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This study aims to investigate the effects of low-intensity cycling exercise combined with blood flow restriction (BFR) on maximal oxygen consumption (VO₂max), muscle strength, and muscle thickness in sedentary adult males. Participants will be randomly assigned to three groups: (1) a cycling exercise group performing 40 minutes of cycling at 40% VO₂max, (2) a cycling with blood flow restriction group performing 15 minutes of cycling at 40% VO₂max with limb occlusion pressure at 60-80%, and (3) a control group following a shorter cycling protocol. Muscle thickness, isokinetic knee strength, and VO₂max will be measured before and after the 9-week intervention. The study is designed to evaluate whether short-duration, low-intensity cycling with BFR can induce physiological adaptations comparable to traditional longer-duration cycling protocols.
This study is designed to examine the effects of low-intensity cycling exercise combined with blood flow restriction (BFR) on aerobic capacity (VO₂max), isokinetic knee strength, and muscle thickness in sedentary male adults. Traditional methods for improving aerobic capacity and muscle strength often involve high-intensity or long-duration training protocols. However, such protocols may not be feasible for all individuals, particularly during rehabilitation, periods of detraining, or in populations with limited exercise tolerance.
Blood flow restriction training has gained attention as a promising strategy to elicit muscular and cardiovascular adaptations using lower intensities. The technique involves applying individualized limb occlusion pressure (LOP) via pneumatic cuffs during exercise to partially restrict arterial inflow and fully restrict venous outflow. This restriction is thought to create a hypoxic environment and increase metabolic stress, which may enhance the recruitment of fast-twitch muscle fibers and stimulate physiological adaptations.
In this randomized controlled trial, participants are allocated to one of three groups: a standard cycling exercise group (40 minutes at 40% VO₂max), a BFR cycling group (15 minutes at 40% VO₂max with 60-80% LOP), and a control group (15 minutes at 40% VO₂max without BFR). All exercise sessions are performed three times per week for nine weeks. The LOP is adjusted across the training period to progressively increase the stimulus in the BFR group.
Baseline and post-intervention assessments include measurements of body height and weight, ultrasound-based muscle thickness, isokinetic knee strength testing, and graded exercise testing for VO₂max. The goal is to determine whether low-intensity, short-duration cycling with BFR can serve as a practical and effective alternative to longer-duration exercise programs.
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| Label | Type | Description | Intervention Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cycling Exercise - 40 min at 40% VO₂max | Experimental | Participants in this group perform low-intensity cycling exercise at 40% of their VO₂max for 40 minutes per session, three times per week, over a 9-week period. All sessions are conducted on an electronically braked Astrand cycle ergometer. This group does not receive blood flow restriction. |
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| Control - 15 min Cycling at 40% VO₂max | Active Comparator | Participants in the control group perform cycling exercise at 40% of their VO₂max for 15 minutes per session, three times per week for 9 weeks. The exercise is performed on an electronically braked Astrand cycle ergometer. No blood flow restriction or additional intervention is applied in this group. |
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| Cycling + BFR - 15 min at 40% VO₂max with 60-80% LOP | Experimental | Participants in this group perform cycling exercise at 40% of their VO₂max for 15 minutes per session, three times per week for 9 weeks. During each session, pneumatic cuffs are applied to the proximal thighs to restrict blood flow, with individualized limb occlusion pressure (LOP) set at 60% in weeks 1-4, 70% in weeks 5-7, and 80% in weeks 8-9. The exercise is performed on an electronically braked Astrand cycle ergometer. |
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| Name | Type | Description | Arm Group Labels | Other Names |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cycling with Blood Flow Restriction (15 min at 40% VO₂max with 60-80% LOP) | Procedure | This intervention involves low-intensity cycling exercise at 40% of VO₂max performed on an electronically braked Astrand cycle ergometer for 15 minutes per session. During each session, pneumatic cuffs (10 cm wide, manually adjustable) are applied to the upper thighs to restrict blood flow. Individualized limb occlusion pressure (LOP) is determined via Doppler ultrasound and set progressively at 60% (weeks 1-4), 70% (weeks 5-7), and 80% (weeks 8-9). Sessions are conducted three times per week over a 9-week period. The aim is to simulate the physiological effects of high-intensity training using a low-intensity protocol. |
| Measure | Description | Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
| Change in Maximal Oxygen Consumption (VO₂max, L/min) | Absolute VO₂max will be measured during a graded cycling exercise test using a breath-by-breath gas analyzer. | Baseline and Post-test (Week 9) |
| Change in Relative VO₂max (ml/kg/min) | VO₂max will also be reported relative to body weight using standard calculation: (VO₂max ÷ body weight). | Baseline and Post-test (Week 9) |
| Measure | Description | Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
| Change in Muscle Thickness (Rectus Femoris, Vastus Lateralis, Biceps Femoris) | Muscle thickness will be measured using B-mode ultrasonography with linear probe at specified anatomical landmarks. | Baseline and Post-test (Week 9) |
| Change in Peak Torque (Isokinetic Knee Strength, 60°/s and 180°/s) |
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Inclusion Criteria:
Exclusion Criteria:
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| Facility | Status | City | State | ZIP | Country | Contacts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Faculty of Sport Science | Kahramanmaraş | Onikişubat | 46050 | Turkey (Türkiye) |
| PubMed Identifier | Type | Citation | Retractions |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30531417 | Background | Bennett H, Slattery F. Effects of Blood Flow Restriction Training on Aerobic Capacity and Performance: A Systematic Review. J Strength Cond Res. 2019 Feb;33(2):572-583. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000002963. | |
| 39839525 | Background | Gao Z, Li Y, Zhang J, Li L, Wang T, Wang X, Wang H. Effects of aerobic training with blood flow restriction on aerobic capacity, muscle strength, and hypertrophy in young adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Front Physiol. 2025 Jan 7;15:1506386. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2024.1506386. eCollection 2024. |
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It is planned to share the results of the training so that they can see their own development and the increase in their performance.
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| Type | Includes Protocol | Includes SAP | Includes ICF | Document Label | Document Date | Document Uploaded Date | Document File Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ICF | No | No | Yes | Informed Consent Form: Ethics Committee | Oct 19, 2022 |
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Initially, 30 male volunteers who were not actively engaged in sports were recruited for the study. After applying the exclusion criteria, which included a history of lower extremity injury (n = 4), respiratory disorders (n = 1) and refusal to participate (n = 1), a total of six individuals were excluded in the initial phase. Thus, the study commenced with 24 male participants. Each group consisted of eight participants who completed the protocol and final post-tests were conducted and analysed accordingly. All participants were healthy individuals who did not engage in regular physical activity. The study involved three exercise groups: The Control Group (CG); the Cycling with Blood Flow Restriction Group (CBFRG); Cycling Exercise Group (CEG)
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| Cycling Exercise (40 min at 40% VO₂max) | Procedure | This intervention involves standard low-intensity cycling exercise at 40% of the participant's VO₂max, performed for 40 minutes per session on an electronically braked Astrand cycle ergometer. Sessions are conducted three times per week for a total duration of 9 weeks. This group does not receive any blood flow restriction or external loading. The aim is to observe the effects of traditional low-intensity, long-duration aerobic exercise on VO₂max, muscle strength, and muscle thickness. |
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| Short-Duration Cycling Control (15 min at 40% VO₂max) | Procedure | This intervention involves low-intensity cycling exercise at 40% of VO₂max performed for 15 minutes per session, using an electronically braked Astrand cycle ergometer. Participants exercise three times per week for 9 weeks. No blood flow restriction is applied. The aim of this control condition is to match the duration of the BFR intervention while omitting the occlusion component, to isolate the effect of BFR. |
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Isokinetic knee extension and flexion strength will be measured using an isokinetic dynamometer at angular velocities of 60°/s and 180°/s. |
| Baseline and Post-test (Week 9) |
| Change in Respiratory Exchange Ratio (RER) | RER will be recorded during the maximal exercise test as the ratio of carbon dioxide output to oxygen uptake (VCO₂/VO₂). | Baseline and Post-test (Week 9) |
| Change in Maximal Heart Rate (MHR) | Maximal heart rate will be recorded during the graded exercise test. | Baseline and Post-test (Week 9) |
| Background | Zeng Q, Wang L, Zhang Y, Wei H, He Z. Effects of blood flow restriction cycling training on body composition and blood lipids in overweight male college students. Front Physiol. 2022;12:792756. doi:10.3389/fphys.2021.792756 22. |
| 16339340 | Result | Abe T, Kearns CF, Sato Y. Muscle size and strength are increased following walk training with restricted venous blood flow from the leg muscle, Kaatsu-walk training. J Appl Physiol (1985). 2006 May;100(5):1460-6. doi: 10.1152/japplphysiol.01267.2005. Epub 2005 Dec 8. |
| 24149640 | Result | Abe T, Fujita S, Nakajima T, Sakamaki M, Ozaki H, Ogasawara R, Sugaya M, Kudo M, Kurano M, Yasuda T, Sato Y, Ohshima H, Mukai C, Ishii N. Effects of Low-Intensity Cycle Training with Restricted Leg Blood Flow on Thigh Muscle Volume and VO2MAX in Young Men. J Sports Sci Med. 2010 Sep 1;9(3):452-8. eCollection 2010. |
| Aug 6, 2025 |
| ICF_000.pdf |
| ICF | No | No | Yes | Informed Consent Form: Ethics Committee Turkish | Oct 19, 2022 | Aug 6, 2025 | ICF_001.pdf |