Elastic Band Exercises With Blood Flow Restriction Technique in Tennis Players

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 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.

Conditions

• Elastic Band Exercises, Blood Flow Restrictive Exercises, Tennis

Interventions

OTHER

Blood flow restricts exercise

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.

OTHER

Elastic band exercises without occlusion

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.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Akdeniz University

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Neriman Temel Aksu · Akdeniz University

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

OTHER

Masking

NONE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

13 Years

Max Age

18 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2026-08-01

Primary Completion

2027-02-01

Completion

2027-04-30

Countries

• Turkey (Türkiye)

Study Locations