Effect of Resisted Blood Flow Restriction

While high-load resistance training is the gold standard for improving muscle quality in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM), individuals with long-standing disease (5+ years) often present with microvascular complications or joint pain that make high-mechanical loads unsafe. Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) training uses a pneumatic cuff to induce metabolic stress-specifically lactate accumulation and growth hormone surges-allowing for muscle hypertrophy and strength gains at loads as low as 20-30% of a person's one-repetition maximum (1-RM).

Intervention Workflow 1. Baseline Assessment Phase

1-RM Testing: Participants will undergo 1-RM testing for lower-limb exercises (leg press and knee extension) to calibrate training loads.

Limb Occlusion Pressure (LOP): Using a personalized pressure system . the investigator will determine the minimum pressure required to fully occlude arterial flow in the sitting position.

12-Week Exercise Protocol Frequency: Sessions will occur 3 times per week on non-consecutive days. Repetition Scheme: Each BFR exercise will follow the standard 75-repetition protocol: one set of 30, followed by three sets of 15 repetitions (30-15-15-15).

Rest Intervals: 30-second rest periods will be strictly maintained between sets while the cuffs remain inflated to ensure continuous metabolite accumulation.

Standard Exercise Control: The control group will perform the identical exercise volume and repetition scheme but without cuff inflation (low-load RT only).

• Safety and Monitoring Glucose Monitoring: Capillary blood glucose will be measured pre- and post-session to monitor for hypoglycemia, a critical safety measure in T2DM exercise studies.

Perceived Exertion: The Borg Scale (6-20) will be used to monitor intensity, ensuring participants remain within a "moderate" effort range.

Primary Strength Endpoint: Change in isometric and dynamic leg strength measured via Handheld Dynamometry and 1-RM re-testing at week 12.

Functional Mobility: The Timed Up and Go (TUG) test and a 6-Minute Walk Test to assess real-world independence.

Balance Evaluation: Assessment of postural sway using the Berg Balance Scale or computerized platform testing to quantify fall risk.

Inclusion criteria

Diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) for at least 5 years. Age between 50 and 60 years. medically stable and cleared for participation in a low-to-moderate intensity exercise program.

Not currently engaged in structured resistance training. Able to walk independently without assistive devices. Berg Balance Scale (BBS) score between 21 and 40, indicating moderate balance impairment.

Exclusion criteria

History of recent cardiovascular events or uncontrolled hypertension. Peripheral arterial disease or deep vein thrombosis. Severe diabetic neuropathy or retinopathy. Musculoskeletal disorders affecting exercise performance. Cognitive impairments or psychiatric illness interfering with adherence to protocol.

Smokers. Uncontrolled diabetes.