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Elastic Band Exercises, Blood Flow Restrictive Exercises, TennisNCT07676071

Elastic Band Exercises With Blood Flow Restriction Technique in Tennis Players

A study testing Blood flow restricts exercise and Elastic band exercises without occlusion in people with Elastic Band Exercises, Blood Flow Restrictive Exercises, Tennis, run by Akdeniz University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).

Not yet recruiting

Opening soon. The study is approved but enrolment has not started yet. Sites may already take enquiries.

Sites and contacts
Official record
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Trial summary

Considering that therabant (elastic band) training combined with blood flow restriction exercises can be an effective training program for achieving muscle hypertrophy in practical applications, the aim of this study was to examine the effect of elastic band exercises integrated with blood flow restriction applied to… Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 13 to 18 years
What is being tested?
Blood flow restricts exercise and Elastic band exercises without occlusion
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
30 participants
Where
1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
Study dates
1 Aug 2026to 30 Apr 2027
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 13 to 18 years
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Child, Adult

Who may be able to join

  • Being between 13-18 years old Having regularly attended training sessions for at least one year Having played tennis professionally for at least 3 months Being willing to participate in the training

Who cannot join

  • Those who have sustained a sports injury within the last 6 months Those who have taken a break from sports Those using nutritional or medical supplements that may affect performance Those with recent upper extremity injuries or risks Those with diagnosed cardiovascular, respiratory, or neurological disorders that prevent moderate-intensity exercise Those with any diagnosed condition that may be a contraindication for blood flow restriction, such as venous thromboembolism, sickle cell anemia, hemophilia, or other clotting disorders

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.

Turkey (Türkiye)1 site
  • Akdeniz University

    Antalya, Konyaaltı, 07070

    Neriman Temel Aksu, 05052973906, nerimantemelaksu@akdeniz.edu.tr

    nerimantemelaksu@akdeniz.edu.tr

Other trials in Turkey (Türkiye)

About this study

Official title: Investigation of the Effects of Elastic Band Exercises With Blood Flow Restriction Technique in Tennis Players: A Randomized Controlled Study

Considering that therabant (elastic band) training combined with blood flow restriction exercises can be an effective training program for achieving muscle hypertrophy in practical applications, the aim of this study was to examine the effect of elastic band exercises integrated with blood flow restriction applied to the upper extremities on grip strength, upper extremity muscle strength, and selected performance parameters in elite tennis players. Tennis is a sport that requires high levels of upper extremity strength, grip strength, coordination, speed, and agility. Therefore, improving performance and ensuring safe strength gains for athletes is important. In recent years, blood flow restriction has attracted attention because it provides muscle strength and hypertrophy gains similar to high-intensity resistance exercises, even with low loads. Elastic band exercises are widely used because they are economical, portable, and applicable to different age groups. This prospective randomized controlled trial will include 30 elite tennis players aged 13-18 who have been licensed to play tennis at Antalya Tennis Specialization and Sports Club for at least 3 months and regularly attend training sessions. Participants will be randomly assigned to study and control groups. The study group will perform upper extremity exercises with elastic bands twice a week for 8 weeks under occlusion, using 7 cm wide pneumatic cuffs applied to the proximal arm at 30% of arterial occlusion pressure. The control group will perform the same elastic band exercises twice a week for 8 weeks without occlusion. Grip strength, upper extremity muscle strength, speed, agility, and sport-specific performance parameters will be evaluated before and after the intervention. The aim of the study is to determine whether elastic band exercises supported by blood flow restriction contribute to strength and performance development in tennis players. This research is expected to provide a scientific contribution to the planning of upper extremity strength training in tennis players and the use of blood flow restriction methods in the field of athletic performance. The findings are expected to contribute to scientific and clinical applications in the fields of sports physiotherapy, performance enhancement, and athlete rehabilitation.

Read the detailed description

Blood flow restriction is a current training approach used to support muscle strength and adaptation in resistance exercises performed with low loads. In this method, blood flow is partially restricted to the affected extremity during exercise via a cuff, thus increasing metabolic stress in low-intensity exercises and aiming to support muscle strength development. In this respect, blood flow restriction is considered a complementary exercise method that can provide strength development without the need for high mechanical loading. While the effects of low-load resistance exercises with blood flow restriction on muscle strength and performance in different sports branches are currently being investigated, the effect of its application in combination with elastic band exercises on grip strength, upper extremity muscle strength, and tennis-specific performance parameters in elite tennis players is not yet sufficiently clear. Since upper extremity function is important for racket control and stroke performance in tennis, examining the effects of this method specific to tennis players could contribute to the literature and training planning. The application of blood flow restriction exercises, mainly used in rehabilitation and athletic conditioning, remains limited among elite tennis players. To date, evidence regarding the integration of resistance band training in athletic contexts is scarce, and randomized controlled trials in tennis players are virtually nonexistent. This gap highlights the need to investigate whether the synergistic benefits observed in clinical examples can be extended to athlete populations where explosiveness, endurance, and balance are critical to performance. Practical considerations faced by physiotherapists, coaches, and athletes are equally important. Traditional resistance training often requires access to gyms, heavy equipment, and structured supervision, which may not always be feasible in resource-constrained tennis academies or while traveling for tournaments. In contrast, elastic band resistance training is a cost-effective, portable, and highly adaptable method that can be implemented with minimal equipment. When integrated, they provide both peripheral benefits (musculoskeletal strength, flexibility) and central adaptations (neuromuscular coordination, proprioceptive control). This makes the hybrid program not only scientifically promising but also practically feasible, offering a conditioning approach that supports performance. The fact that blood flow restriction exercises yield similar results to high-intensity resistance exercises, while elastic band training, even when applied alone as an alternative strength training method, produces less muscle hypertrophy compared to high-intensity resistance exercises, highlights the necessity of this study. Considering that elastic band training combined with blood flow restriction exercises could be an effective training program for achieving muscle hypertrophy in practical applications, the aim of this study was to examine the effects of elastic band exercises integrated into blood flow restriction applied to the upper extremity on grip strength, upper extremity muscle strength, and selected performance parameters in elite tennis players. Despite its increasing popularity, there are few studies evaluating the use of blood flow restriction exercises to improve performance in tennis.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of upper extremity elastic band exercises integrated into an 8-week blood flow restriction method on grip strength, upper extremity muscle strength, and selected performance parameters. Besides their use for rehabilitation purposes, there are resources suggesting that elastic band exercises can improve athletic performance. The key in this regard is determining the strength value in the applied trainings or exercises and planning their development. Studies are being conducted on how much the elastic band should be stretched and exactly how much force should be applied. Article studies support the idea of how much different colored bands should be stretched in exercises or trainings and how many kg of force the band can produce at that tension.

This study, planned as a randomized prospective experimental study, aims to determine whether low-load blood flow restriction exercises contribute to the development of upper extremity strength and athletic performance in elite tennis players. It is believed that this research will provide scientific contributions to the planning of upper extremity strength training in tennis players and the use of blood flow restriction methods in the field of athletic performance.

Being tested
Blood flow restricts exercise, Elastic band exercises without occlusion
Keywords
Elastic band exercises, blood flow restrictive exercises, grip strength, performance, tennis, upper extremity muscle strength.

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Blood flow restricts exerciseOther

    Arterial blood flow pressure will be determined using a pulse oximeter, and exercise will be performed at 30% pressure. Arterial Occlusion Pressure Determination: Limb occlusion pressure will be determined using a pulse oximeter to identify the minimum pressure at which the brachial artery pulse is occluded. Arterial Occlusion Pressure Determination will be determined using the pulse oximeter method. Cuff pressure will be gradually increased, and pulse, SpO₂, and waveform will be monitored on the pulse oximeter. The pressure at which the pulse and waveform completely disappear will be considered the pressure at which arterial flow is interrupted and will be recorded as Arterial Occlusion Pressure Determination. Pressure for Applying Blood Flow Restrictive Exercises: Pressure will be applied at 30% of the determined Arterial Occlusion Pressure for the upper extremity. Occlusion cuffs will be inflated during each exercise and deflated immediately after the set to allow reperfusion.

  • Elastic band exercises without occlusionOther

    Elastic band exercises (day one: Biceps Curls, External Rotation, Resistance Band Row, Pronation - Supination, Lateral Shoulder Stretch, Lawn Mower Row; day two: Push Ups, Internal Rotation, Lat Pull Down, Side Lateral Raises, Triceps Overhead Extensions, Band High Pull) twice a week for 8 weeks without occlusion.

Study groups in NCT07676071
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Control GroupActive comparatorThe control group will perform elastic band exercises (on day one: Biceps Curls, External Rotation, Resistance Band Row, Pronation - Supination, Lateral Shoulder Stretch, Lawn Mower Row; on day two: Push Ups, Internal Rotation, Lat Pull Down, Side Lateral Raises, Triceps Overhead Extensions, Band High Pull) without occlusion, twice a week for 8 weeks.
Receives: Other: Elastic band exercises without occlusion
Study groupExperimentalThe study group will perform upper extremity exercises (day one: Biceps Curls, External Rotation, Resistance Band Row, Pronation - Supination, Lateral Shoulder Stretch, Lawn Mower Row; day two: Push Ups, Internal Rotation, Lat Pull Down, Side Lateral Raises, Triceps Overhead Extensions, Band High Pull) and elastic band exercises twice a week for 8 weeks under occlusion using 7 cm wide pneumatic cuffs applied to the proximal arm at 30% of arterial occlusion pressure.
Receives: Other: Blood flow restricts exercise

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Change of Grip Strength

    A Jamar (NY 10533) brand dynamometer, a hydraulic measuring instrument, will be used to measure grip strength. Athletes will be asked to firmly grasp and release the dynamometer once while seated with their arm in adduction, elbow at 90° flexion, forearm in mid-rotation, and hand in a neutral position. Measurements will be repeated three times for each extremity separately (5 seconds contraction, 30 seconds rest), and the average of these three values will be recorded in kilograms.

    Measured: hange from Baseline Grip Strength at 8 weeks

  2. Change of Upper Extremity Muscle Strength

    A Bench Press 1RM test will be administered to evaluate the maximal upper extremity strength of participants. Before the test, participants will be informed about the exercise technique and will perform appropriate warm-up. Participants will lie supine on the bench, with their feet fixed on the ground, and will grip the bar slightly wider than shoulder width. After lowering the bar to chest level in a controlled manner, they will be asked to push it back up for one repetition. The highest weight the participant can lift with correct technique will be recorded in kilograms as the 1RM value. Sufficient rest time will be given between trials, and an observer/assistant researcher will be present during the test for safety purposes.

    Measured: Change from Baseline Upper Extremity Muscle Strength at 8 weeks

  3. Change of Upper Body Strength

    The 30-second arm curl test will be used to assess upper extremity muscle strength. Participants will use a 3 kg dumbbell during the test. Participants will be instructed to sit in a straight-backed chair with their feet flat on the floor. The weight will be placed in the dominant hand with a neutral wrist position and an extended elbow. After a brief demonstration and practice, the participant will perform as many arm curls as possible within 30 seconds. The total number of completed movements will be considered for analysis.

    Measured: Change from Baseline Upper Body Strength at 8 weeks

  4. Change of The International Tennis Number

    The International Tennis Number-ITN Test will be used to determine the participants' skill levels. The ITN Field Assessment is a tennis skill assessment method developed by the International Tennis Federation.

    Measured: Change from Baseline The International Tennis Number at 8 weeks

  5. Change of Level of Exertion

    Borg Rated Exertion Scale In addition, the Borg Rated Exertion Scale (RPE) was used to determine the level of exertion perceived by athletes during exercise. The Borg Scale is a measurement tool that subjectively evaluates the intensity of exercise and is rated between 6 and 20, and it has been reported to show significant relationships between perceived exertion and physiological load indicators (heart rate, respiratory rate, and muscle fatigue).

    Measured: Change from Baseline Perceived Exertion Level at 8 weeks

  6. Change of Satisfaction and Change Level

    The Global Change Scale will be used to assess the overall level of change perceived by participants after the exercise program. This scale allows individuals to compare their current state with their pre-intervention state and indicate whether they have seen improvement, deterioration, or no change. The scale will be scored between -7 and +7, where -7 means "significant deterioration," 0 means "no change," and +7 means "significant improvement." Participants will be asked to rate the changes they feel in their overall performance, grip strength, and physical condition at the end of the 8-week exercise program using this scale.

    Measured: Change from Baseline Satisfaction and Change Level at 8 weeks

Secondary outcomes (3)
  1. Height in Meters

    The height of all subjects in meters (m) will be noted before the exercise program.

    Measured: Initial assessment before the exercise program.

  2. Weight in Kilograms

    The weight of all subjects in kilograms (kg) will be noted before the exercise program.

    Measured: Initial assessment before the exercise program.

  3. Body Mass Index (BMI) in kg/m^2

    Body Mass Index (BMI) will be calculated with the formula weight (kg)/height (m)^2.

    Measured: Initial assessment before exercise program.

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted30 Jun 2026
  2. Study start1 Aug 2026 (estimated)
  3. Primary completion1 Feb 2027 (estimated)
  4. Study completion30 Apr 2027 (estimated)

Resources

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
Other
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Masking
None (open label)
Enrolment
30 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT07676071
Sponsor's protocol ID
akdeniztennis
Status last verified
Jun 2026
First submitted
24 Jun 2026
Last updated
30 Jun 2026
Results posted
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
Undecided

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Blood flow restricts exercise and Elastic band exercises without occlusion in people with Elastic Band Exercises, Blood Flow Restrictive Exercises, Tennis, run by Akdeniz University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).

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: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 30 Jun 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 Turkey (Türkiye). 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 Neriman Temel Aksu (+905052973906, nerimantemelaksu@akdeniz.edu.tr), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Change of Grip Strength (time frame: hange from Baseline Grip Strength at 8 weeks). The study lists 6 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?
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 30 Jun 2026.

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