The purpose of this project is to compare a minimal equipment training program with and without blood flow restriction (BFR) training to periodized concurrent resistance and endurance training. The outcomes of interest are Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT) performance along with laboratory measures of performance, which include body composition, power, strength, and maximal aerobic capacity (VO2max). Additionally, based on the role of mechanical tension in connective tissue adaptation and the importance for chronic musculoskeletal health, tendon architecture will be assessed as well. Lastly, specific blood-based biomarkers will be analyzed in conjunction with questionnaires to determine the systemic physiological and psychological responses to training. Participants will be randomized into one of three training groups and will follow their respective program for 6 weeks. The three groups are traditional concurrent resistance and endurance training, minimal equipment training, and minimal equipment training with blood flow restriction (BFR).
The efficacy of minimal equipment training programs with an emphasis on resistance training has seldom been assessed and compared to traditional strength training. Common training strategies include traditional high-to-moderate load resistance training and low-to-moderate load field training using minimal equipment. The benefit of traditional CT is likely due to the higher loads relative to 1-repetition maximum (1RM) utilized and overall amount of mechanical stress incurred. It is difficult to mimic this loading with minimal equipment training, which is often performed at low loads relative to 1RM. However, one strategy to improve the effectiveness of minimal equipment training may be the addition of blood flow restriction (BFR) training. Due to the relatively low loads (20-70% 1RM) of minimal equipment training, BFR training not only provides athletes with a novel training modality to elicit hypertrophic and strength adaptation but also to augment recovery as a supplemental low-damage, high-volume training method. The research design will allow for the direct comparison of minimal equipment training with and without additional BFR training to periodized CT with regard to changes in outcomes, in particular, ACFT performance.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
54
Participants will undergo 6 weeks of traditional equipment resistance training
Participants will undergo 6 weeks of minimal equipment resistance training
Participants will undergo 6 weeks of blood flow restriction training
University of South Carolina Sport Science Lab
Columbia, South Carolina, United States
Change in Army Combat Fitness Test
6-event task to assess various aspects of human performance (muscular power, muscular strength, muscular endurance, anaerobic capacity, and aerobic capacity). Tests include 3-repetition maximum trap-bar deadlift, standing power throw with 10-lb ball, 2-min hand-release push-ups, sprint-drag-carry, 2-min leg tucks, and 2-mile run.
Time frame: Baseline and Week 6
Change in muscular power
Assessed via countermovement vertical jump height.
Time frame: Baseline and Week 6
Change in muscular strength
Assessed via 3-repetition maximum bench press.
Time frame: Baseline and Week 6
Change in aerobic capacity
Assessed via treadmill-based maximal graded exercise test with indirect calorimetry.
Time frame: Baseline and Week 6
Change in body mass
Body mass via calibrated scale.
Time frame: Baseline and Week 6
Change in body composition
Body fat percentage, fat-free mass, and fat mass via air-displacement plethysmography.
Time frame: Baseline and Week 6
Change in muscle and tendon thickness
Biceps brachii and quadriceps muscle thickness via B-mode ultrasound and distal biceps tendon and quadriceps tendon via B-mode ultrasound.
Time frame: Baseline and Week 6
Change in blood-based biomarkers
Basal hormonal and biochemical assessments. Cortisol, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, IL-1β, growth hormone (GH), and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1).
Time frame: Baseline and Week 6
Change in blood lactate responses
Biochemical responses to exercise. Blood lactate sampled pre-, mid-, and post-exercise during training sessions in weeks 1, 3, and 6.
Time frame: Baseline, Week 3, and Week 6
Change in training distress
Overall training distress and subscales including depressed moods, vigor, physical signs and symptoms, sleep disturbances, perceived stress, and general fatigue. The Multicomponent Training Distress Scale will be administered weekly.
Time frame: Baseline and every subsequent week through Week 6
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