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Blood Flow Restriction Combined With Aerobic or Resistance Exercise in Heart Failure
Sponsor: Biruni University
Summary
The aim of this study is to compare the clinical effects of aerobic and resistance exercise modalities combined with blood flow restriction in patients with stable heart failure, and to determine the most effective, feasible, and evidence-based rehabilitation approach. In individuals with heart failure, limited exercise tolerance increases the importance of training strategies that can induce high physiological adaptations with low mechanical loads. In this context, exercise interventions combined with blood flow restriction have attracted increasing attention due to their low-intensity nature and potential clinical benefits. This study is designed as a prospective, parallel-group, randomized controlled clinical trial to be conducted in 40 patients diagnosed with stable heart failure. Participants will be randomized into two groups: a blood flow restriction- combined aerobic exercise group and a blood flow restriction-combined resistance exercise group, both applied under supervision three times per week for eight weeks. All participants will be assessed before and after the intervention in terms of muscle oxygenation, serum B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels, functional capacity, and quality of life. The expected outcome of this study is to obtain comparative data on the clinical effectiveness of blood flow restriction- combined exercise interventions in patients with stable heart failure and to identify which exercise modality provides superior clinical benefits. The findings are anticipated to contribute to the development of short-term, low-cost rehabilitation protocols and to provide evidence-based guidance for clinical practice.
Official title: Comparison of the Effects of Aerobic or Resistance Exercises Combined With Blood Flow Restriction on Muscle Oxygenation, Serum BNP Levels, Functional Capacity, and Quality of Life in Patients With Heart Failure
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
45 Years - Any
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
40
Start Date
2026-06
Completion Date
2027-09
Last Updated
2026-06-04
Healthy Volunteers
No
Conditions
Interventions
Aerobic Exercise Plus Blood Flow Restriction Resistance Training
Participants will receive an 8-week supervised combined exercise program performed 3 days per week on non-consecutive days. The intervention will include moderate-intensity aerobic exercise on a cycle ergometer at 40-70% of heart rate reserve, followed by lower extremity-focused blood flow restriction resistance training using low loads corresponding to 20-40% of one-repetition maximum and cuff pressure set at 50% of arterial occlusion pressure. Each session will include a 5-10-minute warm-up and a 5-10-minute cool-down period.
Resistance Training Plus Blood Flow Restriction Aerobic Exercise
Participants will receive an 8-week supervised combined exercise program performed 3 days per week on non-consecutive days. The intervention will include conventional resistance training targeting major muscle groups at 40-60% of one-repetition maximum, followed by blood flow restriction aerobic exercise on a cycle ergometer at 40-70% of heart rate reserve. Cuff pressure will be set at 50% of arterial occlusion pressure, and the cuffs will remain inflated only during the aerobic exercise period. Each session will include a 5-10-minute warm-up and a 5-10-minute cool-down period.
Locations (1)
Biruni University
Istanbul, Zeytinburnu, Turkey (Türkiye)