Effect of Low-Load Blood Flow Restriction Training on Endurance,  Lower Limb Strength and Agility in Professional Cricket Players: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Jagruti Jaydeep Mane; Neeraja Deshmukh

Effect of Low-Load Blood Flow Restriction Training on Endurance, Lower Limb Strength and Agility in Professional Cricket Players: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Author(s)	Ms. Jagruti Jaydeep Mane, Prof. Dr. Neeraja Deshmukh
Country	India
Abstract	Conventional high-load resistance training is effective for developing strength but may not always be appropriate when training load or recovery needs must be carefully managed. Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) training allows low-load exercise to be performed while applying controlled external pressure to the limb and has been investigated as an alternative or adjunct to conventional training. Objective: To compare the effects of eight weeks of low-load BFR training with matched low-load training without BFR on aerobic endurance, lower-limb strength and agility in trained cricket players. Methods: One hundred trained cricket players aged 18–25 years were randomly allocated to a BFR group (n = 50) or control group (n = 50). Both groups participated in supervised training three times per week for eight weeks. The BFR group performed low-load exercise at 20–30% of one-repetition maximum with cuff pressure maintained at 40–60% of individually determined arterial occlusion pressure, while the control group performed the same exercises without BFR. Aerobic endurance, lower-limb strength and agility were assessed before and after the intervention using the Cooper 12-minute Run Test, one-repetition maximum leg press and Illinois Agility Test, respectively. Results: Both groups improved significantly following training. Compared with the control group, the BFR group demonstrated greater mean improvement in aerobic endurance (+255.3 m vs +118.0 m; p = 0.003; d = 0.63), lower-limb strength (+25.2 kg vs +14.4 kg; p < 0.001; d = 1.50) and agility (-0.7 s vs -0.4 s; p < 0.001; d = 2.47). Baseline-adjusted ANCOVA analyses also demonstrated significant between-group effects for all three outcomes (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Eight weeks of supervised low-load BFR training resulted in greater improvements in aerobic endurance, lower-limb strength and agility than matched low-load training without BFR in trained cricket players. These findings suggest that low-load BFR training may be a useful conditioning option for cricket players when appropriately prescribed and supervised. Further studies are required to determine its long-term effects, safety outcomes and applicability to other athletic populations.
Keywords	Blood Flow Restriction Training, Cricket Players, Muscular Strength, Aerobic Endurance, Agility, Randomised Controlled Trial
Field	Medical / Pharmacy
Published In	Volume 8, Issue 5, September-October 2026
Published On	2026-10-11

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Effect of Low-Load Blood Flow Restriction Training on Endurance, Lower Limb Strength and Agility in Professional Cricket Players: A Randomized Controlled Trial

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