Activity, Motor
Conditions
Brief summary
The study aims to look at the blood flow restriction (BFR) + high intensity interval training (HIIT) variables to induce an optimal acute training stimulus (i.e., acute responses in main outcome measures of muscular activation, muscular deoxygenation, and secondary outcome measures of heart rate (HR), blood lactate (bLa), subjective ratings of perceived exertion and discomfort) The hypotheses for this study are: (i) BFR increases muscular deoxygenation, muscular activation when HIIT exercise is of the same intensity, (ii) however, comparing between a lower BFR + HIIT exercise intensity (e.g. 80% V̇O2max) and higher HIIT exercise intensity (e.g. 100% V̇O2max), muscular deoxygenation and activation will be similar but HR will be lower in the BFR + HIIT condition.
Detailed description
This study revolves around the optimisation of blood flow restriction (BFR) and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) protocols for the racket sport athlete. The study aims to look at the BFR + HIIT variables to induce an optimal acute training stimulus. This can be achieved with the consideration of two main research questions: (i) What is the ideal combination of BFR cuff pressure and exercise intensity (i.e. cycling) to elicit favourable training stimuli, i.e., acute responses in main outcome measures of muscular activation, muscular deoxygenation, and secondary outcome measures of heart rate (HR), blood lactate (bLa), subjective ratings of perceived exertion and discomfort?; (ii) How does BFR + HIIT compare with traditional HIIT at a similar or higher exercise intensity in terms of these acute responses? The hypotheses for this study are: (i) BFR increases muscular deoxygenation, muscular activation when HIIT exercise is of the same intensity, (ii) however, comparing between a lower BFR + HIIT exercise intensity (e.g. 80% V̇O2max) and higher HIIT exercise intensity (e.g. 100% V̇O2max), muscular deoxygenation and activation will be similar but HR will be lower in the BFR + HIIT condition.
Interventions
OTHERActive Comparator: HIIT Control
Complete 3 sets of five repetitions of 30 seconds cycling at 100% of maximal aerobic power with 30 seconds of active unloaded recovery between repetitions; 3 minutes of passive rest between sets.
OTHERExperimental: HIIT + BFR between cycling sets
Complete 3 sets of five repetitions of 30 seconds cycling at 100% of maximal aerobic power with 30 seconds of active unloaded recovery between repetitions; 3 minutes of passive rest between sets. Blood flow restriction is applied for 2 minutes during the passive rest at 80% of limb occlusion pressure.
OTHERExperimental: HIIT + BFR moderate occlusion during cycling
Complete 3 sets of five repetitions of 30 seconds cycling at 70% of maximal aerobic power with 30 seconds of active unloaded recovery between repetitions; 3 minutes of passive rest between sets. Blood flow restriction is applied during and between exercise repetitions at 50% of limb occlusion pressure and deflated during passive rest periods.
OTHERExperimental: HIIT + BFR high occlusion during cycling
Complete 3 sets of five repetitions of 30 seconds cycling at 70% of maximal aerobic power with 30 seconds of active unloaded recovery between repetitions; 3 minutes of passive rest between sets. Blood flow restriction is applied during and between exercise repetitions at 80% of limb occlusion pressure and deflated during passive rest periods.
Sponsors
Nanyang Technological University
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
CROSSOVER
Primary purpose
OTHER
Masking
NONE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
MALE
Age
18 Years to 40 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Male * Age: 18-40 years * Competed in competitive varsity sports (endurance, tennis, badminton, squash, football, basketball, etc.) at the varsity/club level * Actively training for at least 2 sessions (1 - 1.5h) per week * Healthy (free from illnesses) and no musculoskeletal injuries for the past 6 months * No history of cardiometabolic, vascular diseases or similar conditions (high blood pressure, peripheral vascular diseases, heart diseases, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, stroke, etc.). * Pass pre-participation health screening tests - Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire for Everyone (PAR-Q+) and Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) pre-screening questionnaire (no history of any risk factors). * Maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) of ≥40mmol/min/kg during a maximal aerobic cycling test. * Non-smoker * Drink alcohol less than 3 times each week and less than 3 drinks each time
Exclusion criteria
* Any diagnosed form of cardiometabolic disease (CVD, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, hypertension) * Any symptoms contraindication of exercise testing (eg chest pains) * Any balance or dizziness problems * Any chronic medical conditions (whether medicated or not) * Any bone joint problems * Any Physician diagnosed contraindications to exercise
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Heart rate | Measured and compared between each acute arm (condition) | Heart rate using short-range telemetry |
| Blood lactate concentration | Measured and compared between each acute arm (condition) | Fingertip capillary measure |
| Muscle activation | Measured and compared between each acute arm (condition) | Surface electromyography of the vastus lateralis and biceps femoris muscles to determine electrical activity of the motor units (physiological parameter) |
| Muscle oxygenation | Measured and compared between each acute arm (condition) | Near infra-red spectroscopy to examine regional tissue (the vastus lateralis muscle) oxygenation i.e, the percentage of haemoglobin and deoxyhaemoglobin (physiological parameter) |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Rating of perceived exertion | Measured and compared between each acute arm (condition) | Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion scale 6-20 (6 = no exertion at all; 20 = maximal exertion) |
| Exertion and Pain scale | Measured and compared between each acute arm (condition) | Borg Category-Ratio (CR) 10 scale (0 = No exertion at all; 10 = Maximal) |
Countries
Singapore
Outcome results
None listed