Blood Flow Restriction During Nordic Hamstring Exercise in Elite Adolescent Athletes

Overview

This crossover experimental study aims to compare acute hamstring muscle oxygenation responses during Nordic Hamstring Exercise (NHE) and Blood Flow Restriction Nordic Hamstring Exercise (BFR-NHE) in elite adolescent athletes. Participants will complete both exercise conditions in a randomized order separated by a 7-day washout period. Muscle oxygen saturation will be assessed using near-infrared spectroscopy (MOXY), together with total hemoglobin responses, blood lactate concentration, perceived exertion, and exercise performance variables. The findings may improve understanding of the physiological effects of blood flow restriction during eccentric hamstring exercise in adolescent athletes.

Hamstring muscles play a crucial role in sprinting, jumping, change-of-direction movements, and other high-intensity athletic activities. Nordic Hamstring Exercise (NHE) is one of the most effective eccentric strengthening exercises for improving hamstring function and reducing the risk of hamstring strain injuries. Recently, blood flow restriction (BFR) training has gained increasing attention because it may enhance metabolic stress and alter muscle oxygenation responses during exercise. However, evidence regarding the acute physiological effects of combining BFR with Nordic Hamstring Exercise in elite adolescent athletes remains limited. This study aims to compare hamstring muscle oxygenation responses during conventional Nordic Hamstring Exercise and Blood Flow Restriction Nordic Hamstring Exercise in elite adolescent athletes. A prospective crossover experimental design will be used, allowing each participant to complete both exercise conditions and serve as his or her own control. The order of the interventions will be randomized, and the two testing sessions will be separated by a 7-day washout period to minimize potential carryover effects. Elite adolescent athletes aged 14-18 years who have participated in regular training for at least three years will be recruited. During each testing session, hamstring muscle oxygen saturation (SmO₂) and total hemoglobin (tHb) responses will be continuously monitored using wearable near-infrared spectroscopy (MOXY). Measurements will include baseline SmO₂, minimum SmO₂, delta SmO₂, recovery SmO₂, baseline total hemoglobin, peak total hemoglobin, and delta total hemoglobin. Blood lactate concentration, rating of perceived exertion using the Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion Scale, exercise performance variables, and post-exercise symptoms such as muscle soreness and fatigue will also be recorded. Nordic Hamstring Exercise will be performed according to a standardized protocol under physiotherapist supervision. During the Blood Flow Restriction Nordic Hamstring Exercise condition, the same exercise protocol will be performed while individualized blood flow restriction is applied to the proximal lower extremity using a pneumatic cuff. The cuff pressure will be individualized based on participant tolerance and safety, and the intervention will be discontinued immediately if any adverse symptoms occur. The primary objective is to determine whether blood flow restriction alters acute hamstring muscle oxygenation responses during Nordic Hamstring Exercise. Secondary objectives include comparing total hemoglobin responses, blood lactate concentration, perceived exertion, exercise performance, and post-exercise recovery between the two exercise conditions. The findings of this study are expected to improve understanding of the physiological mechanisms of blood flow restriction during eccentric hamstring exercise and provide evidence for its safe and effective use in adolescent athletic populations.