Impact of blood flow restriction training on sprint performance and fatigue in futsal players / Wan Muqhriz Yunus and Nurul Ain Kasim

Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) training offers a low-load alternative to high-intensity exercises, potentially enhancing athletic performance while minimizing overuse injuries. Despite its growing popularity, its impact on speed and fatigue index in high-intensity sports like futsal remains underexplored. This study examines the acute effects of BFR on the fatigue index and sprint performance, addressing gaps in understanding its efficacy for intermittent sports. Twenty healthy male futsal athletes participated, free of injuries or chronic diseases. Two trials were conducted: one with BFR applied during Yo-Yo IR1 training and the other as a control without BFR. After training, athletes performed repeated sprint tests. Speed was measured using Smartspeed timing gates, and the fatigue index was calculated using the power output method as described in the Running-based Anaerobic Sprint Test (RAST). Results were statistically analyzed.