Effects of Blood Flow Restriction Training on Neuromuscular Function and Performance in Artistic Jump Rope Athletes

Blood flow restriction (BFR) training is an exercise method that uses external pressure to partially restrict blood flow during exercise. This method may allow individuals to achieve improvements in muscle function and physical performance while using lower exercise loads. However, the effects of BFR training in artistic jump rope athletes are not fully understood.

The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of an 8-week blood flow restriction training program on neuromuscular function, body composition, physiological responses, and sport-specific performance in artistic jump rope athletes.

Approximately 30 healthy artistic jump rope athletes aged 18 to 25 years will participate in this study. Participants will be randomly assigned to either a blood flow restriction training group or a conventional training group. Both groups will continue their regular artistic jump rope training during the intervention period. The blood flow restriction training group will complete selected training sessions with individualized blood flow restriction pressure.

Before and after the 8-week intervention, researchers will assess changes in neuromuscular function, upper and lower limb muscle strength, explosive power, jump rope-specific performance, body composition, heart rate responses, and blood lactate responses.

This study may provide information about whether blood flow restriction training can be used as an effective training strategy to improve physical function and performance characteristics in artistic jump rope athletes.

Inclusion criteria

• Adults aged 18 to 25 years.
• Current artistic jump rope athletes with at least 2 years of regular artistic jump rope training experience.
• Participants who are able to perform artistic jump rope skills and complete all study-related assessments and training procedures.
• Participants who are physically healthy and have no medical conditions that may interfere with exercise testing or blood flow restriction training.
• Participants who have no acute or chronic musculoskeletal injuries affecting the upper limbs, lower limbs, or trunk.
• Participants who voluntarily agree to participate and provide written informed consent before enrollment.

Exclusion criteria

• Participants younger than 18 years or older than 25 years.
• Presence of cardiovascular disease, peripheral vascular disease, respiratory disease, neurological disease, metabolic disease, coagulation disorders, history of thrombosis, severe varicose veins, severe hypertension, or other conditions that may affect exercise safety.
• Presence of acute or chronic musculoskeletal injuries, including injuries involving muscles, joints, ligaments, tendons, or bones, that prevent safe completion of study procedures.
• Significant pain, severe fatigue, insufficient recovery, poor sleep condition, or other health conditions that may affect exercise performance or participant safety.
• Use of medications, nutritional supplements, or sports supplements within the previous week that may influence cardiovascular function, muscle metabolism, blood lactate response, heart rate variability, neuromuscular activation, fatigue response, or exercise performance.
• Skin damage, infection, dermatological disorders, severe allergy history, or other conditions affecting blood flow restriction cuff application or surface electromyography electrode placement.
• Inability to understand the study procedures or inability to complete required assessments, including physical performance tests, blood flow restriction training, or blood lactate testing.
• Refusal to participate in blood flow restriction training or withdrawal of informed consent during the study.

Exclusion criteria

• 1. Age younger than 18 years or older than 25 years. 2. Presence of cardiovascular disease, peripheral vascular disease, respiratory disease, neurological disease, metabolic disease, coagulation abnormalities, history of thrombosis, severe varicose veins, severe hypertension, or other conditions that may affect exercise testing or blood flow restriction training safety.

• Current acute or chronic injuries involving muscles, joints, ligaments, tendons, or bones that prevent safe completion of study procedures.

• Severe fatigue, poor recovery status, significant pain, insufficient sleep, or other conditions that may influence exercise performance or participant safety.

• Use of medications, nutritional supplements, or sports supplements that may affect cardiovascular function, muscle metabolism, blood lactate response, heart rate variability, neuromuscular activation, fatigue response, or exercise performance within the previous week.

• Skin damage, infection, dermatological disorders, severe allergy history, or other conditions affecting blood flow restriction cuff application or surface electromyography electrode placement.

• Inability or unwillingness to complete study assessments, blood flow restriction training, blood lactate testing, or other required procedures.

• Withdrawal of consent or inability to comply with the study protocol during the intervention period.