Effects of Blood Flow Restriction Exercises on Lumbar Muscle Endurance and Balance in Healthy Young Adults

Summary

This study aims to examine the effects of blood flow restriction (BFR) exercises on back muscle endurance and balance in healthy young adults. BFR is a training method that involves applying controlled pressure to the limbs with a cuff while performing simple exercises. It has been shown to improve muscle strength and endurance even at low exercise loads, reducing stress on the joints.

In this study, participants aged 20 to 25 years will be randomly assigned to two groups. One group will perform sit-to-stand (STS) exercises combined with BFR, while the other group will perform the same exercises without BFR. The exercise program will last 6 weeks, with 2 sessions per week.

Before and after the program, participants will be assessed for:

Lumbar extensor muscle endurance (using the Biering-Sørensen test)

Balance performance (using a computerized balance platform)

Physiological responses such as oxygen saturation, heart rate, and blood pressure

The purpose of this research is to determine whether BFR exercises improve spinal muscle endurance and balance more effectively than standard sit-to-stand exercises. The results may provide new insights into the use of BFR training as a safe and practical strategy for improving posture, preventing back problems, and enhancing physical performance in young adults.

Conditions

• Healthy Volunteers
• Low Back Pain
• Postural Balance
• Muscle Fatigue
• Endurance

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Blood Flow Restriction Sit-to-Stand Exercise

Participants perform sit-to-stand (STS) exercises with blood flow restriction applied using a pneumatic cuff placed on the thigh. Cuff pressure is set at 60-80% of the participant's systolic blood pressure. Sessions are supervised by a physiotherapist twice per week for six weeks.

BEHAVIORAL

Sit-to-Stand Exercise without Blood Flow Restriction

Participants perform the same sit-to-stand (STS) exercise protocol as the experimental group, but without blood flow restriction. Sessions are supervised twice weekly for six weeks, and outcomes are assessed before and after the program.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey

  collaborator OTHER

• Mehmet Akif Guler

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Mehmet Akif Güler, PhD, PT · Selçuk University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

BASIC_SCIENCE

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

20 Years

Max Age

25 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2025-09-29

Primary Completion

2025-11-30

Completion

2025-11-30

Countries

• Turkey (Türkiye)

Study Locations