Physical PerformanceBFRTNCT07538037
Effects of Low-Intensity Blood Flow Restriction Training on Strength and Kicking Performance in Taekwondo Athletes
A study testing LI-BFRT and HIRT in people with Physical Performance and Athletic Performance, run by Shanghai University of Sport at 1 site in China.
Trial summary
This study aims to investigate the effects of low-intensity blood flow restriction training (LI-BFRT) on lower-limb strength and kicking performance in taekwondo athletes. Blood flow restriction training is a method that partially restricts blood flow to the muscles during exercise, which may improve performance while… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 16 to 25 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Physical Performance, Athletic Performance
- What is being tested?
- LI-BFRT and HIRT
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 18 participants
- Where
- 1 siteChina
- Study dates
- 10 Apr 2026to 29 Jun 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 16 to 25 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Child, Adult
Who may be able to join
- Taekwondo athletes aged 16-25 years National-level athletes (National Level 1 or higher); Minimum of 3 years of systematic taekwondo training experience; Free from lower-limb injury within the past 6 months; Able to complete the training intervention and testing procedures.
Who cannot join
- History of cardiovascular, metabolic, or neurological disorders; Current musculoskeletal injury or pain affecting training; Participation in other structured resistance training programs during the study period; Use of medications or supplements that may affect physical performance Inability or unwillingness to provide informed consent.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
China1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
Shanghai University of Sport
Shanghai, Shanghai Municipality, 200438
Yunzhou Hu, MSc, +86 13532279646, 2421852028@sus.edu.cn
Dinghuang Zhu, MSc, +86 13120811467, zhudinghuang@sus.edu.cn
About this study
Official title: Effects of Low-Intensity Blood Flow Restriction Training on Lower-Limb Strength and Kicking Performance in Taekwondo Athletes: A Randomized Controlled Trial
This study aims to investigate the effects of low-intensity blood flow restriction training (LI-BFRT) on lower-limb strength and kicking performance in taekwondo athletes. Blood flow restriction training is a method that partially restricts blood flow to the muscles during exercise, which may improve performance while reducing training load.
Read the detailed description
This study investigates the effects of low-intensity blood flow restriction training (LI-BFRT) on neuromuscular performance in taekwondo athletes. BFRT involves the application of external pressure to the proximal limbs to partially restrict blood flow during exercise, creating a hypoxic and metabolically stressful environment that may enhance muscle activation and promote performance adaptations.
Participants are randomly assigned to either a LI-BFRT group or a high-intensity resistance training (HIRT) group. Both groups complete a 6-week lower-limb resistance training program performed three times per week. The LI-BFRT group performs exercises at low intensity under controlled occlusion, while the HIRT group performs conventional high-load resistance training.
Outcome assessments focus on lower-limb strength, explosive performance, and sport-specific kicking ability. These measures are used to evaluate the effectiveness of LI-BFRT compared with HIRT in improving performance-related outcomes.
This study aims to determine whether LI-BFRT can achieve comparable training effects to traditional high-intensity resistance training while using lower mechanical loads, providing a practical training strategy for taekwondo athletes.
- Conditions
- Physical Performance, Athletic Performance
- Being tested
- LI-BFRT, HIRT
- Keywords
- Blood Flow Restriction Training, Low-Intensity Resistance Training, Taekwondo Athletes, Athletic Performance, Explosive Strength, Anaerobic Power
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
LI-BFRTOther
Low-intensity resistance training combined with blood flow restriction applied to the proximal limbs.
HIRTOther
Conventional high-intensity resistance training without blood flow restriction.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| LI-BFRT | Experimental | Participants perform low-intensity resistance training combined with blood flow restriction. External pressure is applied to the proximal limbs during exercise to partially restrict blood flow. The training program is conducted three times per week for 6 weeks. Receives: Other: LI-BFRT |
| HIRT | Active comparator | Participants perform conventional high-intensity resistance training without blood flow restriction. The training program is conducted three times per week for 6 weeks. Receives: Other: HIRT |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Sport-specific kicking performance
Sport-specific kicking performance is assessed using a standardized kicking test, including kicking frequency and kicking decrement index during repeated kicking tasks.
Measured: Baseline and after 6 weeks
Secondary outcomes (2)
Lower-limb strength
Lower-limb strength is assessed using thigh circumference, countermovement jump height, and one-repetition maximum squat.
Measured: Baseline and after 6 weeks
Anaerobic performance
Anaerobic performance is assessed using the Wingate anaerobic test, including peak power, mean power, relative peak power, and relative mean power.
Measured: Baseline and after 6 weeks
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted20 Apr 2026
- Study start10 Apr 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion29 Jun 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion29 Jun 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (4)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Physical PerformanceStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Basic science
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- Participants are randomly assigned to two parallel groups: a low-intensity blood flow restriction training (LI-BFRT) group and a high-intensity resistance training (HIRT) group. Both groups complete a 6-week training intervention, and outcomes are assessed before and after the intervention.
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 18 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Shanghai University of Sport
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Yunzhou Hu, Shanghai University of Sport
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07538037
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 102772021RT013
- Acronym
- BFRT
- Status last verified
- Apr 2026
- First submitted
- 10 Apr 2026
- Last updated
- 20 Apr 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No: data are not publicly available due to ethical restrictions
Publications
Awana G, Rizvi MR, Sharma A, Aldalaykeh M, Zaidi Z, Makhija S, Sami W, Al-Kuwari NFA. Blood flow restriction training enhances punching force and upper body strength in elite boxers: a randomized trial. Front Physiol. 2025 Oct 17;16:1693271. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2025.1693271. eCollection 2025.
PubMed 41178991Erickson LN, Owen MK, Casadonte KR, Janatova T, Lucas K, Spencer K, Brightwell BD, Graham MC, White MS, Thomas NT, Latham CM, Jacobs CA, Conley CE, Thompson KL, Johnson DL, Hardy PA, Fry CS, Noehren B. The Efficacy of Blood Flow Restriction Training to Improve Quadriceps Muscle Function after Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2025 Feb 1;57(2):227-237. doi: 10.1249/MSS.0000000000003573. Epub 2024 Oct 1.
PubMed 39350350Schoenfeld BJ. Potential mechanisms for a role of metabolic stress in hypertrophic adaptations to resistance training. Sports Med. 2013 Mar;43(3):179-94. doi: 10.1007/s40279-013-0017-1.
PubMed 23338987Bridge CA, Ferreira da Silva Santos J, Chaabene H, Pieter W, Franchini E. Physical and physiological profiles of taekwondo athletes. Sports Med. 2014 Jun;44(6):713-33. doi: 10.1007/s40279-014-0159-9.
PubMed 24549477
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 20 Apr 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Effects of Low-Intensity Blood Flow Restriction Training on Lower-Limb Strength and Kicking Performance in Taekwondo Athletes: A Randomized Controlled Trial
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07538037
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- BFRT / 102772021RT013
- Conditions
- Physical Performance, Athletic Performance
- Keywords
- Blood Flow Restriction Training, Low-Intensity Resistance Training, Taekwondo Athletes, Athletic Performance, Explosive Strength, Anaerobic Power
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 18 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Shanghai University of SportUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 10 Apr 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- 29 Jun 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 29 Jun 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 20 Apr 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
This study aims to investigate the effects of low-intensity blood flow restriction training (LI-BFRT) on lower-limb strength and kicking performance in taekwondo athletes. Blood flow restriction training is a method that partially restricts blood flow to the muscles during exercise, which may improve performance while reducing training load.
Detailed description
This study investigates the effects of low-intensity blood flow restriction training (LI-BFRT) on neuromuscular performance in taekwondo athletes. BFRT involves the application of external pressure to the proximal limbs to partially restrict blood flow during exercise, creating a hypoxic and metabolically stressful environment that may enhance muscle activation and promote performance adaptations.
Participants are randomly assigned to either a LI-BFRT group or a high-intensity resistance training (HIRT) group. Both groups complete a 6-week lower-limb resistance training program performed three times per week. The LI-BFRT group performs exercises at low intensity under controlled occlusion, while the HIRT group performs conventional high-load resistance training.
Outcome assessments focus on lower-limb strength, explosive performance, and sport-specific kicking ability. These measures are used to evaluate the effectiveness of LI-BFRT compared with HIRT in improving performance-related outcomes.
This study aims to determine whether LI-BFRT can achieve comparable training effects to traditional high-intensity resistance training while using lower mechanical loads, providing a practical training strategy for taekwondo athletes.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Basic science
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- Participants are randomly assigned to two parallel groups: a low-intensity blood flow restriction training (LI-BFRT) group and a high-intensity resistance training (HIRT) group. Both groups complete a 6-week training intervention, and outcomes are assessed before and after the intervention.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| LI-BFRT | Experimental | Other: LI-BFRTParticipants perform low-intensity resistance training combined with blood flow restriction. External pressure is applied to the proximal limbs during exercise to partially restrict blood flow. The training program is conducted three times per week for 6 weeks. |
| HIRT | Active comparator | Other: HIRTParticipants perform conventional high-intensity resistance training without blood flow restriction. The training program is conducted three times per week for 6 weeks. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 16 to 25 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Child, Adult
Key inclusion criteria (1 listed)
- Taekwondo athletes aged 16-25 years National-level athletes (National Level 1 or higher); Minimum of 3 years of systematic taekwondo training experience; Free from lower-limb injury within the past 6 months; Able to complete the training intervention and testing procedures.
Key exclusion criteria (1 listed)
- History of cardiovascular, metabolic, or neurological disorders; Current musculoskeletal injury or pain affecting training; Participation in other structured resistance training programs during the study period; Use of medications or supplements that may affect physical performance Inability or unwillingness to provide informed consent.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| LI-BFRTLow-intensity resistance training combined with blood flow restriction applied to the proximal limbs. | Other | LI-BFRT |
| HIRTConventional high-intensity resistance training without blood flow restriction. | Other | HIRT |
Primary outcome
Sport-specific kicking performance
Time frame: Baseline and after 6 weeks
Sport-specific kicking performance is assessed using a standardized kicking test, including kicking frequency and kicking decrement index during repeated kicking tasks.
2 secondary outcomes
Lower-limb strength
Time frame: Baseline and after 6 weeks
Anaerobic performance
Time frame: Baseline and after 6 weeks
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 20 Apr 2026.
- Results publication: PubMed 41178991Awana G, Rizvi MR, Sharma A, Aldalaykeh M, Zaidi Z, Makhija S, Sami W, Al-Kuwari NFA. Blood flow restriction training enhances punching force and upper body strength in elite boxers: a randomized trial. Front Physiol. 2025 Oct 17;16:1693271. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2025.1693271. eCollection 2025.
- Results publication: PubMed 39350350Erickson LN, Owen MK, Casadonte KR, Janatova T, Lucas K, Spencer K, Brightwell BD, Graham MC, White MS, Thomas NT, Latham CM, Jacobs CA, Conley CE, Thompson KL, Johnson DL, Hardy PA, Fry CS, Noehren B. The Efficacy of Blood Flow Restriction Training to Improve Quadriceps Muscle Function after Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2025 Feb 1;57(2):227-237. doi: 10.1249/MSS.0000000000003573. Epub 2024 Oct 1.
- Results publication: PubMed 23338987Schoenfeld BJ. Potential mechanisms for a role of metabolic stress in hypertrophic adaptations to resistance training. Sports Med. 2013 Mar;43(3):179-94. doi: 10.1007/s40279-013-0017-1.
- Results publication: PubMed 24549477Bridge CA, Ferreira da Silva Santos J, Chaabene H, Pieter W, Franchini E. Physical and physiological profiles of taekwondo athletes. Sports Med. 2014 Jun;44(6):713-33. doi: 10.1007/s40279-014-0159-9.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No. data are not publicly available due to ethical restrictions
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing LI-BFRT and HIRT in people with Physical Performance and Athletic Performance, run by Shanghai University of Sport at 1 site in China.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 1 inclusion and 1 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 20 Apr 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in China. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Yunzhou Hu, MSc (+86 13532279646, 2421852028@sus.edu.cn), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Sport-specific kicking performance (time frame: Baseline and after 6 weeks). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT07538037, which also lists 4 linked publications.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 20 Apr 2026.