Skip to main content
OpenTrials
Completed

NCT Number: NCT05924698

Blood Flow Restriction Therapy Combined With Neuromuscular Electrostimulation in Amateur Female Soccer Players

The objective is to know the effects of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES) and its combination with Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) Therapy in healthy amateur female soccer players.

Completed

Looking for future studies?

Notify Me

Key information

Conditions

Knee

Age range

16 year–28 year

Sex eligibility

Female

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

University of Extremadura

Badajoz, 06006, Spain

About this study

The objective is to know the effects of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES) and its combination with Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) Therapy in healthy amateur female soccer players.

For this purpose, a randomized clinical trial will be performed: 20 amateur female soccer players were distributed in two groups (control group n=10; experimental group n=10). In the control group, NMES (symmetrical biphasic rectangular pulse, 350 μs and 80Hz) combined simultaneously with active exercise in knee extension (75 repetitions in 4 sets, 20% 1RM, 30 seconds rest between sets) was applied. The experimental group performed the same intervention combined with blood flow restriction (BFR) therapy (80% of arterial occlusion pressure). The variables measured were muscle strength, muscle volume and static proprioception.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Be federated in a sports club playing 11-a-side soccer for at least the last two seasons.
  • Be between 16 and 28 years of age.
  • Be physically active players at the time of the study with a regular practice of at least 5 hours per week during the last 2 months,
  • Have been playing soccer for at least 5 hours per week during the last 2 months.
  • Have been playing soccer for at least 2 years

Exclusion criteria

  • Those who presented at the time of the study any lesion classified according to the Munich consensus and diagnosed by a doctor.
  • Those with systemic lupus erythematosus.
  • Hemophilia.
  • Unregulated hypertension.
  • History of pulmonary thromboembolism or stroke.
  • Impaired blood coagulation.
  • Contraceptive intake.
  • Spinal radicular lesions.
  • Previous surgeries related to the circulatory system.

Treatment and study plan

Electrostimulation

Other

Consisting of the use of NMES (biphasic symmetrical pulse, bipolar mode, 50Hz frequency, pulse duration 300 μs at 1:1 ratio) (S82®; Enraf-Nonius BV, Rotterdam, The Netherlands). The self-adhesive electrodes (8x5 cm2 Pals Platinum © type, Axelgaard Manufacturing Co. Ltd, Fallbrook, CA, USA) were placed on the quadriceps muscle. The positives electrodes placed distally on the rectus anterior and vastus externus and negative electrodes were placed proximally on the rectus anterior and vastus internus. The over current program consisted of 8 seconds (s) of work (ON phase) and 8 seconds of rest (OFF phase). The overcurrent program in the ON phase had a rise time of 2 s, a hold time of 4 s and a fall time of 2 s. The intensity of the electric current was increased to the maximum perceived tolerance, achieving a clear contraction without producing fatigue.

Blood Flow Restriction Therapy

Other

To attain partial vascular occlusion, a PTS ii portable tourniquet system (Delphi Medical, Vancouver, BC, Canada) with a corresponding size-specific tourniquet was placed around the patient's proximal thigh. This system allows for precise control of cuff pressure throughout training despite the changes in muscle volume that naturally occur while performing exercises. Total limb occlusion pressure (LOP) was identified by determining the pressure required to eliminate a detectable pulse using Doppler ultrasound. Partial vascular occlusion was achieved by setting the tourniquet to 80% of the LOP. This ensured that venous occlusion was obtained while still allowing arterial inflow and was personalized to each patient despite variations in thigh girth, cuff size, and systolic blood pressure. An Easy-Fit Tourniquet Cuff (Delfi Medical, Vancouver, VC, Canada) was used with the PTS ii system.

Primary outcomes

  1. Muscular Strenght

    Time frame: During the intervention, at day 1

    It was performed using an isokinetic dynamometer (Kineo, Globus, Codognè, Italy). The maximum peak force that the user can perform was measured by means of the concentric-eccentric isokinetic force test. The patient is placed seated on the seat of the machine and with the dominant lower limb, performs 5 contractions with the maximum force, obtaining the concentric and eccentric peak force.

  2. Muscle volume

    Time frame: During the intervention, at day 1

    It was performed by means of the thigh perimeter, using a tape measure. The superior pole of the patella is selected as an anatomical reference point and four segments are marked from it, located at 5, 10, 15 and 20 centimeters respectively (95). Subsequently, placing the beginning of the measuring tape at the mark of the segment in question, the thigh is encircled keeping the beginning of the tape fixed, which will coincide with a measurement of the tape when it is reached. This measurement is taken before the start of the quadriceps work with the knee extension exercise and at the end of the 15 minutes of rest after this work.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Knee joint repositioning

    Time frame: During the intervention, at day 1

    It was performed through the ability to perceive and reproduce an articular angle previously represented and explained passively. The angles are photographed and measured using the SAPO® computer program, by means of the placement of four marked points on the greater trochanter, lateral epicondyle of the femur, head of the fibula and peroneal malleolus. To perform this procedure, the user must memorize two positions, knee flexion of 90º and knee flexion of 135º, taking 3 photographs of each position in both seated and prone positions.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Universidad de Extremadura

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Effects of Blood Flow Restriction Therapy Combined With Neuromuscular Electrostimulation in Amateur Female Soccer Players: A Pilot Study

Important dates

Study start
2023
Primary completion
2023
Study completion
2023
First posted
Jun 29, 2023
Registry last updated
Dec 12, 2023

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

Related clinical trials

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.