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Healthy VolunteersBFR-LUMBEXNCT07182812

Effects of Blood Flow Restriction Exercises on Lumbar Muscle Endurance and Balance in Healthy Young Adults

A study testing Blood Flow Restriction Sit-to-Stand Exercise and Sit-to-Stand Exercise without Blood Flow Restriction in people with Healthy Volunteers and Low Back Pain, run by Mehmet Akif Guler at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).

Not yet recruiting

Opening soon. The study is approved but enrolment has not started yet. Sites may already take enquiries.

Sites and contacts
Official record
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Trial summary

This study aims to examine the effects of blood flow restriction (BFR) exercises on back muscle endurance and balance in healthy young adults. BFR is a training method that involves applying controlled pressure to the limbs with a cuff while performing simple exercises. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 20 to 25 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
What is being tested?
Blood Flow Restriction Sit-to-Stand Exercise and Sit-to-Stand Exercise without Blood Flow Restriction
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
70 participants
Where
1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
Study dates
29 Sep 2025to 30 Nov 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 20 to 25 years
  • All sexes
  • Healthy volunteers accepted
  • Adult

Who may be able to join

  • Age between 20 and 25 years
  • Healthy, without musculoskeletal disorders
  • No chronic neurological or systemic disease
  • No regular exercise program in the last 3 months
  • Voluntary participation with signed informed consent

Who cannot join

  • History of musculoskeletal disease, injury, or chronic low back pain
  • Neurological conditions or regular use of medications affecting balance or cardiovascular function
  • Pregnancy
  • Participation in regular lumbar or core exercise programs within the last 3 months
  • Any symptoms during exercise (e.g., excessive fatigue, dizziness, abnormal blood pressure changes) that may pose health risks
  • Withdrawal of consent or inability to comply with study protocol

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.

Mehmet Akif Güler, PhD, PT contact

+90 542 464 42 09

makif.guler@selcuk.edu.tr

Turkey (Türkiye)1 site
  • Selçuk University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation

    Konya, Konya, 42130

    Mehmet Akif Güler, PhD, PT, +90 542 464 42 09, makif.guler@selcuk.edu.tr

Other trials in Turkey (Türkiye)

About this study

Official title: Effects of Blood Flow Restriction Sit-to-Stand Exercises on Lumbar Extensor Muscle Endurance, Balance, and Physiological Parameters in Healthy Young Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial

This study aims to examine the effects of blood flow restriction (BFR) exercises on back muscle endurance and balance in healthy young adults. BFR is a training method that involves applying controlled pressure to the limbs with a cuff while performing simple exercises. It has been shown to improve muscle strength and endurance even at low exercise loads, reducing stress on the joints.

In this study, participants aged 20 to 25 years will be randomly assigned to two groups. One group will perform sit-to-stand (STS) exercises combined with BFR, while the other group will perform the same exercises without BFR. The exercise program will last 6 weeks, with 2 sessions per week.

Read more

Before and after the program, participants will be assessed for:

Lumbar extensor muscle endurance (using the Biering-Sørensen test)

Balance performance (using a computerized balance platform)

Physiological responses such as oxygen saturation, heart rate, and blood pressure

The purpose of this research is to determine whether BFR exercises improve spinal muscle endurance and balance more effectively than standard sit-to-stand exercises. The results may provide new insights into the use of BFR training as a safe and practical strategy for improving posture, preventing back problems, and enhancing physical performance in young adults.

Read the detailed description

Detailed Description:

Low back muscle endurance and postural balance are essential components of physical health, functional capacity, and injury prevention. Weakness or fatigue in lumbar extensor muscles is associated with spinal instability, poor posture, and an increased risk of low back pain. Similarly, reduced balance control may impair daily activities and athletic performance. Sedentary lifestyles and prolonged sitting are known to negatively affect these functions in young adults.

Blood flow restriction (BFR) training is an innovative exercise method in which a cuff is applied to partially restrict blood flow in the exercising limb during low-load resistance or functional exercises. This technique has been shown to enhance muscle strength, hypertrophy, and endurance with relatively low mechanical stress, thereby reducing the potential risks associated with high-intensity training. While BFR has been studied extensively in the context of lower-limb strength training, its effects on spinal musculature and balance performance are not well understood.

The present randomized controlled trial is designed to investigate the effects of BFR applied during sit-to-stand (STS) exercises on lumbar extensor muscle endurance and balance performance in healthy young adults. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups:

BFR Exercise Group: STS exercises performed with BFR applied to the thigh.

Control Group: STS exercises performed without BFR.

The intervention will last six weeks, with two supervised exercise sessions per week. The BFR cuff pressure will be set at 60-80% of the individual's systolic blood pressure and monitored to ensure participant safety.

Assessments will be conducted at baseline and after the six-week training program. The primary outcomes are lumbar extensor endurance, measured with the Biering-Sørensen test, and postural balance, assessed using a computerized balance platform. Secondary outcomes include oxygen saturation, heart rate, and blood pressure responses before and after exercise sessions.

The study hypothesizes that participants in the BFR exercise group will show greater improvements in lumbar muscle endurance and balance compared to the control group. Findings from this trial will help clarify whether BFR-based functional training can be considered a safe and effective method not only for enhancing muscle performance but also for improving postural stability in healthy individuals. This may have future applications in sports performance, preventive strategies for low back disorders, and rehabilitation programs for populations with musculoskeletal impairments.

Being tested
Blood Flow Restriction Sit-to-Stand Exercise, Sit-to-Stand Exercise without Blood Flow Restriction
Keywords
Blood Flow Restriction Exercise, Sit-to-Stand Exercise, Lumbar Extensor Muscles, Muscle Endurance, Postural Balance, Physiological Parameters (Oxygen Saturation, Heart Rate, Blood Pressure), Young Adults, Randomized Controlled Trial
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 Restriction Sit-to-Stand ExerciseBehavioural

    Participants perform sit-to-stand (STS) exercises with blood flow restriction applied using a pneumatic cuff placed on the thigh. Cuff pressure is set at 60-80% of the participant's systolic blood pressure. Sessions are supervised by a physiotherapist twice per week for six weeks.

  • Sit-to-Stand Exercise without Blood Flow RestrictionBehavioural

    Participants perform the same sit-to-stand (STS) exercise protocol as the experimental group, but without blood flow restriction. Sessions are supervised twice weekly for six weeks, and outcomes are assessed before and after the program.

Study groups in NCT07182812
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Blood Flow Restriction Exercise GroupExperimentalParticipants in this arm will perform sit-to-stand exercises combined with blood flow restriction (BFR) using a pneumatic cuff applied to the thigh. The cuff pressure will be set to 60-80% of the participant's systolic blood pressure. The program will be conducted for 6 weeks, with 2 sessions per week, supervised by a physiotherapist.
Receives: Behavioral: Blood Flow Restriction Sit-to-Stand Exercise
Control Exercise GroupActive comparatorParticipants in this arm will perform the same sit-to-stand exercise protocol as the experimental group, but without blood flow restriction. Sessions will also be supervised twice weekly for 6 weeks, and assessments will be performed before and after the intervention.
Receives: Behavioral: Sit-to-Stand Exercise without Blood Flow Restriction

What is being measured

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

  1. Lumbar Extensor Muscle Endurance

    Endurance of the lumbar extensor muscles will be assessed using the Biering-Sørensen Test. Participants maintain the upper body in a horizontal position while lying prone with the pelvis stabilized. The test duration (in seconds) until trunk decline >5-10° will be recorded.

    Measured: Baseline and after 6 weeks of intervention

  2. Postural Balance Performance

    Balance performance will be evaluated using a computerized balance platform (TechnoBody™ Pro-Kin). Both static and dynamic balance parameters will be recorded. Outcome measures include sway area (cm²), sway velocity (cm/s), and postural stability index.

    Measured: Baseline and after 6 weeks of intervention

Secondary outcomes (3)
  1. Change in Oxygen Saturation

    Peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO₂, %) will be measured using a pulse oximeter placed on the finger. Measurements will be taken before and after exercise sessions, and changes from baseline to week 6 will be recorded.

    Measured: Baseline and immediately after exercise sessions (pre- and post-intervention at 6 weeks)

  2. Change in Blood Pressure

    Systolic and diastolic blood pressure will be measured using a validated digital sphygmomanometer. Measurements will be taken at rest before and after exercise sessions. The change from baseline to week 6 will be compared between groups.

    Measured: Baseline and immediately after exercise sessions (pre- and post-intervention at 6 weeks)

  3. Change in Body Mass Index (BMI)

    Body mass index (kg/m²) will be calculated from height and weight measured with a digital body composition analyzer (Tanita device). Changes from baseline to week 6 will be analyzed.

    Measured: Baseline and after 6 weeks of intervention

Timeline

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

  1. First posted19 Sep 2025
  2. Study start29 Sep 2025 (estimated)
  3. Primary completion30 Nov 2025 (estimated)
  4. Study completion30 Nov 2025 (estimated)

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
Basic science
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Model description
This randomized controlled trial uses a parallel assignment design. Healthy young adults will be randomly allocated into two groups: (1) an experimental group performing sit-to-stand exercises with blood flow restriction (BFR), and (2) a control group performing the same exercises without BFR. Both groups will follow the intervention for six weeks, with two sessions per week. Pre- and post-intervention assessments will be conducted to compare outcomes between groups.
Masking
Single blind
Who is masked
Outcomes assessor
Enrolment
70 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT07182812
Sponsor's protocol ID
1919B012413960
Other IDs
1919B012413960
Acronym
BFR-LUMBEX
Status last verified
Sep 2025
First submitted
14 Sep 2025
Last updated
19 Sep 2025
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
Yes: De-identified individual participant data (IPD) related to primary and secondary outcomes will be available upon reasonable request from qualified researchers after publication of study results. Data will be shared through secure institutional repositories in compliance with Selçuk University ethical guidelines.

Publications

  • Qadah RM, Al-Sharman A, Shalash RJ, Arumugam A. Are accelerometer-measured sitting and physical activity times associated with muscle mass and strength in healthy young adults in the UAE? Heliyon. 2024 May 8;10(10):e30899. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e30899. eCollection 2024 May 30.

    PubMed 38770340
  • Meiners KM, Loudon JK. Dynamic and Static Assessment of Single-Leg Postural Control in Female Soccer Players. J Sport Rehabil. 2020 Feb 1;29(2):174-178. doi: 10.1123/jsr.2018-0072.

    PubMed 30526247
  • Madarame H, Neya M, Ochi E, Nakazato K, Sato Y, Ishii N. Cross-transfer effects of resistance training with blood flow restriction. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2008 Feb;40(2):258-63. doi: 10.1249/mss.0b013e31815c6d7e.

    PubMed 18202577
  • Lee KH, Chon SC. Enhanced Pain Relief and Muscle Growth in Individuals with Low Back Instability: The Impact of Blood Flow Restriction Exercise during Sit to Stand Movements. Med Sci Monit. 2024 Jan 25;30:e942508. doi: 10.12659/MSM.942508.

    PubMed 38268184
  • Loenneke JP, Wilson JM, Marin PJ, Zourdos MC, Bemben MG. Low intensity blood flow restriction training: a meta-analysis. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2012 May;112(5):1849-59. doi: 10.1007/s00421-011-2167-x. Epub 2011 Sep 16.

    PubMed 21922259
  • Demoulin C, Vanderthommen M, Duysens C, Crielaard JM. Spinal muscle evaluation using the Sorensen test: a critical appraisal of the literature. Joint Bone Spine. 2006 Jan;73(1):43-50. doi: 10.1016/j.jbspin.2004.08.002.

    PubMed 16461206
  • Amano S, Ludin AF, Clift R, Nakazawa M, Law TD, Rush LJ, Manini TM, Thomas JS, Russ DW, Clark BC. Effectiveness of blood flow restricted exercise compared with standard exercise in patients with recurrent low back pain: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Trials. 2016 Feb 12;17:81. doi: 10.1186/s13063-016-1214-7.

    PubMed 26867541

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Blood Flow Restriction Sit-to-Stand Exercise and Sit-to-Stand Exercise without Blood Flow Restriction in people with Healthy Volunteers and Low Back Pain, run by Mehmet Akif Guler 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 5 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: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 19 Sep 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?

Contact Mehmet Akif Güler, PhD, PT (+90 542 464 42 09, makif.guler@selcuk.edu.tr), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Lumbar Extensor Muscle Endurance (time frame: Baseline and after 6 weeks of intervention). 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 NCT07182812, which also lists 7 linked publications.

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 19 Sep 2025.

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