Low Back PainNCT07130812
Blood Flow Restriction Training as a Targeted Intervention for Rowers With Back Pain.
A study testing blood flow restriction and Heavy load resistance training in people with Low Back Pain, run by Loma Linda University at 1 site in United States.
Trial summary
The purpose of this graduate student research study is to compare the effects of low-load blood flow restriction training (LL-BFR) and heavy-load training (HLT) in high-volume rowers with mild low back pain or recurrent low back pain (LBP), aiming to determine whether LL-BFR offers a safer yet equally effective… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 13 to 20 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Low Back Pain
- What is being tested?
- blood flow restriction and Heavy load resistance training
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 120 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited States
- Study dates
- 29 Sep 2025to Dec 2026
- 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 13 to 20 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Child, Adult
Who may be able to join
- Aged 13-20 years old
- Currently active rower (training ≥3 days/week or 12 hours/week)
- Mild LBP with a low reactivity (<3/10) or recurring LBP within the past 18 months that has affected attendance to team practices/races.
- Able to complete a 2,000-meter rowing erg test
Who cannot join
- Have severe or acute back pain that limits basic movement or requires medical treatment
- History of spinal surgery or structural spine conditions (scoliosis requiring bracing/surgery)
- Have a contraindication to BFR training, identified via BFR safety screening form:
- Peripheral vascular disease (PVD)
- History of vascular surgery in arms or legs
- Skin grafts on arms or legs
Show all 25Show fewer
- Arteriovenous fistula in limbs
- Cognitive or physical impairment that limits participation
- Hypertension or high blood pressure (uncontrolled or undiagnosed)
- Bleeding disorders (e.g., hemophilia)
- Blood clotting disorders (e.g., lupus, factor-V Leiden)
- Past history of DVT or pulmonary embolism (PE)
- Surgery in the past 12 weeks
- Recent limb immobilization (e.g., cast, boot) in the last 4 weeks
- History of stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA)
- History of cancer
- Diagnosed heart disease
- History of rhabdomyolysis
- Diagnosed diabetes
- Sickle cell disease
- History of compartment syndrome
- History of nerve damage or injury
- Any prior complications or adverse reactions to BFR training
- Any other medical conditions that should be cleared by a physician before starting BFR
- Pregnancy(Self-reported)
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
United States1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
Loma Linda University
Loma Linda, California, 92350
Everett Lohman, Dsc, 909-558-1000 ext. 83171, elohman@llu.edu
About this study
Official title: Breaking the Cycle of Low Back Pain: Blood Flow Restriction Training (BFR) as a Targeted Intervention for Rowers
The purpose of this graduate student research study is to compare the effects of low-load blood flow restriction training (LL-BFR) and heavy-load training (HLT) in high-volume rowers with mild low back pain or recurrent low back pain (LBP), aiming to determine whether LL-BFR offers a safer yet equally effective alternative to HLT for enhancing performance and reducing risk of re-injury.
Read the detailed description
Rowers will complete a web-based survey administered via administered via Google Forms for up to 15 minutes. Questions will address demographics, attendance adherence to rowing practice/races, a blood flow restriction pre-screening questionnaire, and the Orebro Musculoskeletal Pain Questionnaire (OMPQ) for LBP. Rowers will participate in a 2000-meter indoor rowing ergometer time trial to assess, technical fatigue, muscular fatigue, and performance. Muscular fatigue will be assessed through the use of Electromyography (EMG) collected via Noraxon Ultium electrodes and sensors on the hamstrings and quadriceps. Performance on the 2000-meter time trial will be determined by improvement of time to completion. Performance will be further assessed through a 1-repetition maximum (1RM) test for squat and deadlifts. Strength and endurance ratios will also be collected assessing hamstrings: quadriceps using an Asani tension dynamometer and abdominal endurance. Rowers will then be split into two groups (exercise and sham) through blocked randomization: light-load blood flow restriction training (LL-BFR) and heavy load training (HLT). Each LL-BFR session will include the following strength exercises at 20-30% of each participant's 1 RM: (1) Squats (Goblet/Back squat), (2) Deadlifts (Conventional/Romanian), (3) Side planks, (4) Plank, and (5) Bird-Dogs. The exercises will follow a 4-set structure: Set 1 with 30 repetitions, followed by three sets of 15 repetitions, with 30-second rests between each set. Participants will report their rating of perceived exertion (RPE) on a 1-10 scale, aiming to maintain an RPE of 7-8; load and occlusion pressure can be adjusted accordingly. The HLT will participate in the same exercises but under a different dosage of 6 sets and 5 reps at 60-80% 1 RM.
- Conditions
- Low Back Pain
- Being tested
- blood flow restriction, Heavy load resistance training
- Keywords
- blood flow restriction
- Medical subject headings
- Low Back Pain
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
blood flow restrictionOther
The SAGA blood flow restriction tourniquet system will be used for each training sessions for the rowers within the light load restriction group. The 4 inch-wide tourniquet will be applied to both upper thighs during the strength and endurance exercises. Tourniquet setting will be determined as the pressure needed to achieve 40-80% arterial occlusion to the extremity (as measured by the SAGA BFR unit). The SAGA units provides a consistent amount of pressure to the extremity throughout the ROM of the exercise. The settings will be determined at baseline and then recalibrated weekly.
Heavy load resistance trainingOther
For the resistance prescription, rowers will do strengthening exercises at 70-80% 1 RM. Exercises will be performed in series following 6 sets by 5 reps, with 120 seconds of rest between sets for each exercise.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Blood Flow Restriction Group | Active comparator | Using blood flow restriction, participants partake in aerobic (rowing) and anaerobic (squats/deadlifts) exercises. Receives: Other: blood flow restriction |
| Non Blood Flow Restriction Group | Active comparator | Participants partake in aerobic and anaerobic exercises without blood flow restrictions. The participants will use heavier loads in the anaerobic exercises. Receives: Other: Heavy load resistance training |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Hamstring and quadricep muscular fatigue assessment via Noraxon Electromyography
Measured: change between baseline and 10 weeks
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted19 Aug 2025
- Study start29 Sep 2025
- Primary completionDec 2026 (estimated)
- Study completionDec 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Low Back PainStudies 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
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 120 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Loma Linda University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Everett Lohman, Dsc, Principal investigator, Loma Linda University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07130812
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 5250411
- Status last verified
- May 2026
- First submitted
- 13 Aug 2025
- Last updated
- 18 May 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Undecided: We are not decided yet.
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 18 May 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Breaking the Cycle of Low Back Pain: Blood Flow Restriction Training (BFR) as a Targeted Intervention for Rowers
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07130812
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 5250411
- Conditions
- Low Back Pain
- Keywords
- blood flow restriction
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 120 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Loma Linda UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 29 Sep 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- Dec 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- Dec 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 19 Aug 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.
The purpose of this graduate student research study is to compare the effects of low-load blood flow restriction training (LL-BFR) and heavy-load training (HLT) in high-volume rowers with mild low back pain or recurrent low back pain (LBP), aiming to determine whether LL-BFR offers a safer yet equally effective alternative to HLT for enhancing performance and reducing risk of re-injury.
Detailed description
Rowers will complete a web-based survey administered via administered via Google Forms for up to 15 minutes. Questions will address demographics, attendance adherence to rowing practice/races, a blood flow restriction pre-screening questionnaire, and the Orebro Musculoskeletal Pain Questionnaire (OMPQ) for LBP. Rowers will participate in a 2000-meter indoor rowing ergometer time trial to assess, technical fatigue, muscular fatigue, and performance. Muscular fatigue will be assessed through the use of Electromyography (EMG) collected via Noraxon Ultium electrodes and sensors on the hamstrings and quadriceps. Performance on the 2000-meter time trial will be determined by improvement of time to completion. Performance will be further assessed through a 1-repetition maximum (1RM) test for squat and deadlifts. Strength and endurance ratios will also be collected assessing hamstrings: quadriceps using an Asani tension dynamometer and abdominal endurance. Rowers will then be split into two groups (exercise and sham) through blocked randomization: light-load blood flow restriction training (LL-BFR) and heavy load training (HLT). Each LL-BFR session will include the following strength exercises at 20-30% of each participant's 1 RM: (1) Squats (Goblet/Back squat), (2) Deadlifts (Conventional/Romanian), (3) Side planks, (4) Plank, and (5) Bird-Dogs. The exercises will follow a 4-set structure: Set 1 with 30 repetitions, followed by three sets of 15 repetitions, with 30-second rests between each set. Participants will report their rating of perceived exertion (RPE) on a 1-10 scale, aiming to maintain an RPE of 7-8; load and occlusion pressure can be adjusted accordingly. The HLT will participate in the same exercises but under a different dosage of 6 sets and 5 reps at 60-80% 1 RM.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Other
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Blood Flow Restriction Group | Active comparator | Other: blood flow restrictionUsing blood flow restriction, participants partake in aerobic (rowing) and anaerobic (squats/deadlifts) exercises. |
| Non Blood Flow Restriction Group | Active comparator | Other: Heavy load resistance trainingParticipants partake in aerobic and anaerobic exercises without blood flow restrictions. The participants will use heavier loads in the anaerobic exercises. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 13 to 20 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Child, Adult
Key inclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Aged 13-20 years old
- Currently active rower (training ≥3 days/week or 12 hours/week)
- Mild LBP with a low reactivity (<3/10) or recurring LBP within the past 18 months that has affected attendance to team practices/races.
- Able to complete a 2,000-meter rowing erg test
Key exclusion criteria (25 listed)
- Have severe or acute back pain that limits basic movement or requires medical treatment
- History of spinal surgery or structural spine conditions (scoliosis requiring bracing/surgery)
- Have a contraindication to BFR training, identified via BFR safety screening form:
- Peripheral vascular disease (PVD)
- History of vascular surgery in arms or legs
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 |
|---|---|---|
| blood flow restrictionThe SAGA blood flow restriction tourniquet system will be used for each training sessions for the rowers within the light load restriction group. The 4 inch-wide tourniquet will be applied to both upper thighs during the strength and endurance exercises. Tourniquet setting will be determined as the pressure needed to achieve 40-80% arterial occlusion to the extremity (as measured by the SAGA BFR unit). The SAGA units provides a consistent amount of pressure to the extremity throughout the ROM of the exercise. The settings will be determined at baseline and then recalibrated weekly. | Other | Blood Flow Restriction Group |
| Heavy load resistance trainingFor the resistance prescription, rowers will do strengthening exercises at 70-80% 1 RM. Exercises will be performed in series following 6 sets by 5 reps, with 120 seconds of rest between sets for each exercise. | Other | Non Blood Flow Restriction Group |
Primary outcome
Hamstring and quadricep muscular fatigue assessment via Noraxon Electromyography
Time frame: change between baseline and 10 weeks
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 18 May 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Undecided. We are not decided yet.
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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.
Everett Lohman, Dsc principal investigator
Loma Linda 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 blood flow restriction and Heavy load resistance training in people with Low Back Pain, run by Loma Linda University at 1 site in United States.
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 4 inclusion and 25 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: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 18 May 2026. 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 United States. 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?
Contact Everett Lohman, DSc ((909) 558-1000 ext. 83171, elohman@llu.edu), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Hamstring and quadricep muscular fatigue assessment via Noraxon Electromyography (time frame: change between baseline and 10 weeks). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
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 18 May 2026.