Comparison of Adaptations in the Gastrocnemius Muscle from an Exercise Program with and without Low-Intensity Blood Flow Restriction Banding in 18 Male Amateur Basketball Players Aged 16-45 Years

Abstract

BACKGROUND Basketball is a sport with a global impact and recognized major leagues, and is one of the most studied and analyzed sports for improvement at the level of the high-performance athlete. Increasing the jump height of basketball players is an essential factor for high athletic performance. MATERIAL AND METHODS This study aimed to identify the effect of low-intensity training with flow restriction versus the eccentric exercise protocol on amateur athletes. Eighteen amateur basketball players aged 16-45 years were divided into 2 groups: Group A consisted of 9 participants with low-intensity training with flow restriction (40% intensity) with 200 mmHg occlusion applying flow restriction bands in the popliteal area, while Group B consisted of 9 participants who performed an eccentric exercises protocol on the gastrocnemius. An anthropometric evaluation was applied, which consisted of perception of effort, range of movement (ROM), muscle strength intensity, and the power of the jump measured with a jump platform. RESULTS Notable changes were observed in favor of Group A for the right dorsiflexion, with mean difference (MD)=-2.444 (P=0.018); left dorsiflexion with MD=-2.778 (P=0.027) and left foot perimeter variable with MD=-0.667 (P=0.026) at 95% confidence interval (CI); while the vertical jump was in favor of Group B, with MD=-2.899 (P=0.006). CONCLUSIONS Low-intensity training with flow restriction and eccentric exercise protocol were both effective in improving jumping performance. A significant improvement was shown in the jump height and ROM of the 2 study groups.

Figure 1

(A) Five-kg medicine ball lunge (Group A). (B) Push up with unipodal plantiflexion and 5-kg medicine ball (Group A). (C) Plantar flexion with elastic band, in prone position (Group A). (D) Bipodal Alfredson exercises (Group B). (E) Monopodal Alfredson exercises (Group B). (F) Plantar flexion exercises with elastic band, sitting down (Group B). Interventions of Group A with low-intensity training with flow restriction and Group B with eccentric exercises treatment protocol (Photo Mania App iOS version).

Figure 2

Flowchart of the study participants.

Figure 3

Mean and individual change comparison between group A, which followed low-intensity training with flow restriction and Group B with eccentric exercises treatment protocol pre and post 1-month training. Error bars represent standard deviation (GraphPad Prism 8.0.1 version for Windows).