into 2 treatment groupsGroup A: BFR NHE-NHEExperimental treatment 2 interventions
Group B: NHE-BFR NHEExperimental treatment 2 interventions
Trial outcomes
Primary outcomes
1
Difference in Change in Hamstring Muscle Oxygen Saturation (Delta SmO₂) Between NHE and BFR-NHE
Hamstring muscle oxygen saturation will be continuously measured using a wearable near-infrared spectroscopy device (MOXY) during conventional Nordic Hamstring Exercise and Blood Flow Restriction Nordic Hamstring Exercise. Delta SmO₂ will be calculated as the difference between baseline SmO₂ and the minimum SmO₂ recorded during each exercise condition. Greater negative change indicates greater muscle deoxygenation.
Time frame
During each exercise session, with the two sessions separated by a 7-day washout period2
Difference in Minimum Hamstring Muscle Oxygen Saturation Between NHE and BFR-NHE
The minimum hamstring muscle oxygen saturation value (SmO₂, %) recorded during each exercise condition will be obtained using the MOXY near-infrared spectroscopy device. Lower values indicate greater muscle deoxygenation.
Time frame
During each exercise session, with the two sessions separated by a 7-day washout period3
Difference in Hamstring Muscle Oxygen Saturation During Recovery Between NHE and BFR-NHE
Hamstring muscle oxygen saturation (SmO₂, %) will be recorded during the post-exercise recovery period following each exercise condition using the MOXY device.
Time frame
Immediately after each exercise session during the recovery period, with sessions separated by a 7-day washout period4
Difference in Peak Hamstring Total Hemoglobin Between NHE and BFR-NHE
Peak total hemoglobin concentration in the hamstring muscle will be recorded during each exercise condition using the MOXY near-infrared spectroscopy device.
Time frame
During each exercise session, with the two sessions separated by a 7-day washout period.Secondary outcomes
1
Difference in Rating of Perceived Exertion Between NHE and BFR-NHE
Perceived exertion will be assessed using the Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion Scale following each exercise condition. Higher scores indicate greater perceived exertion.
Time frame
Immediately after each exercise session, with the two sessions separated by a 7-day washout period2
Difference in the Number of Successfully Completed Nordic Hamstring Exercise Repetitions Between Conditions
The number of Nordic Hamstring Exercise repetitions completed with the required technique will be recorded during each exercise condition. A higher number indicates better acute exercise performance.
Time frame
During each exercise session, with the two sessions separated by a 7-day washout period3
Difference in Post-Exercise Hamstring Muscle Soreness Between NHE and BFR-NHE
Hamstring muscle soreness will be assessed using an 11-point Numerical Rating Scale ranging from 0, indicating no soreness, to 10, indicating the worst imaginable soreness.
Time frame
24 hours after each exercise sessionSponsors and contacts
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Source ClinicalTrials.gov