Upper Limb Blood Flow Restriction in Handball Players
Spain22 participantsStarted 2024-05-19
Plain-language summary
Introduction. Blood flow restriction therapy involves the use of an occlusion cuff placed over an extremity resulting in a partial reduction of arterial blood flow and total restriction of venous return.
Objectives. To analyse the efficacy of a physiotherapy intervention using blood flow restriction in improving upper limb strength in adult handball players.
Methods. Randomised, single-blind, clinical study. 20 athletes will be recruited and randomly assigned to the experimental and control groups. The intervention of the experimental group will consist of performing an exercise protocol after blood flow restriction. The intervention period will last 4 weeks, with a periodicity of 2 weekly sessions of 30 minutes each. The primary variable will be the strength of the triceps, epicondyle and epitrochlear musculature (pressure hand dynamometer). The secondary variable will be the muscle activation of this musculature (surface electromyography).
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years – 30 Years
Sex
MALE
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* Athletes over 18 years of age.
* Federated in handball at the time of the study.
* No lower limb injuries in the three months prior to the study.
* Signing the informed consent document.
Exclusion Criteria:
* Athletes who have undergone surgery in the year prior to the study.
* People who do not attend at least 80% of the treatment sessions.
* Players who are receiving physiotherapy treatment in parallel to the physical preparation of the team they are playing for.
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Assess the muscle strength at screening visit
Timeframe: Screening visit, within the first seven days after treatment and after four weeks follow-up