Blood Flow Restriction Training as a Targeted Intervention for Rowers With Back Pain.
Breaking the Cycle of Low Back Pain: Blood Flow Restriction Training (BFR) as a Targeted Intervention for Rowers
Loma Linda University
120 participants
Sep 29, 2025
INTERVENTIONAL
Conditions
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.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria4
- 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 Criteria25
- 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:
- Peripheral vascular disease (PVD)
- History of vascular surgery in arms or legs
- Skin grafts on arms or legs
- Arteriovenous fistula in limbs
- Cognitive or physical impairment that limits participation
- Hypertension or high blood pressure (uncontrolled or undiagnosed)
- Bleeding disorders (e.g., hemophilia)
- Blood clotting disorders (e.g., lupus, factor-V Leiden)
- Past history of DVT or pulmonary embolism (PE)
- Surgery in the past 12 weeks
- Recent limb immobilization (e.g., cast, boot) in the last 4 weeks
- History of stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA)
- History of cancer
- Diagnosed heart disease
- History of rhabdomyolysis
- Diagnosed diabetes
- Sickle cell disease
- History of compartment syndrome
- History of nerve damage or injury
- Any prior complications or adverse reactions to BFR training
- Any other medical conditions that should be cleared by a physician before starting BFR
- Pregnancy(Self-reported)
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Interventions
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.
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.
Locations(1)
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NCT07130812