High-Load, Low-Load, and Passive Blood Flow Restriction in Competitive Sprinters

This randomized clinical trial will include competitive male and female sprinters aged 16-30 years, recruited through purposive sampling. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of three groups: (A) HL-BFR (70-85% 1RM with BFR during sets), (B) LL-BFR (20-30% 1RM with BFR), or (C) Passive BFR (BFR applied between sets). The intervention will consist of a 6-week sprint-specific resistance training program performed thrice weekly, incorporating resisted sprints, barbell step-ups, hip thrusts, Nordic curls, and bounding exercises. Strength will be measured using 1RM testing, explosive power through countermovement and standing broad jumps, and sprint performance via 10m, 30m, and 100m timed sprints. Subjective exertion will be tracked using the sRPE scale. The study aims to determine whether HL-BFR, LL-BFR, or passive BFR produces superior improvements in sprint performance and neuromuscular strength. It is hypothesized that HL-BFR may yield greater adaptations due to combined mechanical and metabolic stress, though LL-BFR and passive BFR may offer practical, low-impact alternatives.