2025/03/08 by Lunxin Chen, Zhanming Zhang, Wenhao Qu +4 · 1 voice
Medicine · #Cardiovascular and exercise physiology #Sports Performance and Training #Heart Rate Variability and Autonomic Control
paper · pdf · doi:10.1186/s13102-025-01100-x
openalex publication_date 2025/03/08 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/29
This study investigated whether blood flow restriction moderate-intensity interval training (BFR-MIIT) could achieve or surpass the training effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) at lower training intensities. A total of 33 male college basketball players completed the trial and were randomly assigned to the BFR-MIIT group ( n = 17) and the HIIT group ( n = 16). Both groups performed the 4 × 4 “Norwegian” training method, with the BFR-MIIT group engaging in moderate-intensity training and the HIIT group in high-intensity training. Assessments included the Wingate Anaerobic Power Test, the multistage 20-meter shuttle run test, and tests of jumping ability (countermovement jump (CMJ), squat jump (SJ), and drop jump (DJ)), sprinting ability (30-meter sprint), and change of direction ability (505 test). Post-intervention, both the BFR-MIIT group ( p < 0.001, ES=-1.199) and the HIIT group ( p = 0.02, ES=-0.526) showed significant and equivalent improvements in VO 2max . However, neither group significantly improved peak power (PP) or relative peak power (PP/kg). The BFR-MIIT group demonstrated superior improvements in lower extremity performance compared to the HIIT group in CMJ ( p = 0.007; ES=-0.570), SJ ( p < 0.001; ES=-0.537), DJ ( p < 0.001; ES=-0.805), and the 505 test ( p < 0.001; ES = 1.708). Additionally, across four measurements of the Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE), the BFR-MIIT group reported significantly lower RPE than the HIIT group ( p < 0.05). In conclusion, compared to HIIT, BFR-MIIT can achieve equivalent improvements in aerobic capacity at lower training intensities and perceived exertion while yielding better improvements in lower extremity performance.