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Healthy Volunteers (HV)NCT07715786

Blood Flow Restriction During Nordic Hamstring Exercise in Elite Adolescent Athletes

A study testing Nordic Hamstring Exercise and Blood Flow Restriction Nordic Hamstring Exercise in people with Healthy Volunteers (HV), run by Toros University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).

Recruiting

Looking for participants now. Contact the study team or a site below to ask about taking part.

Sites and contacts
Official record
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Trial summary

This crossover experimental study aims to compare acute hamstring muscle oxygenation responses during Nordic Hamstring Exercise (NHE) and Blood Flow Restriction Nordic Hamstring Exercise (BFR-NHE) in elite adolescent athletes. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 14 to 18 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
Conditions the study is for
Healthy Volunteers (HV)
What is being tested?
Nordic Hamstring Exercise and Blood Flow Restriction Nordic Hamstring Exercise
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
24 participants
Where
1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
Study dates
1 Jul 2026to Aug 2027
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 14 to 18 years
  • All sexes
  • Healthy volunteers accepted
  • Child, Adult

Who may be able to join

  • Elite adolescent athletes aged 14 to 18 years.
  • Licensed athletes with at least 3 years of regular sports participation.
  • Currently participating in a regular weekly training program.
  • Physically able to complete the Nordic Hamstring Exercise and study testing protocol.
  • Willing to participate in the study.
  • Able to provide written informed consent.
  • For participants younger than 18 years, written informed consent provided by a parent or legal guardian and assent provided by the participant.

Who cannot join

  • Hamstring injury within the previous 6 months.
  • Lower extremity surgery within the previous 6 months.
  • Current lower extremity pain or musculoskeletal injury that may interfere with exercise performance.
  • Cardiovascular, vascular, neurological, or other medical conditions that may contraindicate blood flow restriction exercise.
  • Presence of skin lesions or conditions preventing placement of the blood flow restriction cuff or MOXY sensor.
  • Inability to complete either exercise condition or follow the 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.

İdil Ünlü, Assist. Prof. Dr. contact

+90 506 515 66 22

idil.unlu@toros.edu.tr

Turkey (Türkiye)1 site, 1 recruiting
  • Adana Olympic Preparation Center

    Adana

    Burçin Uğur, PHD, +90 507 772 17 72, burcnugur@yahoo.com

    Recruiting

Other trials in Turkey (Türkiye)

About this study

Official title: Comparison of Hamstring Muscle Oxygenation Responses During Nordic Hamstring Exercise and Blood Flow Restriction Nordic Hamstring Exercise in Elite Adolescent Athletes: A Crossover Experimental Study

This crossover experimental study aims to compare acute hamstring muscle oxygenation responses during Nordic Hamstring Exercise (NHE) and Blood Flow Restriction Nordic Hamstring Exercise (BFR-NHE) in elite adolescent athletes. Participants will complete both exercise conditions in a randomized order separated by a 7-day washout period. Muscle oxygen saturation will be assessed using near-infrared spectroscopy (MOXY), together with total hemoglobin responses, blood lactate concentration, perceived exertion, and exercise performance variables. The findings may improve understanding of the physiological effects of blood flow restriction during eccentric hamstring exercise in adolescent athletes.

Read the detailed description

Hamstring muscles play a crucial role in sprinting, jumping, change-of-direction movements, and other high-intensity athletic activities. Nordic Hamstring Exercise (NHE) is one of the most effective eccentric strengthening exercises for improving hamstring function and reducing the risk of hamstring strain injuries. Recently, blood flow restriction (BFR) training has gained increasing attention because it may enhance metabolic stress and alter muscle oxygenation responses during exercise. However, evidence regarding the acute physiological effects of combining BFR with Nordic Hamstring Exercise in elite adolescent athletes remains limited.

This study aims to compare hamstring muscle oxygenation responses during conventional Nordic Hamstring Exercise and Blood Flow Restriction Nordic Hamstring Exercise in elite adolescent athletes. A prospective crossover experimental design will be used, allowing each participant to complete both exercise conditions and serve as his or her own control. The order of the interventions will be randomized, and the two testing sessions will be separated by a 7-day washout period to minimize potential carryover effects.

Elite adolescent athletes aged 14-18 years who have participated in regular training for at least three years will be recruited. During each testing session, hamstring muscle oxygen saturation (SmO₂) and total hemoglobin (tHb) responses will be continuously monitored using wearable near-infrared spectroscopy (MOXY). Measurements will include baseline SmO₂, minimum SmO₂, delta SmO₂, recovery SmO₂, baseline total hemoglobin, peak total hemoglobin, and delta total hemoglobin. Blood lactate concentration, rating of perceived exertion using the Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion Scale, exercise performance variables, and post-exercise symptoms such as muscle soreness and fatigue will also be recorded.

Nordic Hamstring Exercise will be performed according to a standardized protocol under physiotherapist supervision. During the Blood Flow Restriction Nordic Hamstring Exercise condition, the same exercise protocol will be performed while individualized blood flow restriction is applied to the proximal lower extremity using a pneumatic cuff. The cuff pressure will be individualized based on participant tolerance and safety, and the intervention will be discontinued immediately if any adverse symptoms occur.

The primary objective is to determine whether blood flow restriction alters acute hamstring muscle oxygenation responses during Nordic Hamstring Exercise. Secondary objectives include comparing total hemoglobin responses, blood lactate concentration, perceived exertion, exercise performance, and post-exercise recovery between the two exercise conditions. The findings of this study are expected to improve understanding of the physiological mechanisms of blood flow restriction during eccentric hamstring exercise and provide evidence for its safe and effective use in adolescent athletic populations.

Being tested
Nordic Hamstring Exercise, Blood Flow Restriction Nordic Hamstring Exercise
Keywords
Nordic Hamstring Exercise, Blood Flow Restriction, Elite Adolescent Athletes, Muscle Oxygenation

What participants receive

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

  • Nordic Hamstring ExerciseOther

    Participants will perform a standardized Nordic Hamstring Exercise protocol under physiotherapist supervision. From a kneeling position with the ankles stabilized, participants will lower the trunk forward in a controlled manner while maintaining alignment of the trunk and hips.

  • Blood Flow Restriction Nordic Hamstring ExerciseOther

    Participants will perform the same standardized Nordic Hamstring Exercise protocol while individualized blood flow restriction is applied using a pneumatic cuff positioned on the proximal lower extremity.

Study groups in NCT07715786
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
BFR NHE-NHEExperimentalParticipants randomized to this sequence will perform conventional Nordic Hamstring Exercise during the first testing session. Following a 7-day washout period, they will perform Nordic Hamstring Exercise with blood flow restriction during the second testing session.
Receives: Other: Nordic Hamstring Exercise; Other: Blood Flow Restriction Nordic Hamstring Exercise
NHE-BFR NHEExperimentalParticipants randomized to this sequence will perform Nordic Hamstring Exercise with blood flow restriction during the first testing session. Following a 7-day washout period, they will perform conventional Nordic Hamstring Exercise during the second testing session.
Receives: Other: Nordic Hamstring Exercise; Other: Blood Flow Restriction Nordic Hamstring Exercise

What is being measured

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

  1. Difference in Change in Hamstring Muscle Oxygen Saturation (Delta SmO₂) Between NHE and BFR-NHE

    Hamstring muscle oxygen saturation will be continuously measured using a wearable near-infrared spectroscopy device (MOXY) during conventional Nordic Hamstring Exercise and Blood Flow Restriction Nordic Hamstring Exercise. Delta SmO₂ will be calculated as the difference between baseline SmO₂ and the minimum SmO₂ recorded during each exercise condition. Greater negative change indicates greater muscle deoxygenation.

    Measured: During each exercise session, with the two sessions separated by a 7-day washout period

  2. Difference in Minimum Hamstring Muscle Oxygen Saturation Between NHE and BFR-NHE

    The minimum hamstring muscle oxygen saturation value (SmO₂, %) recorded during each exercise condition will be obtained using the MOXY near-infrared spectroscopy device. Lower values indicate greater muscle deoxygenation.

    Measured: During each exercise session, with the two sessions separated by a 7-day washout period

  3. Difference in Hamstring Muscle Oxygen Saturation During Recovery Between NHE and BFR-NHE

    Hamstring muscle oxygen saturation (SmO₂, %) will be recorded during the post-exercise recovery period following each exercise condition using the MOXY device.

    Measured: Immediately after each exercise session during the recovery period, with sessions separated by a 7-day washout period

  4. Difference in Peak Hamstring Total Hemoglobin Between NHE and BFR-NHE

    Peak total hemoglobin concentration in the hamstring muscle will be recorded during each exercise condition using the MOXY near-infrared spectroscopy device.

    Measured: During each exercise session, with the two sessions separated by a 7-day washout period.

  5. Difference in Change in Hamstring Total Hemoglobin Between NHE and BFR-NHE

    Change in total hemoglobin will be calculated as the difference between baseline total hemoglobin and peak total hemoglobin recorded during each exercise condition using the MOXY device.

    Measured: During each exercise session, with the two sessions separated by a 7-day washout period.

  6. Difference in Post-Exercise Blood Lactate Concentration Between NHE and BFR-NHE

    Blood lactate concentration will be measured using a portable lactate analyzer following each exercise condition and reported in mmol/L. Higher values indicate a greater acute metabolic response.

    Measured: Immediately after each exercise session, with the two sessions separated by a 7-day washout period

Secondary outcomes (3)
  1. Difference in Rating of Perceived Exertion Between NHE and BFR-NHE

    Perceived exertion will be assessed using the Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion Scale following each exercise condition. Higher scores indicate greater perceived exertion.

    Measured: Immediately after each exercise session, with the two sessions separated by a 7-day washout period

  2. Difference in the Number of Successfully Completed Nordic Hamstring Exercise Repetitions Between Conditions

    The number of Nordic Hamstring Exercise repetitions completed with the required technique will be recorded during each exercise condition. A higher number indicates better acute exercise performance.

    Measured: During each exercise session, with the two sessions separated by a 7-day washout period

  3. Difference in Post-Exercise Hamstring Muscle Soreness Between NHE and BFR-NHE

    Hamstring muscle soreness will be assessed using an 11-point Numerical Rating Scale ranging from 0, indicating no soreness, to 10, indicating the worst imaginable soreness.

    Measured: 24 hours after each exercise session

Timeline

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

  1. First posted20 Jul 2026
  2. Study start1 Jul 2026
  3. Primary completionJul 2027 (estimated)
  4. Study completionAug 2027 (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
Other
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Crossover
Model description
Participants will complete both intervention conditions in a randomized crossover design. Each participant will perform conventional Nordic Hamstring Exercise (NHE) and Blood Flow Restriction Nordic Hamstring Exercise (BFR-NHE) in a randomized order. The two testing sessions will be separated by a 7-day washout period to minimize potential carryover effects. Each participant will serve as his or her own control.
Masking
None (open label)
Enrolment
24 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT07715786
Sponsor's protocol ID
06/101-23.06.2026
Status last verified
Jul 2026
First submitted
13 Jul 2026
Last updated
20 Jul 2026
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
No

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Nordic Hamstring Exercise and Blood Flow Restriction Nordic Hamstring Exercise in people with Healthy Volunteers (HV), run by Toros 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 7 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: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 20 Jul 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 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 İdil Ünlü, Assist. Prof. Dr. (+90 506 515 66 22, idil.unlu@toros.edu.tr), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Difference in Change in Hamstring Muscle Oxygen Saturation (Delta SmO₂) Between NHE and BFR-NHE (time frame: During each exercise session, with the two sessions separated by a 7-day washout period). The study lists 6 primary outcomes in all. 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 20 Jul 2026.

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