The Effect of Blood Flow Restriction Training on Swimming Performance in Swimmers

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of practical blood flow restriction (pBFR) applied during swimming training on sprint and endurance performance in master swimmers. Fifty-four male master swimmers (36-51 years) were randomly assigned to either a pBFR group (n = 27) or a control group (n = 27). Both groups followed the same swimming training programme twice weekly for eight weeks. In the pBFR group, elastic bands were applied to the proximal region of both thighs at a perceived tightness level of 7/10 during approximately 20 min of low-intensity swimming performed at the beginning of each training session. Performance was assessed using a 50-m freestyle kick test, a 100-m freestyle swimming test, and a 12-min Cooper swimming test.

Inclusion Criteria: * \* Voluntary participation with signed written informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * \* History of hypertension, diabetes, or cardiovascular disease * History of deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism * Neurological disorders or rheumatic diseases * Obesity or any other chronic condition * Sports-related injury within the previous 6 months