Blood Flow Restriction Training as a Targeted Intervention for Rowers With Back Pain.

ConditionLow Back Pain

Trial statusRecruiting

Trial phaseNot applicable

Trial typeInterventional

Biological sexAll

Age13-20

SponsorLoma Linda University

About this trial

The purpose of this graduate student research study is to compare the effects of low-load blood flow restriction training (LL-BFR) and heavy-load training (HLT) in high-volume rowers with mild low back pain or recurrent low back pain (LBP), aiming to determine whether LL-BFR offers a safer yet equally effective alternative to HLT for enhancing performance and reducing risk of re-injury.

Eligibility criteria

This trial accepts healthy volunteers

Qualifiers

Aged 13-20 years old

Currently active rower (training ≥3 days/week or 12 hours/week)

Mild LBP with a low reactivity (<3/10) or recurring LBP within the past 18 months that has affected attendance to team practices/races.

Able to complete a 2,000-meter rowing erg test

Disqualifiers

Have severe or acute back pain that limits basic movement or requires medical treatment

History of spinal surgery or structural spine conditions (scoliosis requiring bracing/surgery)

Peripheral vascular disease (PVD)

History of vascular surgery in arms or legs

Trial design

Design model

Parallel

Treatments tested in this trial

blood flow restriction
Other intervention
The SAGA blood flow restriction tourniquet system will be used for each training sessions for the rowers within the light load restriction group. The 4 inch-wide tourniquet will be applied to both upper thighs during the strength and endurance exercises. Tourniquet setting will be determined as the pressure needed to achieve 40-80% arterial occlusion to the extremity (as measured by the SAGA BFR unit). The SAGA units provides a consistent amount of pressure to the extremity throughout the ROM of the exercise. The settings will be determined at baseline and then recalibrated weekly.
Heavy load resistance training
Other intervention
For the resistance prescription, rowers will do strengthening exercises at 70-80% 1 RM. Exercises will be performed in series following 6 sets by 5 reps, with 120 seconds of rest between sets for each exercise.

Treatment groups

120 Participants

are divided into 2 treatment groups

Group A: Blood Flow Restriction GroupActive comparator 1 intervention

Group B: Non Blood Flow Restriction GroupActive comparator 1 intervention

Trial outcomes

Primary outcomes

Hamstring and quadricep muscular fatigue assessment via Noraxon Electromyography

Time frame

change between baseline and 10 weeks

Sponsors and contacts

Click on the lead sponsor to view all of their trials.

Loma Linda University

Lead sponsor

Source ClinicalTrials.gov

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