Background and Purpose: The aim of the present study was to compare the effect of four weeks of specialized volleyball training with blood flow restriction (BFR) on some inflammatory indices, CRP, ESR, and TNF-α, in teenage female volleyball players.
Methodology: In this semi-experimental study, 20 teenage volleyball players aged 15 ± 1 years were selected via convenience sampling and randomly assigned to two groups: specialized volleyball training with blood flow restriction (BFR) and without blood flow restriction (N-BFR). Specialized volleyball exercises were performed for four weeks, three sessions per week. The exercises included the four main volleyball skills in 2-3 sets, with 5-8 repetitions per set, followed by a 5-minute SSG game. In the BFR group, a cuff with an initial pressure of 140 mmHg was used on the thighs, and 20 mmHg was added weekly. Blood sampling was performed in two stages: before training and 48 hours after the last training session. CRP, ESR, and TNF-α indices were measured using the ELISA method. The Shapiro-Wilk test was used to assess data normality, analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was used for between-group comparisons, and the paired t-test was used for within-group comparisons at a significance level of α ≤ 0.05.
Findings: After four weeks of training, all three indices showed a decreasing trend in both groups. However, in the between-group comparison, TNF-α was statistically significant (α ≤ 0.05).
Conclusion: Specialized volleyball training with BFR can lead to a gradual reduction in inflammatory responses.