Recruiting

Pneumatic Compression vs. Blood Flow Restriction

Sponsor:

University of Southern California

Code:

NCT06815367

Conditions

Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness

Eligibility Criteria

Sex: All

Age: 18 - 30

Healthy Volunteers: Accepted

Interventions

Pneumatic Compression

Blood Flow Restriction

Study Details

Brief summary:

Both BFR and intermittent pneumatic compression are purported to decrease symptoms associated with exercise induced muscle damage (EIMD) that cause delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). Blood flow restriction relies on applying pressurized cuffs to the most proximal portion of the limb. Another form of recovery often relied upon is pneumatic compression. The mechanism by which pneumatic compression works is similar to that of a massage, whereby the device progressively increases the pressure on a portion of the limb before releasing and moving further up the limb.The purpose of this study is determine whether BFR or pneumatic compression can be used to decreased DOMS which may indicate enhanced recovery.

Conditions

Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness

Study ID

NCT06815367

Start date

Jan 15, 2024

Status verified date

Aug, 2025

Completion date

May 1, 2026

Anticipated

Primary completion date

Dec 1, 2025

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

Sex: All

Age: 18 - 30

Healthy Volunteers: Accepted

Inclusion Criteria:

  • 18-30 years of age
  • Recreationally active population
  • Women should be on a form of hormonal contraception.
  • No current musculoskeletal injuries or pathologies
  • Must answer "yes" to all PAR-Q questions.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Individuals that routinely train trail running
  • Discomfort when running
  • Deep vein thrombosis
  • Blood clots
  • Cancerous lesions
  • Sensory or mental impairment
  • Unstable fractures
  • Acute pulmonary edema
  • Acute thrombophlebitis
  • Acute congestive cardiac failure
  • Acute infections
  • Episodes of pulmonary embolism
  • Wounds, lesions, infection, or tumors
  • Bone fractures or dislocations
  • Increased venous and lymphatic return
  • Answers "no" to any of the PAR-Q screening questions

Study Design

Enrollment

33 participants

Anticipated

Allocation

Randomized

Intervention Model

Parallel Assignment

Primary purpose

Treatment

Interventions and Outcome Measures

Arms

no intervention: Control

The participants will be asked to refrain from exercise 24 hours prior to and following the exercise. Participants will complete all pre-exercise tests (DOMS, CMJ, MVIC). The exercise consists of running on a treadmill situated at a -10% grade at 9 km/hr (5.59 mph) for 20 minutes. This is proceeded and followed by 5 minute warm-up/cool-down periods.

Those that are allocated to the "control" group, will not receive treatment after the downhill running protocol.

experimental: Pneumatic compression

The participants will be asked to refrain from exercise 24 hours prior to and following the exercise. Participants will complete all pre-exercise tests (DOMS, CMJ, MVIC). The exercise consists of running on a treadmill situated at a -10% grade at 9 km/hr (5.59 mph) for 20 minutes. This is proceeded and followed by 5 minute warm-up/cool-down periods. Those allocated to the "pneumatic compression" group will receive 20 minutes of pneumatic compression at 100 mmHg.

experimental: Blood flow restriction

The participants will be asked to refrain from exercise 24 hours prior to and following the exercise. Participants will complete all pre-exercise tests (DOMS, CMJ, MVIC). The exercise consists of running on a treadmill situated at a -10% grade at 9 km/hr (5.59 mph) for 20 minutes. This is proceeded and followed by 5 minute warm-up/cool-down periods.

Those allocated to the "BFR" group will receive 4 rounds of treatment: 3 minutes will be spent at 100% of resting limb occlusion pressure, followed by 2 minutes of 0% occlusion.

Interventions

Pneumatic Compression

Following downhill running protocol, participants will complete 20 minutes of pneumatic compression at 100 mmHg.

Blood Flow Restriction

Following the downhill running protocol, participants will complete 4 rounds of treatment: 3 minutes at 100% resting limb occlusion pressure, 2 minutes of 0% resting limb occlusion pressure.

Primary outcome measure

  • Counter Movement Jump Height [ Time Frame: Immediately before and immediately after exercise, immediately after treatment, 24-hours post treatment. ]
  • Maximal Voluntary Isometric Contraction [ Time Frame: Immediately before and immediately after exercise, immediately after treatment, 24-hours post treatment. ]
  • Sedentary delayed onset muscle soreness [ Time Frame: Immediately before and immediately after exercise, immediately after treatment, 24-hours post treatment. ]
  • Active delayed onset muscle soreness [ Time Frame: Using a visual analog scale, participants will be asked to rate their level of soreness while at rest. ]

Central Contacts and Locations

Central contacts

Bailey McLagan, MS

323-442-2498mclagan@usc.edu

Locations

University of Southern California

Recruiting

Los Angeles, California, United States, 90033

Contacts

Bailey McLagan

323-442-2498

More Information

Sponsor

University of Southern California

Last update posted

Mar 30, 2026

Last verified

Aug, 2025

Trial information was received from ClinicalTrials.gov and was last updated on 2026-09-10. This information was provided to ClinicalTrials.gov by University of Southern California on 2026-03-30.