Breaking the Cycle of Low Back Pain: Blood Flow Restriction Training (BFR) as a Targeted Intervention for Rowers
Loma Linda University
Summary
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.
Description
Rowers will complete a web-based survey administered via administered via Google Forms for up to 15 minutes. Questions will address demographics, attendance adherence to rowing practice/races, a blood flow restriction pre-screening questionnaire, and the Orebro Musculoskeletal Pain Questionnaire (OMPQ) for LBP. Rowers will participate in a 2000-meter indoor rowing ergometer time trial to assess, technical fatigue, muscular fatigue, and performance. Muscular fatigue will be assessed through the use of Electromyography (EMG) collected via Noraxon Ultium electrodes and sensors on the hamstrings a…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 13–20 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria: * 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 Exclusion Criteria: * 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: * Periph…
Interventions
- Otherblood flow restriction
The SAGA blood flow restriction tourniquet system will be used for each training sessions for the rowers within the light load restriction group. The 4 inch-wide tourniquet will be applied to both upper thighs during the strength and endurance exercises. Tourniquet setting will be determined as the pressure needed to achieve 40-80% arterial occlusion to the extremity (as measured by the SAGA BFR unit). The SAGA units provides a consistent amount of pressure to the extremity throughout the ROM of the exercise. The settings will be determined at baseline and then recalibrated weekly.
- OtherHeavy load resistance training
For the resistance prescription, rowers will do strengthening exercises at 70-80% 1 RM. Exercises will be performed in series following 6 sets by 5 reps, with 120 seconds of rest between sets for each exercise.
Location
- Loma Linda UniversityLoma Linda, California