Research article - (2026)25, 502 - 513
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.52082/jssm.2026.502
Effects of Quadriceps Strengthening Exercise with Blood Flow Restriction on Knee Angular Velocity, Strength, and Balance in Fencers
Jong-Su Woo, Won-Seob Shin
Department of Physical Therapy, Daejeon University, Republic of Korea

Won-Seob Shin
✉ PhD, PT Department of Physical Therapy, Daejeon University, Republic of Korea
Email: shinws@dju.ac.kr
Received: 21-03-2026 -- Accepted: 06-05-2026
Published (online): 01-06-2026
Narrated in English

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of low-load blood flow restriction (BFR) training on lower limb kinematics during the fencing lunge, quadriceps strength, and balance in collegiate fencers. Sixteen collegiate sabre and epee fencers were randomly assigned to either a BFR group (n = 8) or a general leg extension (GLE) group (n = 8). Both groups performed 6 weeks of leg extension training. The BFR group trained at 30% of 1 repetition maximum (1RM) and the GLE group at 70% of 1RM. Due to dropouts, data from 14 participants were included in the final analysis. Primary outcomes were lower limb kinematics during three defined phases of the fencing lunge, quadriceps isometric strength, and static balance, assessed before and after the intervention. Between-group comparisons of change scores (Δ) were evaluated using effect sizes (Rank-biserial r) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Between-group Δ comparisons revealed small-to-large effect sizes favoring BFR across rear leg kinematic variables in all fencing lunge phases (r = 0.24-0.52). The largest effect was observed in rear leg hip flexion angle during Phase 3 (r = 0.52, 95% CI: -0.01 to 0.83). Significant between-group differences were found in front leg knee flexion angle during Phase 2 (p = .043) and rear leg hip extension angular velocity during Phase 3 (p = .029). Both groups showed significant increases in rear leg quadriceps strength (p < .05), with no meaningful changes in static balance. These kinematic improvements are functionally relevant, as greater rear leg hip flexion and faster angular velocity during the fencing lunge are associated with increased propulsive force and more effective lunge execution in competitive fencing. Preliminary evidence suggests that low-load BFR training may produce small-to-large effects on rear leg kinematics during the fencing lunge and may enhance quadriceps strength, providing a safe and practical alternative to high-load training for improving fencing performance.

Key words: Occlusion training, lower limb kinematics, IMU, isometric strength, postural balance

Key Points
  • Little is known about how specific training interventions affect lower limb kinematics during the fencing lunge.
  • Six weeks of low-load BFR quadriceps training may have produced small-to-large improvements in rear leg kinematics across all three phases of the fencing lunge in collegiate fencers (r = 0.24-0.52).
  • The strongest evidence of a differential training effect was observed in rear leg hip flexion angle during the final phase (r = 0.52; 95% CI= -0.01-0.83)).
  • Both BFR and traditional training improved rear leg quadriceps strength; however, BFR training showed a greater increase in front leg strength (r = 0.28).
  • Low-load BFR training may serve as a joint-friendly alternative to high-load training for enhancing fencing-specific movement kinematics.








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