Improving football-related performance parameters: Blood flow restrictive exercise application

Introduction: The blood flow restriction (BFR) method, which is one of the current applications that has increased in use in recent years, attracts attention in terms of its application during different exercise approaches and its potential effects. Aim: The aim of the study is to investigate the effects of BFR applied with low-intensity exercises on the improving of football-related performance parameters and sports injuries by comparing with moderate-high intensity classical training in young amateur athletes playing football at university. Method: Twenty licensed male football players affiliated with Biruni University Sports Coordination Office, were included in the study and divided into 2 groups: Group 1 BFR (Mean age: 22.30±1.33 years), Group 2 Control (Mean age: 22.10±1.79 years). Exercises were performed 2 days/week, for a total of 6 weeks. Sociodemographic information was questioned, muscle strength-endurance (isokinetic dynamometer), power (Vertical Jump Test), aerobic endurance (Yo Yo Level 1 Test), speed and agility (T Test, Y-Shaped Reactive Agility Test), dynamic balance (Y Balance test) was evaluated. In addition, thigh circumference measurement, fatigue evaluations (blood lactate analysis, Borg scale), sportive self-confidence (Sportive Self-Confidence Scale), change and satisfaction (Global Rating of Change Scale-GROC) questioning were carried out before and after the program. Athletes were followed up for 6 months; The frequency and type of injuries and the total number of days lost due to injury were recorded. Data were analyzed with SPSS program, p<0.05 was considered significant. Results: According to our six-week exercise program results, dominant limb flexor muscle strength, hamstring/quadriceps muscle strength ratio, extensor and flexor muscle groups endurance, aerobic endurance, change of direction speed and dynamic balance improved significantly in Group 1 (p<0.05), lower extremity strength, agility, thigh circumference and sportive self-confidence increased statistically in both groups (p<0.05). There was no significant difference in both systemic and perceived fatigue levels of athletes in both groups (p>0.05). The changes in measurement parameters before and after exercise were similar between groups, except for thigh circumference measurement (p=0.026, Pη2=0.247). The increase in thigh circumference was superior in Group 1 compared to Group 2. When the GROC results were examined, satisfaction levels were higher in Group 1 compared to Group 2 (p = 0.022). When the data recorded during the follow-up period was examined, although the number of injuries and lost days was lower in Group 1, there was no statistical difference between the groups (p>0.05). Conclusion: Although the blood flow restriction method in amateur athletes is not superior to the classical training program, although it is applied with low-intensity and frequency exercises, it seems to be an alternative method that can make positive contributions to the improvement of football-related performance parameters and have similar effects to the classical method in terms of sports injuries.