Auto-regulated Blood Flow Restriction in Athletes With Recurrent Ankle Sprain

Summary

Ankle injuries, especially lateral ankle sprains, are prevalent in physically active individuals. Blood Flow Restriction Training (BFRT) has emerged as a promising method, employing partial arterial occlusion and full venous occlusion with low resistance to induce metabolic stress and achieve outcomes akin to heavy resistance training. This Randomized Controlled study explores the application of BFRT in addressing Chronic Ankle Instability (CAI), focusing on its efficacy in strength gains of extrinsic foot muscles, and potential benefits in functional performance.

Conditions

• Ankle Sprain
• Ankle Instability

Interventions

OTHER

Auto-regulated Blood Flow Restriction Training

This group was recruited to conduct auto-regulated blood flow restriction exercise for 30-min, three times a week for six weeks by a trained physiotherapist, the subjects were asked to perform the following exercises: standing single leg calf raises with lateral resistance using a band, seated soleus raise, single leg balance on the edge of a step clearing the front foot with band on the big toe. SmartCuff 3.0 BFRT tool was used to automatically determine the individualized 50% arterial blood occlusion pressure for the BFRT group at the femoral artery, the cuff was connected to the smart tool device for the auto-regulated group to regulate the cuff pressure during muscle contraction and relaxation. The cuff was deflated in between exercises.

OTHER

Non-regulated Blood Flow Restriction Training

This group was recruited to conduct a non-regulated blood flow restriction exercise for 30-min, three times a week for six weeks by a trained physiotherapist, the subjects were asked to perform the following exercises: standing single leg calf raises with lateral resistance using a band, seated soleus raise, single leg balance on the edge of a step clearing the front foot with band on the big toe. SmartCuff 3.0 BFRT tool was used, whilst the cuff was not connected to the device in the non-regulated blood flow restriction training group and the pressure was stabilized as the initial pressure determined by the device in the non-regulated group. The cuff was deflated in between exercises.

OTHER

Control group

This group was recruited to conduct no blood flow restriction exercise 30 min, three times a week for 6 weeks. SmartCuff 3.0 BFRT tool was used, whilst the cuff was not connected to the device and the pressure was 0 (zero) in this group. The cuff was deflated in between exercises.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Sharjah

  collaborator OTHER

• Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Abdelbasset · University of Sharjah

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

40 Years

Sex

MALE

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2023-11-01

Primary Completion

2024-01-30

Completion

2024-02-02

Countries

• United Arab Emirates

Study Locations