An interventional study of blood flow restriction and Heavy load resistance training in Low Back Pain, sponsored by Loma Linda University. Recruiting at 1 site in United States. Open to participants aged 13 Years to 20 Years, including healthy volunteers. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-05-18.
Sponsored by Loma Linda University · Not applicable, Interventional, and Other
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.
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.
2,818 studies on the registry are indexed under Low Back Pain; 482 are open to participants now.
This study's planned enrollment of 120 is above the median of 60 across 2,268 interventional studies indexed under Low Back Pain.
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Of its 28 completed or terminated interventional studies of FDA-regulated products, 23 (82%) have results posted.
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Exclusion Criteria:
Using blood flow restriction, participants partake in aerobic (rowing) and anaerobic (squats/deadlifts) exercises.
Other: blood flow restriction
Participants partake in aerobic and anaerobic exercises without blood flow restrictions. The participants will use heavier loads in the anaerobic exercises.
Other: Heavy load resistance training
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.
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.
Hamstring and quadricep muscular fatigue assessment via Noraxon Electromyography
Time frame: change between baseline and 10 weeks
Plan to share: Undecided — We are not decided yet.
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