Skip to main content
OpenTrials
Enrolling by Invitation

NCT Number: NCT07444736

Effect of 8 Weeks of Resistance Training With Blood Flow Restriction on Muscle Strength, Clinical Parameters, Biochemical Biomarkers, and Perceived Exertion in Adults With Obesity

To analyze the effect of 8 weeks of resistance training with blood flow restriction on muscle strength, clinical parameters, biochemical biomarkers, and perceived exertion in adults with obesity.

Enrolling by Invitation

Interested in participating?

Request Info

Key information

Conditions

Obesity & Overweight Behavior Body Weight Motor Activity Nutrition Disorders Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases Obesity Overnutrition Overweight Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms

Age range

18 year–30 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Centro Universitario de Tlajomulco

Tlajomulco de Zúñiga, Jalisco, 45650, Mexico

About this study

Resistance training has been demonstrated to be an effective intervention for improving muscular strength and metabolic profile. According to the available evidence, a moderate-to-high intensity level (60-90% of one-repetition maximum [1RM]) is required to achieve optimal outcomes in healthy adults.

Blood flow restriction (BFR) training, in turn, has emerged as an innovative strategy that promotes gains comparable or similar to those achieved with moderate-to-high intensity resistance training. It has been proposed as an efficient and safe training alternative in both clinical and non-clinical settings . Current findings identify BFR as a promising, versatile, accessible, and particularly useful tool when moderate-to-high intensity resistance training must be limited or contraindicated.

Therefore, the present study aims to evaluate the effects of 8 weeks of resistance training combined with blood flow restriction on muscular strength, clinical parameters, biochemical biomarkers, and perceived exertion in adults with obesity, providing evidence regarding a potentially safe and effective intervention.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Adults aged 18 to 40
  • Both genders
  • BMI ≥ 30 kg/m^2 and < 40 kg/m^2
  • Signed informed consent form

Exclusion criteria

  • Participants who smoke
  • Personal and family history of vascular disease or deep vein thrombosis
  • Clinical diagnosis of hypothyroidism
  • Clinical diagnosis of type 1 diabetes mellitus
  • Clinical diagnosis of type 2 diabetes mellitus
  • Clinical diagnosis of grade 3 obesity
  • Clinical diagnosis of hypertension
  • Clinical diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction or angina pectoris
  • Use of nitrates and calcium channel blockers within 4 days prior to the start of the study
  • Use of anticoagulants
  • Use of beta-blockers or hypoglycemic agents within 7 days prior to the intervention
  • Pregnant women
  • Breastfeeding women
  • Men consuming more than 40 g of alcohol per day or women consuming more than 20 g per day
  • Postural and biomechanical disorders (knee, foot, and spine)

Treatment and study plan

Intervention

Other

The BFR group will perform machine-based quadriceps extension exercises and dumbbell biceps curls involving both lower limbs and both upper limbs. Each exercise will consist of 4 sets of 12 repetitions. Quadriceps extensions will be performed at an intensity of 40% of one-repetition maximum (1RM), and biceps curls at 20% of 1RM. The execution cadence will be standardized to 1 second for the concentric phase and 2 seconds for the eccentric phase. Inter-set rest intervals will be 1 minute. For vascular occlusion, a Carbafix cuff (8 cm width × 68 cm length for the upper limb; 10.5 cm width × 106.0 cm length for the lower limb) will be applied directly to the skin at the most proximal portion of the arm or thigh. The cuff will be inflated to 20 mmHg above resting brachial systolic blood pressure. To ensure partial vascular occlusion, pulse and oxygen saturation will be assessed using a pulse oximeter at the end of each set. Cuff pressure will be released during the inter-set rest periods.

Primary outcomes

  1. Muscle strength

    Time frame: Baseline and after 8 weeks

    Muscle strength (kg): Change from baseline to 8 weeks of intervention. Muscle strength will be assessed using dynamometry

  2. Dynamic muscle strength

    Time frame: Baseline and after 8 weeks

    Dynamic muscle strength (kg): Change from baseline to 8 weeks of intervention.

  3. Arm circumference

    Time frame: Baseline and after 8 weeks

    Arm circumference (cm): Change from baseline to 8 weeks of intervention. Measurements will be obtained using a non-elastic measuring tape in accordance with the International Society for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry (ISAK) protocol

  4. Thigh circumference

    Time frame: Baseline and after 8 weeks

    Thigh circumference (cm): Change from baseline to 8 weeks of intervention. Measurements will be obtained using a non-elastic measuring tape in accordance with the International Society for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry (ISAK) protocol

  5. Maximum oxygen uptake (VO₂max)

    Time frame: Baseline and after 8 weeks

    VO₂max (ml/min/kg): Change from Baseline at 8 weeks, measured using a submaximal exercise test based on the Åstrand-Ryhming protocol

  6. Systolic blood pressure (SBP)

    Time frame: Baseline and after 8 weeks

    SBP (mmHg): Changes from baseline to 8 weeks of intervention

  7. Diastolic blood pressure (DBP)

    Time frame: Baseline and after 8 weeks

    DBP (mmHg): Changes from baseline to 8 weeks of intervention

  8. Heart rate

    Time frame: Baseline and after 8 weeks

    Heart rate (bpm): Change from baseline to 8 weeks of intervention.

  9. Glucose

    Time frame: Baseline and after 8 weeks

    Glucose (mg/dl): Changes from baseline to 8 weeks of intervention

  10. Triglycerides

    Time frame: Baseline and after 8 weeks

    Triglycerides (mg/dl): Changes from baseline to 8 weeks of intervention

  11. Total cholesterol

    Time frame: Baseline and after 8 weeks

    Total cholesterol (mg/dl): Changes from baseline to 8 weeks of intervention

  12. HDL cholesterol

    Time frame: Baseline and after 8 weeks

    HDL cholesterol (mg/dl): Changes from baseline to 8 weeks of intervention

  13. LDL cholesterol

    Time frame: Baseline and after 8 weeks

    LDL cholesterol (mg/dl): Changes from baseline to 8 weeks of intervention

  14. C-reactive protein (CRP)

    Time frame: Baseline and after 8 weeks

    CRP (mg/dl): Changes from baseline to 8 weeks of intervention

  15. Interleukin-6 (IL-6)

    Time frame: Baseline and after 8 weeks

    IL-6 (pg/mL):Change from baseline to 8 weeks of intervention.

  16. Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha (TNF-α)

    Time frame: Baseline and after 8 weeks

    TNF-α (pg/mL): Change from baseline to 8 weeks of intervention

  17. Weight

    Time frame: Baseline and after 8 weeks

    Weight (kg): Changes in weight from baseline to 8 weeks of intervention.

  18. Height

    Time frame: Baseline and after 8 weeks

    Height (cm): Changes in height from baseline to 8 weeks of intervention

  19. Body mass index (BMI)

    Time frame: Baseline and after 8 weeks

    BMI (kg/m^2): Change from Baseline at 8 weeks, calculated by: weight (kg)/ height (m^2).

  20. Body fat percentage

    Time frame: Baseline and after 8 weeks

    Body fat percentage (%): Changes in body fat assessed by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA)

  21. Muscle mass percentage

    Time frame: Baseline and after 8 weeks

    Muscle mass percentage (%): Changes in muscle mass measured using bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA)

  22. Perceived Exertion

    Time frame: Baseline and after 8 weeks

    Perceived exertion will be assessed using the Rating of Perceived Exertion Scale (RPE)

  23. Exercise enjoyment

    Time frame: Baseline and after 8 weeks

    Exercise enjoyment will be assessed using the validated Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale Questionnaire (PACES)

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Centro Universitario de Tlajomulco, Universidad de Guadalajara

Other

Registry information

Important dates

Study start
2026
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
Mar 3, 2026
Registry last updated
Mar 3, 2026

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.