The effect of occlusion training on body composition and performance in female aesthetic gymnasts: A randomized controlled trial

Training with blood flow restriction attracts more and more attention of scientific and sports community. The aim is to develop and experimentally substantiate the methodology of occlusion training application to improve the performance of female athletes engaged in aesthetic gymnastics. A randomized controlled study was conducted according to CONSORT guidelines. Female athletes were randomized by the tabular method of “random numbers” into two groups: the experimental group trained with blood flow restriction (n = 10), and the control group trained according to their traditional method (n = 10). The following were used: interview, examination, body composition analysis, vertical jump with countermovement and ergospirometry. The groups differed statistically significantly in lean body mass index, vertical jump with countermovement, oxygen consumption at anaerobic threshold and maximal oxygen consumption. A 15-minute occlusion training session, 3 times a week (occlusion pressures 40–80%) improves body composition and performance.