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Exercise PerformanceNCT05835557

Physiological Outcomes of High-intensity Interval Training With Post-exercise Blood Flow Restriction

A study testing BFR-ST and ST in people with Exercise Performance, run by Nanyang Technological University at 1 site in Singapore.

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record
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Trial summary

This research study revolves around the physiological outcomes of using post-exercise blood flow restriction (BFR) with high intensity short interval training (ST) The main aims of this study are to compare (i) aerobic performance outcomes, and (ii) anaerobic and muscular performance outcomes - between 2 groups of… 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
Exercise Performance
What is being tested?
BFR-ST and ST
Could I receive a placebo?
Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
How many people
40 participants
Where
1 siteSingapore
Study dates
1 Jul 2023to 30 Sep 2024
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
  • 18-40 years
  • Actively performing endurance exercise (running or cycling) 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 (e.g., high blood pressure, peripheral vascular diseases, heart diseases, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, stroke, etc.).
  • Pass the pre-participation health screening tests - Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire for Everyone (PAR-Q+) and Australian Institute of Sport Blood Flow Restriction (AIS BFR) pre-screening questionnaire (no history of any risk factors).
Show all 9Show fewer
  • Achieve a maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max) of ≥40ml/kg/min during a maximal aerobic power cycling screening test.
  • Non-smoker
  • Drink alcohol less than 3 times each week and less than 3 drinks each time

Who cannot join

  • Persons with any form of illnesses and/or musculoskeletal injuries for the past 6 months
  • Any history of cardiometabolic, vascular diseases or similar conditions which may worsen with the use of blood flow restriction during exercise
  • Fail the pre-participation health screening tests
  • Below 40ml/kg/min VO2max during maximal aerobic power cycling test
  • Smoker
  • Consumption of alcohol beyond that stated in the inclusion criteria.
  • History of asthma or taking medication for asthma.

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

Singapore1 site

  • Human Bioenergetics Laboratory, National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University

    Singapore, 637616

Other trials in Singapore

About this study

Official title: Physiological Outcomes of High-intensity Interval Training With Post-exercise Blood Flow

This research study revolves around the physiological outcomes of using post-exercise blood flow restriction (BFR) with high intensity short interval training (ST) The main aims of this study are to compare (i) aerobic performance outcomes, and (ii) anaerobic and muscular performance outcomes - between 2 groups of participants after either undergoing 3 weeks of ST + post-exercise BFR (BFR-ST) or traditional ST.

Read the detailed description

This research study revolves around the physiological outcomes of using post-exercise blood flow restriction (BFR) with high-intensity interval exercise training (HIIT), specifically high intensity short interval training (ST) protocol of 30s work, 30s rest, for the recreational endurance athlete. In previous research, it has been shown that using BFR during rest intervals of a ST protocol would elicit greater physiological stresses in terms of higher heart rate, greater muscle activation, reduced oxygenation within the muscle tissue during exercise, and increased blood lactate post-exercise as compared with the control condition. However, the physiological outcomes of this type of training method over a longer-term (9 sessions over 3 weeks) have not been explored. The main aims of this study is to compare the physiological outcomes, - (i) aerobic performance outcomes, and (ii) anaerobic and muscular performance outcomes - between 2 groups of participants after either undergoing 3 weeks of ST + post-exercise BFR (BFR-ST) or traditional ST . The hypotheses for this study are: the BFR-ST group would experience a (i) greater improvement in maximal aerobic capacity, function and time trial performance and, (ii) greater improvement in anaerobic power and capacity as well as muscular strength and power, as compared with the ST group.

Being tested
BFR-ST, ST

What participants receive

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

  • BFR-STOther

    Undergo 9 sessions of high intensity short interval training involving 3 sets of 8-10 repetitions of 30 secs interval cycling and 30 secs recovery at 100-110% of maximal aerobic power. In between sets there will be 3 mins of passive rest. Blood flow restriction will be applied for 2 mins during the passive rest at 80% of limb occlusion pressure.

  • STOther

    Undergo 9 sessions of high intensity short interval training involving 3 sets of 8-10 repetitions of 30 secs interval cycling and 30 secs recovery at 100-110% of maximal aerobic power. In between sets there will be 3 mins of passive rest. Cycling will be conducted in an environmental chamber and participants informed that the altitude is set to 2500m - actual altitude will be sea level.

Study groups in NCT05835557
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Blood flow restriction with short interval training (BFR-ST)Experimental9 sessions of high intensity short interval training with blood flow restriction.
Receives: Other: BFR-ST
Sham altitude with short interval training (ST)Sham comparator9 sessions of high intensity short interval training in an altitude chamber.
Receives: Other: ST

What is being measured

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

  1. Maximum oxygen uptake and power

    Measured: Will be assessed at baseline (Day 0 - Pre) and the change in this outcome 24 hours after 9 sessions of training over 3 weeks (Post)

  2. 20 km Cycling time trial

    Measured: Will be assessed at baseline (Day 0 - Pre) and the change in this outcome 24 hours after 9 sessions of training over 3 weeks (Post)

  3. Wingate test of anaerobic power

    Peak and mean power and rate of fatigue

    Measured: Will be assessed at baseline (Day 0 - Pre) and the change in this outcome 24 hours after 9 sessions of training over 3 weeks (Post)

Secondary outcomes (3)

  1. Exercise economy

    Oxygen uptake at a fixed load of 50% of maximum aerobic power

    Measured: Will be assessed at baseline (Day 0 - Pre) and the change in this outcome 24 hours after 9 sessions of training over 3 weeks (Post)

  2. Isometric mid-thigh pull

    Maximal strength assessment of lower body

    Measured: Will be assessed at baseline (Day 0 - Pre) and the change in this outcome 24 hours after 9 sessions of training over 3 weeks (Post)

  3. Countermovement jump height

    Vertical jump height assessment

    Measured: Will be assessed at baseline (Day 0 - Pre) and the change in this outcome 24 hours after 9 sessions of training over 3 weeks (Post)

Timeline

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

  1. First posted28 Apr 2023
  2. Study start1 Jul 2023
  3. Primary completion30 Sep 2024
  4. Study completion30 Sep 2024

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
Model description
Two groups exposed to 9 sessions of high intensity short interval training with or without blood flow restriction between sets of exercise.
Masking
Single blind
Who is masked
Participant
Enrolment
40 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT05835557
Sponsor's protocol ID
IRB-2023-235
Status last verified
Apr 2025
First submitted
5 Apr 2023
Last updated
13 Apr 2025
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 MT, Sim A, Aziz AR, Polglaze T, Burns SF. Blood Flow Restriction during Rest Periods of High-Intensity Interval Training Enhances Endurance Performance: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Study. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2026 Jan 1;58(1):86-98. doi: 10.1249/MSS.0000000000003834. Epub 2025 Aug 12.

    PubMed 40792614

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing BFR-ST and ST in people with Exercise Performance, 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 9 inclusion and 7 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 13 Apr 2025. 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. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. 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?

Maximum oxygen uptake and power (time frame: Will be assessed at baseline (Day 0 - Pre) and the change in this outcome 24 hours after 9 sessions of training over 3 weeks (Post)). The study lists 3 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 NCT05835557, 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 13 Apr 2025.

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