Acute Autonomic Responses During and After BFR Training (NCT07722403) | Clinical Trial Compass
Not Yet RecruitingNot Applicable
Acute Autonomic Responses During and After BFR Training
Portugal48 participantsStarted 2026-10-05
Plain-language summary
The goal of this clinical trial is to compare how the body's nervous system responds to two different types of leg exercise in young and older adults. One type is low-intensity exercise with blood flow restriction (BFR) , where a cuff partially reduces blood flow to the legs during exercise. The other type is traditional high-intensity resistance training (HIRT), which uses heavier weights.
The main questions it aims to answer are:
Does low-intensity exercise with BFR cause less stress on the nervous system during exercise compared to high-intensity training? Does low-intensity exercise with BFR lead to faster recovery of the nervous system after exercise compared to high-intensity training? Do these responses differ between young adults and older adults? Researchers will compare low-intensity exercise with BFR to high-intensity training to see which approach is gentler on the nervous system during and after exercise.
Participants will:
Attend three visits to the research lab Complete a strength test on leg exercise machines Perform two separate exercise sessions: one with low-intensity exercise and BFR, and one with high-intensity training Have their heart rate, blood pressure, and heart rate variability monitored continuously during and after each exercise session
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years
Sex
ALL
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:
* Young adults aged 18-24 years
* Older adults aged 60 years and above
* Willing and able to provide written informed consent
* Able to comply with study procedures and visit schedule
Exclusion Criteria:
* Medications affecting cardiac activity (e.g., beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, antiarrhythmics)
* Tobacco use
* Sleep apnea
* Body mass index (BMI) greater than 30 kg/m²
* Regular exercise training (more than 150 minutes per week for more than 6 months)
* History of coronary heart disease
* History of stroke
* History of oncological disease
* History of major cardiovascular events
* Peripheral vascular disease
* Uncontrolled hypertension
* Diabetes mellitus
* Unstable angina
* Active kidney or liver disease
* Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
* Recent surgical procedure (within the last two months)
* Neurological impairments affecting exercise capacity
* Orthopedic impairments affecting exercise capacity
* Sensory impairments affecting exercise capacity
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
Changes in Time-Domain Heart Rate Variability Indices
Timeframe: Baseline (15-minute seated rest); during exercise (continuous throughout the 30-minute exercise bout); and 30 minutes into recovery (seated position)
Trial details
NCT IDNCT07722403
SponsorEgas Moniz - Cooperativa de Ensino Superior, CRL