Effect of Bodyweight Squat Exercise With Blood Flow Restriction on Sprint and Jump Performance in Collegiate Soccer Players

Abstract

This study investigated the effect of bodyweight squat (BWS) with blood flow restriction (BFR) exercise on sprint and jump performance in collegiate male soccer players. Twenty-four male collegiate soccer players (age: 19.3±1.0 years; height: 178.8±5.8 cm; body mass: 73.5±10.7 kg) were randomly divided equally into BFR or control groups. The BFR group performed BWS with BFR, while the Control group performed BWS without BFR 3x/week for eight weeks on nonconsecutive days. Both groups performed BWS for 30-15-15-15 repetitions with 30-second rest between sets (with continuous BFR pressure between sets). Limb occlusion pressure (LOP) was measured in a supine position after 10 min of passive rest by the automated device. Progressive overload was achieved by increasing LOP % weekly. The pressure was set at 60% LOP for the first four weeks and then was increased to 70% LOP for weeks 5 and 6 and then to 80% LOP for weeks 7 and 8. Countermovement jump (CMJ) and 30m sprint performance were assessed before and after the exercise program. No statistically significant differences between groups were identified. Both groups significantly increased sprint and CMJ performance (p<0.05). BFR and control groups increased jumping performance by 7% (ES: 0.55) and 2% (ES: 0.13), respectively. As for sprint performance, BFR and control groups increased by 5% (ES: 1.53) and 3.5% (ES: 1.14), respectively. In conclusion, the BFR group showed a larger effect size for sprint performance, suggesting that BFR may have a moderate to large effect on performance.

Keywords

• Blood flow restriction
• Body weight exercise
• KAATSU
• Resistance training
• Occlusion training
• Squat

References

1. Abe, T., Kawamoto, K., Yasuda, T., CF, K., Midorikawa, T., & Sato, Y. (2005). Eight days KAATSU-resistance training improved sprint but not jump performance in collegiate male track and field athletes. International Journal of KAATSU Training Research, 1(1), 19-23.
2. Behm, D. G., & Chaouachi, A. (2011). A review of the acute effects of static and dynamic stretching on performance. European Journal of Applied Physiology, 111(11), 2633-2651. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-011-1879-2
3. Behringer, M., Behlau, D., Montag, J. C., McCourt, M. L., & Mester, J. (2017). Low-intensity sprint training with blood flow restriction improves 100-m dash. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research, 31(9), 2462-2472.
4. Bjørnsen, T., Wernbom, M., Kirketeig, A., Paulsen, G., Samnøy, L., Bækken, L., Cameron-Smith, D., Berntsen, S., & Raastad, T. (2019). Type 1 Muscle Fiber Hypertrophy after Blood Flow–restricted Training in Powerlifters. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 51(2), 288-298. https://doi.org/10.1249/mss.0000000000001775
5. Bowman, E. N., Elshaar, R., Milligan, H., Jue, G., Mohr, K., Brown, P., Watanabe, D. M., & Limpisvasti, O. (2020). Upper-extremity blood flow restriction: the proximal, distal, and contralateral effects—a randomized controlled trial. Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery, 29(6), 1267-1274. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jse.2020.02.003
6. Burgomaster, K. A., Moore, D. R., Schofield, L. M., Phillips, S. M., Sale, D. G., & Gibala, M. J. (2003). Resistance training with vascular occlusion: metabolic adaptations in human muscle. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 35(7), 1203-1208.
7. Centner, C., Zdzieblik, D., Roberts, L., Gollhofer, A., & König, D. (2019). Effects of Blood Flow Restriction Training with Protein Supplementation on Muscle Mass And Strength in Older Men. Journal of Sports Science & Medicine, 18(3), 471-478.
8. Chen, Y.-T., Hsieh, Y.-Y., Ho, J.-Y., & Lin, J.-C. (2021). Effects of running exercise combined with blood flow restriction on strength and sprint performance. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 35(11), 3090-3096. https://doi.org/10.1519/jsc.0000000000003313

9. Cohen, J. (1988). Statistical Power Analysis for the Behavioral Sciences (2nd ed.). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203771587
10. Cook, C. J., Kilduff, L. P., & Beaven, C. M. (2014). Improving strength and power in trained athletes with 3 weeks of occlusion training. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 9(1), 166-172.
11. Dancy, M. E., Alexander, A. S., Abbas, M. J., Rolnick, N., Alder, K. D., Lu, Y., & Okoroha, K. R. (2023). No Differences in Exercise Performance, Perceptual Response, or Safety Were Observed Among 3 Blood Flow Restriction Devices. Arthrosc Sports Med Rehabil, 5(6), 100822. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.asmr.2023.100822
12. de Queiros, V. S., Rolnick, N., Wilde, P., de Melo, A., Cabral, B. G. A. T., & Dantas, P. M. S. (2023). Measuring arterial occlusion pressure for training with blood flow restriction: a scoping review and recommendations for measurement. Sport Sci Health. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11332-023-01135-y
13. Doma, K., Leicht, A. S., Boullosa, D., & Woods, C. T. (2020). Lunge exercises with blood-flow restriction induces post-activation potentiation and improves vertical jump performance. European Journal of Applied Physiology, 120(3), 687-695. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-020-04308-6
14. Ewoud, J., Nicholas, R., Evi, W., Lenka, S., Robbe, C., Nele, A., Erik, W., & Joke, S. (2023). Investigating the autoregulation of applied blood flow restriction training pressures in healthy, physically active adults: an intervention study evaluating acute training responses and safety. British Journal of Sports Medicine, bjsports-2022-106069. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2022-106069
15. Fabero-Garrido, R., Gragera-Vela, M., del Corral, T., Izquierdo-García, J., Plaza-Manzano, G., & López-de-Uralde-Villanueva, I. (2022). Effects of Low-Load Blood Flow Restriction Resistance Training on Muscle Strength and Hypertrophy Compared with Traditional Resistance Training in Healthy Adults Older Than 60 Years: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 11(24), 7389. https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/11/24/7389
16. Grønfeldt, B. M., Lindberg Nielsen, J., Mieritz, R. M., Lund, H., & Aagaard, P. (2020). Effect of blood-flow restricted vs heavy-load strength training on muscle strength: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Scand J Med Sci Sports 30(5), 837-848. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1111/sms.13632
17. Haff, G. G., & Triplett, N. T. (2016). Essentials of Strength Training and Conditioning (G. G. Haff & N. T. Triplett, Eds. 4th ed.). Human Kinetics.
18. Horiuchi, M., Endo, J., Sato, T., & Okita, K. (2018). Jump training with blood flow restriction has no effect on jump performance. Biology of Sport, 35(4), 343.
19. Hughes, L., Rosenblatt, B., Gissane, C., Paton, B., & Patterson, S. D. (2018). Interface pressure, perceptual, and mean arterial pressure responses to different blood flow restriction systems. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports, 28(7), 1757-1765. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1111/sms.13092
20. Hughes, L., Rosenblatt, B., Haddad, F., Gissane, C., McCarthy, D., Clarke, T., Ferris, G., Dawes, J., Paton, B., & Patterson, S. D. (2019). Comparing the Effectiveness of Blood Flow Restriction and Traditional Heavy Load Resistance Training in the Post-Surgery Rehabilitation of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Patients: A UK National Health Service Randomised Controlled Trial. Sports Medicine, 49(11), 1787-1805. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-019-01137-2
21. Kamiş, O., Gürses, V. V., Şendur, H. N., Altunsoy, M., Pekel, H. A., Yıldırım, E., & Aydos, L. (2024). Low-Load Resistance Exercise With Blood Flow Restriction Versus High-Load Resistance Exercise on Hamstring Muscle Adaptations in Recreationally Trained Men. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research, 38(10), e541-e552. https://doi.org/10.1519/jsc.0000000000004870
22. Korkmaz, E., Dönmez, G., Uzuner, K., Babayeva, N., Torgutalp, Ş. Ş., & Özçakar, L. (2022). Effects of blood flow restriction training on muscle strength and architecture. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 36(5), 1396-1403. https://doi.org/10.1519/jsc.0000000000003612
23. Loenneke, J. P., Wilson, J. M., Marín, P. J., Zourdos, M. C., & Bemben, M. G. (2012). Low intensity blood flow restriction training: a meta-analysis. European Journal of Applied Physiology, 112(5), 1849-1859.
24. Madarame, H., Neya, M., Ochi, E., Nakazato, K., Sato, Y., & Ishii, N. (2008). Cross-transfer effects of resistance training with blood flow restriction. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 40(2), 258-263. https://doi.org/10.1249/mss.0b013e31815c6d7e
25. Madarame, H., Ochi, E., Tomioka, Y., Nakazato, K., & Ishii, N. (2011). Blood flow-restricted training does not improve jump performance in untrained young men. Acta Physiologica Hungarica, 98(4), 465-471. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1556/aphysiol.98.2011.4.10
26. Manimmanakorn, A., Hamlin, M. J., Ross, J. J., Taylor, R., & Manimmanakorn, N. (2013). Effects of low-load resistance training combined with blood flow restriction or hypoxia on muscle function and performance in netball athletes. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 16(4), 337-342.
27. Moore, D. R., Burgomaster, K. A., Schofield, L. M., Gibala, M. J., Sale, D. G., & Phillips, S. M. (2004). Neuromuscular adaptations in human muscle following low intensity resistance training with vascular occlusion. European Journal of Applied Physiology, 92(4), 399-406. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-004-1072-y
28. Pagaduan, J., Pojskic, H., Uzicanin, E., & Babajic, F. (2012). Effect of various warm-up protocols on jump performance in college football players. Journal of Human Kinetics, 35(1), 127-132.
29. Patterson, S. D., Hughes, L., Warmington, S., Burr, J., Scott, B. R., Owens, J., Abe, T., Nielsen, J. L., Libardi, C. A., Laurentino, G., Neto, G. R., Brandner, C., Martin-Hernandez, J., & Loenneke, J. (2019). Blood Flow Restriction Exercise: Considerations of Methodology, Application, and Safety [Review]. Frontiers in Physiology, 10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2019.00533
30. Ratamess, N., Alvar, B., Evetoch, T., Housh, T., Kibler, W., Kraemer, W., & Triplett, N. (2009). American College of Sports Medicine: Progression models in resistance training for healthy adults: Position stand. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 41(3), 687-708.
31. Rolnick, N., Kimbrell, K., Cerqueira, M. S., Weatherford, B., & Brandner, C. (2021). Perceived barriers to blood flow restriction training [Review]. Front Rehabil Sci, 2(14). https://doi.org/10.3389/fresc.2021.697082
32. Rolnick, N., Kimbrell, K., & de Queiros, V. (2023). Beneath the cuff: Often overlooked and under-reported blood flow restriction device features and their potential impact on practice—A review of the current state of the research [Review]. Frontiers in Physiology, 14. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2023.1089065
33. Schoenfeld, B. J., Peterson, M. D., Ogborn, D., Contreras, B., & Sonmez, G. T. (2015). Effects of Low- vs. High-Load Resistance Training on Muscle Strength and Hypertrophy in Well-Trained Men. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research, 29(10), 2954-2963. https://doi.org/10.1519/jsc.0000000000000958
34. Scott, B. R. (2014). Using blood flow restriction strategies to manage training stress for athletes. Journal of Australian strength and conditioning, 22(6), 84-90.
35. Scott, B. R., Loenneke, J. P., Slattery, K. M., & Dascombe, B. J. (2016). Blood flow restricted exercise for athletes: A review of available evidence. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 19(5), 360-367. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsams.2015.04.014
36. Scott, B. R., Peiffer, J. J., & Goods, P. S. R. (2017). The Effects of Supplementary Low-Load Blood Flow Restriction Training on Morphological and Performance-Based Adaptations in Team Sport Athletes. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research, 31(8), 2147-2154. https://doi.org/10.1519/jsc.0000000000001671
37. Spranger, M. D., Krishnan, A. C., Levy, P. D., O'Leary, D. S., & Smith, S. A. (2015). Blood flow restriction training and the exercise pressor reflex: a call for concern. American Journal of Physiology-Heart and Circulatory Physiology, 309(9), H1440-H1452. https://journals.physiology.org/doi/pdf/10.1152/ajpheart.00208.2015
38. Takarada, Y., Sato, Y., & Ishii, N. (2002). Effects of resistance exercise combined with vascular occlusion on muscle function in athletes. European Journal of Applied Physiology, 86(4), 308-314. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs00421-001-0561-5
39. Takarada, Y., Takazawa, H., Sato, Y., Takebayashi, S., Tanaka, Y., & Ishii, N. (2000). Effects of resistance exercise combined with moderate vascular occlusion on muscular function in humans. Journal of Applied Physiology, 88(6), 2097-2106. https://doi.org/10.1152/jappl.2000.88.6.2097
40. Wang, J., Mogensen, A.-M. G., Thybo, F., Brandbyge, M., Brorson, J., Hall, G. v., Agergaard, J., Paoli, F. V. d., Miller, B. F., Bøtker, H. E., Farup, J., & Vissing, K. (2023). Low-load blood flow-restricted resistance exercise produces fiber type-independent hypertrophy and improves muscle functional capacity in older individuals. Journal of Applied Physiology, 134(4), 1047-1062. https://doi.org/10.1152/japplphysiol.00789.2022
41. West, B. T., Welch, K. B., & Galecki, A. T. (2007). Linear mixed models : a practical guide using statistical software. Chapman & Hall/CRC. Publisher description http://www.loc.gov/catdir/enhancements/fy0647/2006045440-d.html
42. Wortman, R. J., Brown, S. M., Savage-Elliott, I., Finley, Z. J., & Mulcahey, M. K. (2021). Blood flow restriction training for athletes: a systematic review. American Journal of Sports Medicine, 49(7), 1938-1944. https://doi.org/10.1177/0363546520964454
43. Yamanaka, T., Farley, R. S., & Caputo, J. L. (2012). Occlusion training increases muscular strength in division IA football players. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research, 26(9), 2523-2529.
44. Yasuda, T., Ogasawara, R., Sakamaki, M., Ozaki, H., Sato, Y., & Abe, T. (2011). Combined effects of low-intensity blood flow restriction training and high-intensity resistance training on muscle strength and size. European Journal of Applied Physiology, 111(10), 2525-2533. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-011-1873-8
45. Yıldız, M., & Fidan, U. (2020). The Reliability and Validity of the Fitjump Photoelectric Cell System for Determining Vertical Jump Height. Measurement in Physical Education and Exercise Science, 24(1), 56-64. https://doi.org/10.1080/1091367X.2019.1673394