NCT06874829

Post-Activation Performance Enhancement in Single and Multi-Joint Exercises With BFR and EMS in Male Volleyball Players

Post-activation Performance Enhancement in Multi- vs Single-Joint Movements: A Comparative Study of BFR and EMS in Male Volleyball Athletes

• Status: Active Not Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 15 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Karabuk University · Academic / Other
• Sex: Male
• Age: 18 Years – 30 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

Investigators used a randomized controlled crossover design to compare the effect of blood flow restriction (BFR) and electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) protocols on post-activation performance enhancement (PAPE) in multi-joint versus single-joint exercises. Participants took part in six test sessions 72 hours apart. In the BFR group, 50% of the arterial occlusion pressure (AOP) was used. In the EMS group, a 75 Hz current was applied. In the Low Resistance exercise group, only exercise was performed without any condition. Bench press (multi-joint) and triceps push-down (single-joint) exercises were used in the conditions.

Detailed description

Participants took part in six test sessions 72 hours apart. All tests were performed between 2 and 4 pm to reduce the influence of circadian rhythms or fatigue on performance. Anthropometric measurements, 1 RM test, and grip strength and serving speed tests were determined before the practice session on the first day as a control condition. On the other six experimental days, players were randomly assigned to protocols (BFR, EMS, and LOW-LOAD) using software (http://www.randomizer.org). In the BFR group, 50% of the arterial occlusion pressure (AOP) was used. In the EMS group, a 75 Hz current was applied. In the Low Resistance exercise group, only exercise was performed without any condition. Bench press (multi-joint) and triceps push-down (single-joint) exercises were used in the conditions. In all protocols, participants performed a standardized warm-up protocol consisting of a 5-minute run at 9 km/h on a treadmill and a general warm-up consisting of 3 minutes of whole-body light stretching exercises. Following the warm-up and pre-exercise protocols, grip strength and service speed tests were performed with rest periods.

Conditions

• Volleyball Players
• Post Activation Potentiation
• Muscle Strength

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	Electrical Muscle Stimulation	EMS will be applied bilaterally to the wrist flexor and elbow extensor muscles using a portable EMS stimulator (Compex Rehab 400, Medicompex SA, Ecublens, Switzerland). Four 2 mm thick, self-adhesive electrodes (5x5 cm) will be placed on the superficial aspect of each muscle group. The athletes will simultaneously receive EMS intervention with a pulse frequency of 75 Hz and a duration of 400 μs (19 seconds rest between pulses) during bench press and triceps pushdown exercises. Bench press and triceps push down exercises will be performed with 30% 1TM, 30-15-15-15 repetitions and thirty seconds rest between sets.
OTHER	Blood Flow Restriction	The arterial occlusion pressures (AOP) of the athletes randomized to the experimental group will be obtained automatically with the digital LED display CAC device BFR Unit (Fit Cuffs BFR Unit, Denmark). The AOP pressure device BFR Unit (Fit Cuffs BFR Unit, Denmark) will be used to apply 50% occlusion pressure during exercise. Bench press and triceps push down exercises will be performed with 30% 1TM, 30-15-15-15 repetitions and thirty seconds rest between sets.
OTHER	Low-Load Resistance Exercise	Bench press and triceps pushdown exercises will be performed with 30% 1RM, 30-15-15-15 repetitions and 30 seconds rest between sets.

Timeline

• Start date: 2025-02-10
• Primary completion: 2025-08-09
• Completion: 2025-10-29
• First posted: 2025-03-13
• Last updated: 2025-03-13

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Turkey (Türkiye)