Volleyball PlayersPAPE-BFR-EMSNCT06874829
Post-Activation Performance Enhancement in Single and Multi-Joint Exercises With BFR and EMS in Male Volleyball Players
A study testing Electrical Muscle Stimulation, Blood Flow Restriction and Low-Load Resistance Exercise in people with Volleyball Players and Post Activation Potentiation, run by Karabuk University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
Investigators used a randomized controlled crossover design to compare the effect of blood flow restriction (BFR) and electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) protocols on post-activation performance enhancement (PAPE) in multi-joint versus single-joint exercises. Participants took part in six test sessions 72 hours apart. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 30 years, men onlyHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Volleyball Players, Post Activation Potentiation, Muscle Strength
- What is being tested?
- Electrical Muscle Stimulation, Blood Flow Restriction and Low-Load Resistance Exercise
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 15 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 10 Feb 2025to 29 Oct 2025
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
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 30 years
- Men only
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Being healthy
- Male volleyball athletes
- Willing to maintain the intervention for all sessions
Who cannot join
- Being under 18 years old
- Having a chronic disease
- Contraindication for Electromyostimulation (EMS)
- Contraindication for Blood Flow Restriction (BFR)
- Contraindications for exercise
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: Post-activation Performance Enhancement in Multi- vs Single-Joint Movements: A Comparative Study of BFR and EMS in Male Volleyball Athletes
Investigators used a randomized controlled crossover design to compare the effect of blood flow restriction (BFR) and electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) protocols on post-activation performance enhancement (PAPE) in multi-joint versus single-joint exercises. Participants took part in six test sessions 72 hours apart. In the BFR group, 50% of the arterial occlusion pressure (AOP) was used. In the EMS group, a 75 Hz current was applied. In the Low Resistance exercise group, only exercise was performed without any condition. Bench press (multi-joint) and triceps push-down (single-joint) exercises were used in the conditions.
Read the detailed description
Participants took part in six test sessions 72 hours apart. All tests were performed between 2 and 4 pm to reduce the influence of circadian rhythms or fatigue on performance. Anthropometric measurements, 1 RM test, and grip strength and serving speed tests were determined before the practice session on the first day as a control condition. On the other six experimental days, players were randomly assigned to protocols (BFR, EMS, and LOW-LOAD) using software (http://www.randomizer.org). In the BFR group, 50% of the arterial occlusion pressure (AOP) was used. In the EMS group, a 75 Hz current was applied. In the Low Resistance exercise group, only exercise was performed without any condition. Bench press (multi-joint) and triceps push-down (single-joint) exercises were used in the conditions. In all protocols, participants performed a standardized warm-up protocol consisting of a 5-minute run at 9 km/h on a treadmill and a general warm-up consisting of 3 minutes of whole-body light stretching exercises. Following the warm-up and pre-exercise protocols, grip strength and service speed tests were performed with rest periods.
- Being tested
- Electrical Muscle Stimulation, Blood Flow Restriction, Low-Load Resistance Exercise
- Keywords
- Post-activation performance, Blood Flow Restriction Exercise, volleyball, Hand Grip Strength, Service Speed
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Electrical Muscle StimulationOther
Also called EMS
EMS will be applied bilaterally to the wrist flexor and elbow extensor muscles using a portable EMS stimulator (Compex Rehab 400, Medicompex SA, Ecublens, Switzerland). Four 2 mm thick, self-adhesive electrodes (5x5 cm) will be placed on the superficial aspect of each muscle group. The athletes will simultaneously receive EMS intervention with a pulse frequency of 75 Hz and a duration of 400 μs (19 seconds rest between pulses) during bench press and triceps pushdown exercises. Bench press and triceps push down exercises will be performed with 30% 1TM, 30-15-15-15 repetitions and thirty seconds rest between sets.
Blood Flow RestrictionOther
Also called BFR
The arterial occlusion pressures (AOP) of the athletes randomized to the experimental group will be obtained automatically with the digital LED display CAC device BFR Unit (Fit Cuffs BFR Unit, Denmark). The AOP pressure device BFR Unit (Fit Cuffs BFR Unit, Denmark) will be used to apply 50% occlusion pressure during exercise. Bench press and triceps push down exercises will be performed with 30% 1TM, 30-15-15-15 repetitions and thirty seconds rest between sets.
Low-Load Resistance ExerciseOther
Also called LL-RE
Bench press and triceps pushdown exercises will be performed with 30% 1RM, 30-15-15-15 repetitions and 30 seconds rest between sets.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Blood flow restriction | Active comparator | In the BFR group, 50% of the arterial occlusion pressure (AOP) was used.Bench press (multi-joint) and triceps push-down (single-joint) exercises were used in the conditions. Receives: Other: Blood Flow Restriction |
| Electrical muscle stimulation | Active comparator | In the EMS group, a 75 Hz current was applied. Bench press (multi-joint) and triceps push-down (single-joint) exercises were used in the conditions. Receives: Other: Electrical Muscle Stimulation |
| Low Load Resistance Exercise | Active comparator | In the Low Resistance Exercise group, only exercise was performed without any condition (BFR or EMS. Bench press (multi-joint) and triceps push-down (single-joint) exercises were used in the conditions. Receives: Other: Low-Load Resistance Exercise |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Service speed
Service speed will assess by standard radar apparatus (Net Playz Smart Pro Speed Radar, USA) and will record in km/h.
Measured: From baseline to the end of treatment at 8 weeks
Hand Grip strength
Hand grip strength will assess by hand grip dynamometer (Takei 5,101, Tokyo, Japan) and will record in kg.
Measured: From baseline to the end of treatment at 8 weeks
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted13 Mar 2025
- Study start10 Feb 2025
- Primary completion9 Aug 2025 (estimated)
- Study completion29 Oct 2025 (estimated)
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 Volleyball PlayersStudies 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
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Crossover
- Model description
- Crossover Assignment
- Masking
- Triple blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Care provider, Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 15 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Karabuk University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Neslihan AKÇAY, Karabuk University
- Investigators
- Neslihan AKCAY, Doctorate, Study chair, Karabuk University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06874829
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- UKarabuk-2
- Acronym
- PAPE-BFR-EMS
- Status last verified
- Mar 2025
- First submitted
- 25 Feb 2025
- Last updated
- 13 Mar 2025
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Undecided
Publications
Keskin K, Akcay N, Ozmen T, Contarli N, Yildiz KC, Sofuoglu C, Kamis O, Rolnick N, de Queiros VS, Montoye A. Effects of different pre-exercise strategies on jumping performance in female volleyball players. J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 2025 Jan;65(1):59-68. doi: 10.23736/S0022-4707.24.16196-8. Epub 2024 Oct 3.
PubMed 39360986
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 13 Mar 2025. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Post-activation Performance Enhancement in Multi- vs Single-Joint Movements: A Comparative Study of BFR and EMS in Male Volleyball Athletes
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06874829
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- PAPE-BFR-EMS / UKarabuk-2
- Keywords
- Post-activation performance, Blood Flow Restriction Exercise, volleyball, Hand Grip Strength, Service Speed
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Active, not recruiting
- Enrolment
- 15 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Karabuk UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 10 Feb 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 9 Aug 2025 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 29 Oct 2025 (estimated)
- First posted
- 13 Mar 2025 (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.
Investigators used a randomized controlled crossover design to compare the effect of blood flow restriction (BFR) and electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) protocols on post-activation performance enhancement (PAPE) in multi-joint versus single-joint exercises. Participants took part in six test sessions 72 hours apart. In the BFR group, 50% of the arterial occlusion pressure (AOP) was used. In the EMS group, a 75 Hz current was applied. In the Low Resistance exercise group, only exercise was performed without any condition. Bench press (multi-joint) and triceps push-down (single-joint) exercises were used in the conditions.
Detailed description
Participants took part in six test sessions 72 hours apart. All tests were performed between 2 and 4 pm to reduce the influence of circadian rhythms or fatigue on performance. Anthropometric measurements, 1 RM test, and grip strength and serving speed tests were determined before the practice session on the first day as a control condition. On the other six experimental days, players were randomly assigned to protocols (BFR, EMS, and LOW-LOAD) using software (http://www.randomizer.org). In the BFR group, 50% of the arterial occlusion pressure (AOP) was used. In the EMS group, a 75 Hz current was applied. In the Low Resistance exercise group, only exercise was performed without any condition. Bench press (multi-joint) and triceps push-down (single-joint) exercises were used in the conditions. In all protocols, participants performed a standardized warm-up protocol consisting of a 5-minute run at 9 km/h on a treadmill and a general warm-up consisting of 3 minutes of whole-body light stretching exercises. Following the warm-up and pre-exercise protocols, grip strength and service speed tests were performed with rest periods.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Crossover
- Masking
- Triple blind (participant, care provider, outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 3
- Model description
- Crossover Assignment
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Blood flow restriction | Active comparator | Other: Blood Flow RestrictionIn the BFR group, 50% of the arterial occlusion pressure (AOP) was used.Bench press (multi-joint) and triceps push-down (single-joint) exercises were used in the conditions. |
| Electrical muscle stimulation | Active comparator | Other: Electrical Muscle StimulationIn the EMS group, a 75 Hz current was applied. Bench press (multi-joint) and triceps push-down (single-joint) exercises were used in the conditions. |
| Low Load Resistance Exercise | Active comparator | Other: Low-Load Resistance ExerciseIn the Low Resistance Exercise group, only exercise was performed without any condition (BFR or EMS. Bench press (multi-joint) and triceps push-down (single-joint) exercises were used in the conditions. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 30 years
- Sex
- Male only
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (3 listed)
- Being healthy
- Male volleyball athletes
- Willing to maintain the intervention for all sessions
Key exclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Being under 18 years old
- Having a chronic disease
- Contraindication for Electromyostimulation (EMS)
- Contraindication for Blood Flow Restriction (BFR)
- Contraindications for exercise
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical Muscle StimulationAlso: EMSEMS will be applied bilaterally to the wrist flexor and elbow extensor muscles using a portable EMS stimulator (Compex Rehab 400, Medicompex SA, Ecublens, Switzerland). Four 2 mm thick, self-adhesive electrodes (5x5 cm) will be placed on the superficial aspect of each muscle group. The athletes will simultaneously receive EMS intervention with a pulse frequency of 75 Hz and a duration of 400 μs (19 seconds rest between pulses) during bench press and triceps pushdown exercises. Bench press and triceps push down exercises will be performed with 30% 1TM, 30-15-15-15 repetitions and thirty seconds rest between sets. | Other | Electrical muscle stimulation |
| Blood Flow RestrictionAlso: BFRThe arterial occlusion pressures (AOP) of the athletes randomized to the experimental group will be obtained automatically with the digital LED display CAC device BFR Unit (Fit Cuffs BFR Unit, Denmark). The AOP pressure device BFR Unit (Fit Cuffs BFR Unit, Denmark) will be used to apply 50% occlusion pressure during exercise. Bench press and triceps push down exercises will be performed with 30% 1TM, 30-15-15-15 repetitions and thirty seconds rest between sets. | Other | Blood flow restriction |
| Low-Load Resistance ExerciseAlso: LL-REBench press and triceps pushdown exercises will be performed with 30% 1RM, 30-15-15-15 repetitions and 30 seconds rest between sets. | Other | Low Load Resistance Exercise |
Primary outcome
Service speed
Time frame: From baseline to the end of treatment at 8 weeks
Service speed will assess by standard radar apparatus (Net Playz Smart Pro Speed Radar, USA) and will record in km/h.
Hand Grip strength
Time frame: From baseline to the end of treatment at 8 weeks
Hand grip strength will assess by hand grip dynamometer (Takei 5,101, Tokyo, Japan) and will record in kg.
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 13 Mar 2025.
- Background: PubMed 39360986Keskin K, Akcay N, Ozmen T, Contarli N, Yildiz KC, Sofuoglu C, Kamis O, Rolnick N, de Queiros VS, Montoye A. Effects of different pre-exercise strategies on jumping performance in female volleyball players. J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 2025 Jan;65(1):59-68. doi: 10.23736/S0022-4707.24.16196-8. Epub 2024 Oct 3.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Undecided
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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.
Neslihan AKCAY, Doctorate study chair
Karabuk 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 Electrical Muscle Stimulation, Blood Flow Restriction and Low-Load Resistance Exercise in people with Volleyball Players and Post Activation Potentiation, run by Karabuk University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
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 3 inclusion and 5 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: under way, not looking for participants, as of the sponsor's last update on 13 Mar 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 Turkey (Türkiye). 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?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
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?
Service speed (time frame: From baseline to the end of treatment at 8 weeks). The study lists 2 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 NCT06874829, 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 Mar 2025.