The Effect of Blood Flow Restriction With and Without Arginine on Physical Performance and Growth Hormone

University of Mary Hardin-Baylor

Status: Completed

Conditions: Blood Flow Restriction; Arginine; Growth Hormone; Strength Outcomes

Treatments: Procedure: BFR; Dietary Supplement: Arginine; Dietary Supplement: Placebo Pill

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT04079010

57

Details and patient eligibility

About

The current study will investigate the effects of Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) training and L-arginine supplementation on recreationally trained female participants. In particular, it will compare performance outcomes and blood markers among two intervention groups (BFR and BFR+Arg) and a control group (CON).

Full description

The current study will investigate the effects of Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) training and L-arginine supplementation on recreationally trained female participants. In particular, it will compare performance outcomes and blood markers among two intervention groups (BFR and BFR+Arg) and a control group (CON). All group will participate in the same training regimen. The control group will train and ingest a placebo pill. The BFR group will train with BFR and ingest a placebo pill, and the BFR+Arg group will train with BFR and ingest an L-arginine pill. All placebo pills will be Maltodextrin. The performance outcome is leg press 1RM, while the blood markers are growth hormone (GH) and cortisol. This analysis will provide insight as to whether or not L-arginine supplementation in addition to blood flow restriction training improves performance and muscle hypertrophy measure more than blood flow restriction training alone.

Enrollment: 30 patients

Sex: Female

Ages: 18 to 25 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Signed informed consent
• PAR-Q form complete and without contraindications
• Body Mass Index (BMI) of 18.5-29.9 kg/m2
• Stable body weight prior to participation in the study (fluctuation not exceeding 10 lbs. within the past 6 months
• Agreement not to change current diet or exercise program (other than adding the program for the purpose of this study)

Exclusion criteria

• Any diagnosed orthopedic condition that prevents exercise
• BMI > 29.9 kg/m2 or < 18.5 kg/m2
• Affirmative answer to any of the questions presented on the PAR-Q form
• Are currently pregnant or planning to become pregnant during the study
• Currently taking blood pressure medication

Trial design

Primary purpose: Basic Science

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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30 participants in 3 patient groups, including a placebo group

Control

Placebo Comparator group

Description:

Participants will adhere to resistance training protocol.

Treatment:

Dietary Supplement: Placebo Pill

BFR (blood flow restriction)

Active Comparator group

Description:

Participants will adhere to resistance training protocol, while also applying a blood flow restriction cuff during resistance training.

Treatment:

Procedure: BFR

Dietary Supplement: Placebo Pill

BFR (blood flow restriction), plus Arginine

Active Comparator group

Description:

Participants will adhere to resistance training protocol, apply a blood flow restriction cuff during resistance training, and will take the clinically safe dose of arginine prior to training sessions.

Treatment:

Procedure: BFR

Dietary Supplement: Arginine