Blood Flow Restriction Training as a Targeted Intervention for Rowers With Back Pain.

Recruiting now · Not applicable

Conditions studied: Low Back Pain

In brief

The purpose of this graduate student research study is to compare the effects of low-load blood flow restriction training (LL-BFR) and heavy-load training (HLT) in high-volume rowers with mild low back pain or recurrent low back pain (LBP), aiming to determine whether LL-BFR offers a safer yet equally effective alternative to HLT for enhancing performance and reducing risk of re-injury.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT07130812

Run by

Loma Linda University

People needed

120

Starts

2025-09-29

Expected to finish

2026-12-01

Last updated by the study team

2026-05-18

Who can join

Age: 13 and older, up to 20. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Aged 13-20 years old
• Currently active rower (training ≥3 days/week or 12 hours/week)
• Mild LBP with a low reactivity (<3/10) or recurring LBP within the past 18 months that has affected attendance to team practices/races.
• Able to complete a 2,000-meter rowing erg test

You may not qualify if…

• Have severe or acute back pain that limits basic movement or requires medical treatment
• History of spinal surgery or structural spine conditions (scoliosis requiring bracing/surgery)
• Have a contraindication to BFR training, identified via BFR safety screening form:
• Peripheral vascular disease (PVD)
• History of vascular surgery in arms or legs
• Skin grafts on arms or legs
• Arteriovenous fistula in limbs
• Cognitive or physical impairment that limits participation
• Hypertension or high blood pressure (uncontrolled or undiagnosed)
• Bleeding disorders (e.g., hemophilia)
• Blood clotting disorders (e.g., lupus, factor-V Leiden)
• Past history of DVT or pulmonary embolism (PE)
• Surgery in the past 12 weeks
• Recent limb immobilization (e.g., cast, boot) in the last 4 weeks
• History of stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA)
• History of cancer
• Diagnosed heart disease
• History of rhabdomyolysis
• Diagnosed diabetes
• Sickle cell disease
• History of compartment syndrome
• History of nerve damage or injury
• Any prior complications or adverse reactions to BFR training
• Any other medical conditions that should be cleared by a physician before starting BFR
• Pregnancy(Self-reported)

Where it is running

• Loma Linda University — Loma Linda, California, United States (enrolling)

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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