Activity, MotorNCT05835544
Acute High Intensity Interval Training and Blood Flow Restriction
A study testing Experimental: HIIT + BFR between cycling sets, Experimental: HIIT + BFR moderate occlusion during cycling and Experimental: HIIT + BFR high occlusion during cycling in people with Activity, Motor, run by Nanyang Technological University at 1 site in Singapore.
Trial summary
The study aims to look at the blood flow restriction (BFR) + high intensity interval training (HIIT) variables to induce an optimal acute training stimulus (i.e., acute responses in main outcome measures of muscular activation, muscular deoxygenation, and secondary outcome measures of heart rate (HR), blood lactate… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 40 years, men onlyHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Activity, Motor
- What is being tested?
- Experimental: HIIT + BFR between cycling sets, Experimental: HIIT + BFR moderate occlusion during cycling and Experimental: HIIT + BFR high occlusion during cycling
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 24 participants
- Where
- 1 siteSingapore
- Study dates
- 1 Aug 2022to 31 Dec 2022
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
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 18 to 40 years
- Men only
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Male
- Age: 18-40 years
- Competed in competitive varsity sports (endurance, tennis, badminton, squash, football, basketball, etc.) at the varsity/club level
- Actively training for at least 2 sessions (1 - 1.5h) per week
- Healthy (free from illnesses) and no musculoskeletal injuries for the past 6 months
- No history of cardiometabolic, vascular diseases or similar conditions (high blood pressure, peripheral vascular diseases, heart diseases, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, stroke, etc.).
Show all 10Show fewer
- Pass pre-participation health screening tests - Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire for Everyone (PAR-Q+) and Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) pre-screening questionnaire (no history of any risk factors).
- Maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) of ≥40mmol/min/kg during a maximal aerobic cycling test.
- Non-smoker
- Drink alcohol less than 3 times each week and less than 3 drinks each time
Who cannot join
- Any diagnosed form of cardiometabolic disease (CVD, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, hypertension)
- Any symptoms contraindication of exercise testing (eg chest pains)
- Any balance or dizziness problems
- Any chronic medical conditions (whether medicated or not)
- Any bone joint problems
- Any Physician diagnosed contraindications to exercise
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
Singapore1 site
Human Bioenergetics Laboratory, National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University
Singapore, 637616
About this study
Official title: Acute Responses to High-intensity Interval Exercise (HIIE) and Blood Flow Restriction (BFR)
The study aims to look at the blood flow restriction (BFR) + high intensity interval training (HIIT) variables to induce an optimal acute training stimulus (i.e., acute responses in main outcome measures of muscular activation, muscular deoxygenation, and secondary outcome measures of heart rate (HR), blood lactate (bLa), subjective ratings of perceived exertion and discomfort)
The hypotheses for this study are: (i) BFR increases muscular deoxygenation, muscular activation when HIIT exercise is of the same intensity, (ii) however, comparing between a lower BFR + HIIT exercise intensity (e.g. 80% V̇O2max) and higher HIIT exercise intensity (e.g. 100% V̇O2max), muscular deoxygenation and activation will be similar but HR will be lower in the BFR + HIIT condition.
Read the detailed description
This study revolves around the optimisation of blood flow restriction (BFR) and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) protocols for the racket sport athlete. The study aims to look at the BFR + HIIT variables to induce an optimal acute training stimulus. This can be achieved with the consideration of two main research questions: (i) What is the ideal combination of BFR cuff pressure and exercise intensity (i.e. cycling) to elicit favourable training stimuli, i.e., acute responses in main outcome measures of muscular activation, muscular deoxygenation, and secondary outcome measures of heart rate (HR), blood lactate (bLa), subjective ratings of perceived exertion and discomfort?; (ii) How does BFR + HIIT compare with traditional HIIT at a similar or higher exercise intensity in terms of these acute responses?
The hypotheses for this study are: (i) BFR increases muscular deoxygenation, muscular activation when HIIT exercise is of the same intensity, (ii) however, comparing between a lower BFR + HIIT exercise intensity (e.g. 80% V̇O2max) and higher HIIT exercise intensity (e.g. 100% V̇O2max), muscular deoxygenation and activation will be similar but HR will be lower in the BFR + HIIT condition.
- Conditions
- Activity, Motor
- Being tested
- Active Comparator: HIIT Control, Experimental: HIIT + BFR between cycling sets, Experimental: HIIT + BFR moderate occlusion during cycling, Experimental: HIIT + BFR high occlusion during cycling
- Medical subject headings
- Motor Activity
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Active Comparator: HIIT ControlOther
Complete 3 sets of five repetitions of 30 seconds cycling at 100% of maximal aerobic power with 30 seconds of active unloaded recovery between repetitions; 3 minutes of passive rest between sets.
Experimental: HIIT + BFR between cycling setsOther
Complete 3 sets of five repetitions of 30 seconds cycling at 100% of maximal aerobic power with 30 seconds of active unloaded recovery between repetitions; 3 minutes of passive rest between sets. Blood flow restriction is applied for 2 minutes during the passive rest at 80% of limb occlusion pressure.
Experimental: HIIT + BFR moderate occlusion during cyclingOther
Complete 3 sets of five repetitions of 30 seconds cycling at 70% of maximal aerobic power with 30 seconds of active unloaded recovery between repetitions; 3 minutes of passive rest between sets. Blood flow restriction is applied during and between exercise repetitions at 50% of limb occlusion pressure and deflated during passive rest periods.
Experimental: HIIT + BFR high occlusion during cyclingOther
Complete 3 sets of five repetitions of 30 seconds cycling at 70% of maximal aerobic power with 30 seconds of active unloaded recovery between repetitions; 3 minutes of passive rest between sets. Blood flow restriction is applied during and between exercise repetitions at 80% of limb occlusion pressure and deflated during passive rest periods.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| HIIT Control | Active comparator | High intensity interval cycling Receives: Other: Active Comparator: HIIT Control |
| HIIT + BFR between cycling sets | Experimental | High intensity interval cycling with blood flow restriction applied between sets of cycling Receives: Other: Experimental: HIIT + BFR between cycling sets |
| HIIT + BFR moderate occlusion during cycling | Experimental | High intensity interval cycling with moderate blood flow restriction applied during cycling Receives: Other: Experimental: HIIT + BFR moderate occlusion during cycling |
| HIIT + BFR high occlusion during cycling | Experimental | High intensity interval cycling with high blood flow restriction applied during cycling Receives: Other: Experimental: HIIT + BFR high occlusion during cycling |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Heart rate
Heart rate using short-range telemetry
Measured: Measured and compared between each acute arm (condition)
Blood lactate concentration
Fingertip capillary measure
Measured: Measured and compared between each acute arm (condition)
Muscle activation
Surface electromyography of the vastus lateralis and biceps femoris muscles to determine electrical activity of the motor units (physiological parameter)
Measured: Measured and compared between each acute arm (condition)
Muscle oxygenation
Near infra-red spectroscopy to examine regional tissue (the vastus lateralis muscle) oxygenation i.e, the percentage of haemoglobin and deoxyhaemoglobin (physiological parameter)
Measured: Measured and compared between each acute arm (condition)
Secondary outcomes (2)
Rating of perceived exertion
Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion scale 6-20 (6 = no exertion at all; 20 = maximal exertion)
Measured: Measured and compared between each acute arm (condition)
Exertion and Pain scale
Borg Category-Ratio (CR) 10 scale (0 = No exertion at all; 10 = Maximal)
Measured: Measured and compared between each acute arm (condition)
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted28 Apr 2023
- Study start1 Aug 2022
- Primary completion31 Dec 2022
- Study completion31 Dec 2022
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (1)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Activity, MotorStudies 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
- Other
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Crossover
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 24 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Nanyang Technological University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Stephen Burns, Nanyang Technological University
- Investigators
- Stephen Burns, PhD, Principal investigator, Nanyang Technological University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT05835544
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- IRB-2022-135
- Status last verified
- Apr 2024
- First submitted
- 5 Apr 2023
- Last updated
- 3 Apr 2024
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Yes: All published data will be placed into the Data Repository of Nanyang Technological University National Institute of Education for public access upon publication.
Publications
Chua M, Sim A, Burns SF. Acute physiological and perceptual responses to three blood flow restricted interval exercise protocols: a randomised controlled trial. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab. 2025 Jan 1;50:1-13. doi: 10.1139/apnm-2024-0423.
PubMed 39919270
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 3 Apr 2024. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Acute Responses to High-intensity Interval Exercise (HIIE) and Blood Flow Restriction (BFR)
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT05835544
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- IRB-2022-135
- Conditions
- Activity, Motor
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 24 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Nanyang Technological UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 Aug 2022 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 31 Dec 2022 (actual)
- Study completion
- 31 Dec 2022 (actual)
- First posted
- 28 Apr 2023 (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.
The study aims to look at the blood flow restriction (BFR) + high intensity interval training (HIIT) variables to induce an optimal acute training stimulus (i.e., acute responses in main outcome measures of muscular activation, muscular deoxygenation, and secondary outcome measures of heart rate (HR), blood lactate (bLa), subjective ratings of perceived exertion and discomfort)
The hypotheses for this study are: (i) BFR increases muscular deoxygenation, muscular activation when HIIT exercise is of the same intensity, (ii) however, comparing between a lower BFR + HIIT exercise intensity (e.g. 80% V̇O2max) and higher HIIT exercise intensity (e.g. 100% V̇O2max), muscular deoxygenation and activation will be similar but HR will be lower in the BFR + HIIT condition.
Detailed description
This study revolves around the optimisation of blood flow restriction (BFR) and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) protocols for the racket sport athlete. The study aims to look at the BFR + HIIT variables to induce an optimal acute training stimulus. This can be achieved with the consideration of two main research questions: (i) What is the ideal combination of BFR cuff pressure and exercise intensity (i.e. cycling) to elicit favourable training stimuli, i.e., acute responses in main outcome measures of muscular activation, muscular deoxygenation, and secondary outcome measures of heart rate (HR), blood lactate (bLa), subjective ratings of perceived exertion and discomfort?; (ii) How does BFR + HIIT compare with traditional HIIT at a similar or higher exercise intensity in terms of these acute responses?
The hypotheses for this study are: (i) BFR increases muscular deoxygenation, muscular activation when HIIT exercise is of the same intensity, (ii) however, comparing between a lower BFR + HIIT exercise intensity (e.g. 80% V̇O2max) and higher HIIT exercise intensity (e.g. 100% V̇O2max), muscular deoxygenation and activation will be similar but HR will be lower in the BFR + HIIT condition.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Other
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Crossover
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 4
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| HIIT Control | Active comparator | Other: Active Comparator: HIIT ControlHigh intensity interval cycling |
| HIIT + BFR between cycling sets | Experimental | Other: Experimental: HIIT + BFR between cycling setsHigh intensity interval cycling with blood flow restriction applied between sets of cycling |
| HIIT + BFR moderate occlusion during cycling | Experimental | Other: Experimental: HIIT + BFR moderate occlusion during cyclingHigh intensity interval cycling with moderate blood flow restriction applied during cycling |
| HIIT + BFR high occlusion during cycling | Experimental | Other: Experimental: HIIT + BFR high occlusion during cyclingHigh intensity interval cycling with high blood flow restriction applied during cycling |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 40 years
- Sex
- Male only
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (10 listed)
- Male
- Age: 18-40 years
- Competed in competitive varsity sports (endurance, tennis, badminton, squash, football, basketball, etc.) at the varsity/club level
- Actively training for at least 2 sessions (1 - 1.5h) per week
- Healthy (free from illnesses) and no musculoskeletal injuries for the past 6 months
Key exclusion criteria (6 listed)
- Any diagnosed form of cardiometabolic disease (CVD, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, hypertension)
- Any symptoms contraindication of exercise testing (eg chest pains)
- Any balance or dizziness problems
- Any chronic medical conditions (whether medicated or not)
- Any bone joint problems
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Active Comparator: HIIT ControlComplete 3 sets of five repetitions of 30 seconds cycling at 100% of maximal aerobic power with 30 seconds of active unloaded recovery between repetitions; 3 minutes of passive rest between sets. | Other | HIIT Control |
| Experimental: HIIT + BFR between cycling setsComplete 3 sets of five repetitions of 30 seconds cycling at 100% of maximal aerobic power with 30 seconds of active unloaded recovery between repetitions; 3 minutes of passive rest between sets. Blood flow restriction is applied for 2 minutes during the passive rest at 80% of limb occlusion pressure. | Other | HIIT + BFR between cycling sets |
| Experimental: HIIT + BFR moderate occlusion during cyclingComplete 3 sets of five repetitions of 30 seconds cycling at 70% of maximal aerobic power with 30 seconds of active unloaded recovery between repetitions; 3 minutes of passive rest between sets. Blood flow restriction is applied during and between exercise repetitions at 50% of limb occlusion pressure and deflated during passive rest periods. | Other | HIIT + BFR moderate occlusion during cycling |
| Experimental: HIIT + BFR high occlusion during cyclingComplete 3 sets of five repetitions of 30 seconds cycling at 70% of maximal aerobic power with 30 seconds of active unloaded recovery between repetitions; 3 minutes of passive rest between sets. Blood flow restriction is applied during and between exercise repetitions at 80% of limb occlusion pressure and deflated during passive rest periods. | Other | HIIT + BFR high occlusion during cycling |
Primary outcome
Heart rate
Time frame: Measured and compared between each acute arm (condition)
Heart rate using short-range telemetry
Blood lactate concentration
Time frame: Measured and compared between each acute arm (condition)
Fingertip capillary measure
Muscle activation
Time frame: Measured and compared between each acute arm (condition)
Surface electromyography of the vastus lateralis and biceps femoris muscles to determine electrical activity of the motor units (physiological parameter)
Muscle oxygenation
Time frame: Measured and compared between each acute arm (condition)
Near infra-red spectroscopy to examine regional tissue (the vastus lateralis muscle) oxygenation i.e, the percentage of haemoglobin and deoxyhaemoglobin (physiological parameter)
2 secondary outcomes
Rating of perceived exertion
Time frame: Measured and compared between each acute arm (condition)
Exertion and Pain scale
Time frame: Measured and compared between each acute arm (condition)
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 3 Apr 2024.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 39919270Chua M, Sim A, Burns SF. Acute physiological and perceptual responses to three blood flow restricted interval exercise protocols: a randomised controlled trial. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab. 2025 Jan 1;50:1-13. doi: 10.1139/apnm-2024-0423.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Yes. All published data will be placed into the Data Repository of Nanyang Technological University National Institute of Education for public access upon publication.
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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. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Stephen Burns, PhD principal investigator
Nanyang Technological University
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Experimental: HIIT + BFR between cycling sets, Experimental: HIIT + BFR moderate occlusion during cycling and Experimental: HIIT + BFR high occlusion during cycling in people with Activity, Motor, run by Nanyang Technological University at 1 site in Singapore.
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 10 inclusion and 6 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: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 3 Apr 2024. 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 Singapore. 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?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Heart rate (time frame: Measured and compared between each acute arm (condition)). The study lists 4 primary outcomes in all. 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 NCT05835544, which also lists 1 linked publication.
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 3 Apr 2024.