Key result
Low-load blood flow restriction matches high-load training for improving strength and power in preadolescent gymnasts.
Why the study?
The study was conducted to investigate the effects of replacing high-load exercises with low-load blood flow restriction exercises in a contrast training program on strength and power performance in young gymnasts.
Does low-load blood flow restriction exercise improve strength and power compared to high-load resistance exercise in high-level preadolescent trampoline gymnasts?
RCT (n=15)
Open-label
Matched pair design, randomly allocated
No
Does low-load blood flow restriction exercise improve strength and power compared to high-load resistance exercise in high-level preadolescent trampoline gymnasts?
Low-load blood flow restriction exercise is as effective as high-load resistance exercise for improving lower-body strength and power in preadolescent gymnasts, while providing a greater increase in muscle mass.
Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
Offers lower-load option for youth strength programs; extends BFR evidence to contrast training in preadolescent gymnasts.
To investigate the effects of implementing low-load blood flow restriction exercises (LL-BFRE) instead of high-load exercises (HL-RE) in a contrast training program on strength and power performance of high-level young gymnasts. Fifteen high-level pre-pubescent trampoline gymnasts (national level, Tanner Stage II, intermediate experience in strength training) were divided into two groups to complete the same structure of a ten-week contrast strength training program differing only in the configuration of the first resistance exercise of the contrast sequence. The LL-BFRE group ( n = 7, four girls, 13.9 ± 0.4 y) performed the first resistance exercise of the contrast with LL-BFRE (20%–30% 1RM, perceived pressure of 7 on a scale from 0 to 10). The HL-RE group ( n = 8, four girls, 13.8 ± 0.5 y) trained the first resistance exercise of the contrast sequence with moderate-to-high load (60%–85% 1RM). Before and after the training period, isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP), squat jump (SJ), counter movement jump (CMJ), and drop-jump (DJ) were performed to evaluate the effect of the intervention on strength and power capacities as primary outcomes. Changes in participants’ anthropometric measures, muscle mass, left and right thigh girth, IMTP relative to bodyweight (IMTP-R), eccentric utilization ratio (EUR), and reactive strength index (RSI) were assessed as secondary outcomes. There was no significant interaction ( p > 0.05) between group x time in any power and strength outcome, although SJ and EUR showed a trend to significant interaction ( p = 0.06 and p = 0.065, respectively). There was an overall effect of time ( p < 0.05) in all power and strength variables (CMJ, SJ, EUR, DJ, RSI, IMTP, and IMTP-R). There was a significant interaction in muscle mass (MM) [β = 0.57 kg, 95% CI = (0.15; 0.98), t 13 = 2.67, p = 0.019], revealing that participants in LL-BFRE increased their muscle mass (6.6 ± 3.1%) compared to HL-RE (3.6 ± 2.0%). Anthropometric variables did not present any group or interaction effect. However, there was a time effect ( p < 0.05). Implementing LL-BFRE in place of HL-RE as a conditioning activity in a contrast training sequence might be equally effective in improving lower-body strength and power in preadolescent trampoline gymnasts.
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Sheng-tao et al. (2022) conducted an RCT in High-level preadolescent trampoline gymnasts (n=15). Low-load blood flow restriction exercises (LL-BFRE) vs. High-load resistance exercises (HL-RE) (60%-85% 1RM) was evaluated on Interaction between group and time for power and strength outcomes (CMJ, SJ, DJ, IMTP) (p=>0.05). Low-load blood flow restriction exercises were equally effective as high-load exercises in improving lower-body strength and power when used in a contrast training sequence for preadolescent gymnasts.
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