Research article - (2026)25, 606 - 616
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.52082/jssm.2026.606
Effects of Blood Flow Restriction Training at Different Levels of Arterial Occlusion Pressure on Body Composition and Athletic Performance in Youth Soccer Players: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Liang Qing1,2,†, Tianyu Zhao3,†, Linjie Wang1, Li Zhu1, Chao Dong1, Jiancheng Liu1, Xiaoming Hu1, Sheng He1, Tingting Zhou1, Wenjing Shan1, Xiang Gou1,, Rizhao Pang1,
1Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The General Hospital of Western Theater Command, Chengdu, China
2School of Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation, Beijing Sport University, Beijing, China
3Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
† Co-first author

Xiang Gou
✉ Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The General Hospital of Western Theater Command, Chengdu, China
Email: 425170089@qq.com.

Rizhao Pang
✉ Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The General Hospital of Western Theater Command, Chengdu, China
Email: 164156247@qq.com.
Received: 05-01-2026 -- Accepted: 26-06-2026
Published (online): 01-09-2026
Narrated in English

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to investigate the effects of low-load blood flow restriction training (BFRT) performed at different levels of arterial occlusion pressure (AOP) on body composition, maximal strength, and athletic performance in youth soccer players. Twenty-four male youth soccer players were randomly assigned to 40% AOP group, 60% AOP group, or control group. Participants in the BFRT groups performed lower-limb resistance training at 30% of one-repetition maximum (1RM) under the corresponding pressure conditions, whereas the control group trained without BFR. Training was conducted three times per week for six weeks. Body composition, back squat 1RM, countermovement jump (CMJ), T-test, and 30-m sprint performance were assessed before and after the intervention. Results showed that lower-limb muscle mass increased significantly in both the 40% AOP group (mean change = 0.55 kg, 95% CI: 0.13 to 0.97 kg, P = 0.010) and the 60% AOP group (mean change = 0.83 kg, 95% CI: 0.37 to 1.29 kg, P < 0.001), with the 60% AOP group showing significantly greater gains than the control group (between-group difference = 1.48 kg, 95% CI: 0.40 to 2.56 kg, P = 0.008). Back squat 1RM improved significantly in both the 40% AOP group (mean change = 6.50 kg, 95% CI: 3.90 to 9.10 kg, P < 0.001) and the 60% AOP group (mean change = 9.25 kg, 95% CI: 6.75 to 11.75 kg, P < 0.001), with the 60% AOP group demonstrating superior strength gains compared with the 40% AOP group (between-group difference = 2.94 kg, 95% CI: 0.20 to 5.68 kg, P = 0.048). CMJ height and T-test performance improved significantly in both the 40% AOP group (CMJ: mean change = 2.07 cm, 95% CI: 0.80 to 3.34 cm, P = 0.002; T-test: mean change = -0.23 s, 95% CI: -0.35 to -0.11 s, P = 0.001) and the 60% AOP group (CMJ: mean change = 2.65 cm, 95% CI: 1.00 to 4.30 cm, P = 0.003; T-test: mean change = -0.26 s, 95% CI: -0.38 to -0.14 s, P < 0.001), with no significant differences between the two BFRT groups (all P > 0.05). No significant changes were observed in 30-m sprint performance across groups (all P > 0.05). This study showed that six weeks of low-load (30% 1RM) blood flow restriction training performed at both 40% and 60% AOP was associated with improvements in lower-limb muscle mass, squat strength, and selected aspects of athletic performance in youth soccer players, compared with low-load training without BFR. While both pressure levels elicited comparable improvements in CMJ and agility performance, training at 60% AOP was associated with greater adaptations in lower-limb muscle mass and squat strength, with no additional benefits observed for 30-m sprint performance.

Key words: Blood flow restriction training, adolescent athletes, muscle hypertrophy, squat strength, athletic performance

Key Points
  • Six weeks of low-load resistance training combined with blood flow restriction enhanced lower-limb muscle mass and squat strength in youth soccer players.
  • Training performed at a higher arterial occlusion pressure (60% AOP) was associated with greater hypertrophic and strength adaptations compared with 40% AOP.
  • Both occlusion pressures elicited similar improvements in jump and agility performance, while sprint performance remained unchanged following blood flow restriction training.








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