High Intensity Resistance Training Combined With Blood Flow Restricted Exercise in Elite Handball Players

Department of Public Health, Denmark30 enrolled

Overview

Purpose of the study is: to investigate the effects of 8 weeks intervention of high intensity resistance training(HIRT) combined with Blood Flow Restricted Exercise (BFRE) compared to high intensity resistance training alone. Detailed Description: 30 elite handball players will be randomized into 2 groups of 15 participants each. Participants will be evaluated in the week before and the week after an 8-weeks training intervention with 2 weekly sessions. Based on their baseline muscle strength the participants will be randomized into two groups: HIRT-BFRE or HIRT-HIRT. Participants in both groups will perform a full-body training programme of HIRT. After the Full-body programme, Back squat exercise with low intensity and Blood flow restriction will be performed to the HIRT-BFRE group and back squat exercise with high intensity without blood flow restriction will be performed by HIRT-HIRT. Evaluation protocol includes: muscle strength measurement with 1 repetition maximum of Back squat and knee extension, muscle mass with Dual-Energy X-ray absorptiometry, muscle thickness of the thigh with ultra sound measurement, vertical jump height with linear Encoder, sprint performance with 30m sprint time.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

OTHER

Masking

NONE

Enrollment

Conditions

Hypertrophy

Interventions

Resistance trainingBEHAVIORAL

A full-training programme with high intensity followed by back squat exercise with blood flow restriction. Inflatable cuffs will be placed proximally on both thighs. The cuff pressure will be 50% of individual arterial occlusion pressure and will be maintained during the rest intervals. Participants will perform 30, 15, 15 and 15 repetitions of 30% of 1 Repetition Maximum. Totally 75 repetitions will be performed. 45 seconds rest interval between sets will be given.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 YearsMax age: 50 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Age \>= 18 years * Ds * Minimum of 2 years of resistance training experience * \>\< Two resistance training sessions each week * \>\< three handball sessions each week * No injuries that prevent participants to perform test of maximal muscle strength * No injuries, that affects the muscle strength or the ability to train Exclusion Criteria: * Elevated blood pressure (\>140/90) * Anabolic steroids or prescription-only medical products with know or potential effect on muscle hypertrophy

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Change in Maximal Muscle Strength

Change in 1 RM (repetition maximum) muscle strength in back squat

Time frame: Baseline measurements at week 1, after four weeks of exercise at week 5 and post intervention at week 10.

Secondary Outcomes

Change in Lean body mass

Change in lean body mass assessed by Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry

Time frame: Baseline measurements at week 1 and post intervention at week 10.