Research article - (2025)24, 578 - 588
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52082/jssm.2025.578
Enhancing Jump Performance Through Blood Flow Restriction Squat Exercise: A Muscle Synergy Analysis Using Wavelet Packet Transformation
Chenxi Hu1,2,, Ning Du3,1,, Yanfeng Li2, Olivier Girard4, Tao Mei1,5,
1China Institute of Sport and Health Science, Beijing Sport University, Beijing, China
2Institute of Artificial Intelligence in Sports, Capital University of Physical Education and Sports, Beijing, China
3Department of Orthopaedics, Fourth Medical Centre of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
4School of Human Sciences (Exercise and Sport Science), The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia
5Deqing Alpha Innovation Institute, University of Science and Technology of China, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
† The authors have the same contribution and thus share the role of the first author

Tao Mei
✉ China Institute of Sport and Health Science, Beijing Sport University, Beijing, 100084, China
Email: meitao@bsu.edu.cn
Received: 04-05-2025 -- Accepted: 29-06-2025
Published (online): 01-09-2025
ABSTRACT

To explore neuromuscular control during blood flow restriction (BFR) squat exercise using wavelet packet transform (WPT) combined with non-negative matrix factorization (NMF). Fifteen resistance-trained males completed four sets of squats at 40% arterial occlusion pressure. Countermovement jump (CMJ) height and reactive strength index modified (RSImod) alongside surface electromyographic activity from eight lower-limb muscles were assessed before after the exercise. CMJ height and RSImod significantly increased post-exercise (P < 0.001, Cohen's d = 0.45 and 0.34, respectively). Four muscle synergy modules were consistently identified, though primary muscle contributions shifted across movement phases. The tibialis anterior (TA) was the primary contributor in Synergy1, while the gastrocnemius lateralis (GL) dominated Synergy 2, accompanied by a significant increase in gluteus maximus (GM) weight (P = 0.032). In Synergy 3, the rectus femoris (RF), vastus lateralis (VL), and vastus medialis (VM) were predominant, with significant changes in GM and VM muscle weights (P = 0.013, 0.039). Synergy 4 was characterized by contributions from the semitendinosus (ST), biceps femoris (BF), and GM, with a significant increase in VL muscle weight (P = 0.024). WPT-NMF analysis revealed distinct time-frequency synergy modules in CMJ movements before and after BFR squat exercise. Significant changes in activation weights were observed within the 0-250 Hz range (P < 0.05). BFR squat exercise acutely enhances countermovement jump performance by refining muscle synergy and neuromuscular activation patterns, providing novel insights into neuromuscular control strategies.
Key words: Blood flow restriction training, countermovement jump, muscle synergy, wavelet packet transform, non-negative matrix factorization

Key Points
  • Wavelet packet transform combined with non-negative matrix factorization effectively captures time-frequency muscle synergy patterns, offering new insights into neuromuscular control during countermovement jump post-BFR exercise.
  • Acute BFR exercise enhances countermovement jump performance by optimizing muscle activation patterns, without altering the number of synergy modules.
  • Frequency-specific shifts in muscle activation suggest that the central nervous system modulates synergy through adaptive, frequency-dependent control strategies to optimize explosive strength.
  • BFR exercise serves as an effective strategy to maximize lower-limb power, with direct applications in sports requiring explosive movements.








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Enhancing Jump Performance Through Blood Flow Restriction Squat Exercise: A Muscle Synergy Analysis Using Wavelet Packet Transformation
Chenxi Hu, Ning Du, Yanfeng Li, Olivier Girard, Tao Mei
2025(24), 578 - 588.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52082/jssm.2025.578