{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,3,30]],"date-time":"2026-03-30T05:44:46Z","timestamp":1774849486477,"version":"3.50.1"},"reference-count":46,"publisher":"Frontiers Media SA","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,3,30]],"date-time":"2026-03-30T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1774828800000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":["frontiersin.org"],"crossmark-restriction":true},"short-container-title":["Front. Physiol."],"abstract":"<jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Purpose<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>To compare the effects of a 6-week unilateral low-load blood flow restriction (LL-BFR) training protocol versus traditional high-load resistance training (HL-RT) on maximal strength, muscle hypertrophy, and explosive power in resistance-trained men.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Methods<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>Twenty-four resistance-trained males (age: 21.0 \u00b1 2.0 years) completed a randomized within-subject trial. Each participant performed unilateral Bulgarian split squats (BSS) with one leg assigned to LL-BFR (30% 1RM, 30-15-15\u201315 repetitions at 80% arterial occlusion pressure [AOP]) and the contralateral leg to HL-RT (80% 1RM, 4 sets of 10 repetitions). Training consisted of 18 sessions over 6 weeks. Variable assessments, including BSS 1RM, vastus lateralis (VL) muscle thickness, and single-leg countermovement jump (SLCMJ) height and relative peak power were conducted both before (pretests) and after (posttests) the intervention.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Results<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>Both conditions resulted in significant time-dependent improvements in BSS 1RM (LL-BFR: +10.7%; HL-RT: +13.0%), VL muscle thickness (LL-BFR: +8.1%; HL-RT: +9.3%), and SLCMJ performance (height: +10.7\u201313.0%; relative peak power: +6.5\u20138.7%) (all P &amp;lt; 0.05). Crucially, no significant condition \u00d7 time interactions were detected for any variable, indicating that the magnitude of adaptation was comparable between the LL-BFR and HL protocols. Additionally, training did not exacerbate inter-limb asymmetry.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Conclusions<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>Unilateral LL-BFR and HL-RT produced similar time-dependent improvements in maximal strength, muscle hypertrophy, and explosive performance in resistance-trained men. LL-BFR may be considered as a joint-sparing option when high mechanical loading is not feasible or desirable.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>","DOI":"10.3389\/fphys.2026.1786733","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,3,30]],"date-time":"2026-03-30T04:12:44Z","timestamp":1774843964000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/crossmark-policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["Unilateral low-load blood flow restriction vs. high-load training in the Bulgarian split squat: a randomized within-subject design on strength, hypertrophy, and asymmetry"],"prefix":"10.3389","volume":"17","author":[{"given":"Yanfei","family":"Wang","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"School of Physical Education, Chifeng University","place":["Chifeng, Inner Mongolia, China"]}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Xinyuan","family":"Zhao","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"School of Sports Training, Shenyang Sport University","place":["Shenyang, Liaoning, China"]}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Lingfeng","family":"Zhang","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Physical Education, Sichuan Electronic and Mechanic Vocational College","place":["Mianyang, Sichuan, China"]}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Xin","family":"Gao","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Faculty of Sport, Catholic University of San Antonio of Murcia","place":["Murcia, Spain"]}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Zhanfei","family":"Zheng","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Sports Science, Wenzhou Medical University","place":["Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China"]}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Shoudu","family":"Wang","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Sports Science, Wenzhou Medical University","place":["Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China"]}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]}],"member":"1965","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,3,30]]},"reference":[{"key":"B1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1460","DOI":"10.1152\/japplphysiol.01267.2005","article-title":"Muscle size and strength are increased following walk training with restricted venous blood flow from the leg muscle, Kaatsu-walk training","volume":"100","author":"Abe","year":"2006","journal-title":"J. Appl. Physiol. (1985)"},{"key":"B2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"687","DOI":"10.1249\/MSS.0b013e3181915670","article-title":"American College of Sports Medicine position stand. Progression models in resistance training for healthy adults","volume":"41","year":"2009","journal-title":"Med. Sci. Sports Exerc"},{"key":"B3","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1196","DOI":"10.1055\/s-0034-1382016","article-title":"Muscle activation and strength in squat and Bulgarian squat on stable and unstable surface","volume":"35","author":"Andersen","year":"2014","journal-title":"Int. J. Sports Med."},{"key":"B4","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"54","DOI":"10.1519\/jsc.0000000000003035","article-title":"Unilateral and bilateral lower-body resistance training does not transfer equally to sprint and change of direction performance","volume":"34","author":"Appleby","year":"2020","journal-title":"J. Strength Cond Res."},{"key":"B5","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1213","DOI":"10.1519\/jsc.0000000000001219","article-title":"Short-term unilateral resistance training results in cross education of strength without changes in muscle size, activation, or endocrine response","volume":"30","author":"Beyer","year":"2016","journal-title":"J. Strength Cond Res."},{"key":"B6","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1135","DOI":"10.1080\/02640414.2017.1361894","article-title":"Effects of inter-limb asymmetries on physical and sports performance: A systematic review","volume":"36","author":"Bishop","year":"2018","journal-title":"J. Sports Sci."},{"key":"B7","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1660","DOI":"10.1152\/japplphysiol.00602.2019","article-title":"Low-load blood flow restriction training induces similar morphological and mechanical Achilles tendon adaptations compared with high-load resistance training","volume":"127","author":"Centner","year":"2019","journal-title":"J. Appl. Physiol."},{"key":"B8","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"95","DOI":"10.1007\/s40279-018-0994-1","article-title":"Effects of blood flow restriction training on muscular strength and hypertrophy in older individuals: A systematic review and meta-analysis","volume":"49","author":"Centner","year":"2019","journal-title":"Sports Med."},{"key":"B9","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"161","DOI":"10.5114\/jhk\/189365","article-title":"Validity of three commercial devices for recording movement velocity in the Bulgarian split squat","volume":"95","author":"Chen","year":"2025","journal-title":"J. Hum. Kinet."},{"key":"B10","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"166","DOI":"10.1123\/ijspp.2013-0018","article-title":"Improving strength and power in trained athletes with 3 weeks of occlusion training","volume":"9","author":"Cook","year":"2014","journal-title":"Int. J. Sports Physiol. Perform."},{"key":"B11","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"17","DOI":"10.2165\/11538500-000000000-00000","article-title":"Developing maximal neuromuscular power: Part 1--biological basis of maximal power production","volume":"41","author":"Cormie","year":"2011","journal-title":"Sports Med."},{"key":"B12","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"470","DOI":"10.1519\/00124278-200011000-00016","article-title":"Evaluation of plyometric exercise training, weight training, and their combination on vertical jumping performance and leg strength","volume":"14","author":"Fatouros","year":"2000","journal-title":"J. Strength Cond Res."},{"key":"B13","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"58","DOI":"10.1186\/s40798-024-00719-3","article-title":"Potential moderators of the effects of blood flow restriction training on muscle strength and hypertrophy: A meta-analysis based on a comparison with high-load resistance training","volume":"10","author":"Geng","year":"2024","journal-title":"Sports Med. - Open"},{"key":"B14","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"106","DOI":"10.1123\/ijspp.2015-0743","article-title":"Single-leg power output and between-limbs imbalances in team-sport players: Unilateral versus bilateral combined resistance training","volume":"12","author":"Gonzalo-Skok","year":"2017","journal-title":"Int. J. Sports Physiol. Perform."},{"key":"B15","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"468","DOI":"10.1152\/jn.00116.2018","article-title":"The cross education of strength and skill following unilateral strength training in the upper and lower limbs","volume":"120","author":"Green","year":"2018","journal-title":"J. Neurophysiol."},{"key":"B16","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"202","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jshs.2021.01.007","article-title":"Effects of resistance training performed to repetition failure or non-failure on muscular strength and hypertrophy: A systematic review and meta-analysis","volume":"11","author":"Grgic","year":"2022","journal-title":"J. Sport Health Sci."},{"key":"B17","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"837","DOI":"10.1111\/sms.13632","article-title":"Effect of blood-flow restricted vs heavy-load strength training on muscle strength: Systematic review and meta-analysis","volume":"30","author":"Gr\u00f8nfeldt","year":"2020","journal-title":"Scand. J. Med. Sci. Sports"},{"key":"B18","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1186\/1471-2288-13-100","article-title":"Selecting a sample size for studies with repeated measures","volume":"13","author":"Guo","year":"2013","journal-title":"BMC Med. Res. Methodol."},{"key":"B19","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"3269","DOI":"10.1519\/jsc.0000000000003378","article-title":"Validity and reliability of the rear foot elevated split squat 5 repetition maximum to determine unilateral leg strength symmetry","volume":"33","author":"Helme","year":"2019","journal-title":"J. Strength Cond Res."},{"key":"B20","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"560","DOI":"10.1152\/jn.1965.28.3.560","article-title":"Functional significance of cell size in spinal motoneurons","volume":"28","author":"Henneman","year":"1965","journal-title":"J. Neurophysiol."},{"key":"B21","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3389\/fphys.2025.1674597","article-title":"Muscle activity and power output recovery: The roles of rest duration and underlying endurance capacity in the wingate test","volume":"16","author":"Hu","year":"2025","journal-title":"Front. Physiol."},{"key":"B22","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"361","DOI":"10.1007\/s40279-017-0795-y","article-title":"Magnitude of muscle strength and mass adaptations between high-load resistance training versus low-load resistance training associated with blood-flow restriction: A systematic review and meta-analysis","volume":"48","author":"Lixandrao","year":"2018","journal-title":"Sports Med."},{"key":"B23","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"2903","DOI":"10.1007\/s00421-011-2266-8","article-title":"Effects of cuff width on arterial occlusion: Implications for blood flow restricted exercise","volume":"112","author":"Loenneke","year":"2012","journal-title":"Eur. J. Appl. Physiol."},{"key":"B24","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"923","DOI":"10.1007\/s00421-012-2502-x","article-title":"Blood flow restriction does not result in prolonged decrements in torque","volume":"113","author":"Loenneke","year":"2013","journal-title":"Eur. J. Appl. Physiol."},{"key":"B25","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"E415","DOI":"10.1111\/sms.12210","article-title":"Does blood flow restriction result in skeletal muscle damage? A critical review of available evidence","volume":"24","author":"Loenneke","year":"2014","journal-title":"Scand. J. Med. Sci. Sports"},{"key":"B26","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1849","DOI":"10.1007\/s00421-011-2167-x","article-title":"Low intensity blood flow restriction training: A meta-analysis","volume":"112","author":"Loenneke","year":"2012","journal-title":"Eur. J. Appl. Physiol."},{"key":"B27","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1206","DOI":"10.1249\/mss.0000000000002585","article-title":"Resistance training load effects on muscle hypertrophy and strength gain: Systematic review and network meta-analysis","volume":"53","author":"Lopez","year":"2021","journal-title":"Med. Sci. Sports Exerc"},{"key":"B28","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"258","DOI":"10.1249\/mss.0b013e31815c6d7e","article-title":"Cross-transfer effects of resistance training with blood flow restriction","volume":"40","author":"Madarame","year":"2008","journal-title":"Med. Sci. Sports Exerc"},{"key":"B29","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"2335","DOI":"10.1007\/s00421-017-3720-z","article-title":"Cross-education of muscular strength following unilateral resistance training: A meta-analysis","volume":"117","author":"Manca","year":"2017","journal-title":"Eur. J. Appl. Physiol."},{"key":"B30","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1502","DOI":"10.1152\/japplphysiol.01016.2017","article-title":"Neurophysiological adaptations in the untrained side in conjunction with cross-education of muscle strength: A systematic review and meta-analysis","volume":"124","author":"Manca","year":"2018","journal-title":"J. Appl. Physiol. (1985)"},{"key":"B31","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"2305","DOI":"10.1007\/s00421-021-04708-2","article-title":"Contralateral training effects of low-intensity blood-flow restricted and high-intensity unilateral resistance training","volume":"121","author":"Mendonca","year":"2021","journal-title":"Eur. J. Appl. Physiol."},{"key":"B32","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"663","DOI":"10.1080\/02640414.2020.1840734","article-title":"Approaches to determining occlusion pressure for blood flow restricted exercise training: Systematic review","volume":"39","author":"Murray","year":"2021","journal-title":"J. Sports Sci."},{"key":"B33","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3389\/fphys.2019.00533","article-title":"Blood flow restriction exercise position stand: Considerations of methodology, application, and safety","volume":"10","author":"Patterson","year":"2019","journal-title":"Front. Physiol."},{"key":"B34","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3389\/fphys.2019.00533","article-title":"Blood flow restriction exercise: Considerations of methodology, application, and safety","volume":"10","author":"Patterson","year":"2019","journal-title":"Front. Physiol."},{"key":"B35","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"187","DOI":"10.1007\/s40279-014-0264-9","article-title":"A review on the mechanisms of blood-flow restriction resistance training-induced muscle hypertrophy","volume":"45","author":"Pearson","year":"2015","journal-title":"Sports Med."},{"key":"B36","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"656","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jshs.2020.12.005","article-title":"The effects of plyometric jump training on physical fitness attributes in basketball players: A meta-analysis","volume":"11","author":"Ramirez-Campillo","year":"2022","journal-title":"J. Sport Health Sci."},{"key":"B37","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"3508","DOI":"10.1519\/jsc.0000000000002200","article-title":"Strength and hypertrophy adaptations between low- vs. high-load resistance training: A systematic review and meta-analysis","volume":"31","author":"Schoenfeld","year":"2017","journal-title":"J. Strength Cond Res."},{"key":"B38","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1461","DOI":"10.1123\/ijspp.2023-0135","article-title":"An updated panorama of blood-flow-restriction methods","volume":"18","author":"Scott","year":"2023","journal-title":"Int. J. Sports Physiol. Perform."},{"key":"B39","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"360","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jsams.2015.04.014","article-title":"Blood flow restricted exercise for athletes: A review of available evidence","volume":"19","author":"Scott","year":"2016","journal-title":"J. Sci. Med. Sport"},{"key":"B40","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"669","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jsams.2015.09.005","article-title":"The efficacy of blood flow restricted exercise: A systematic review & meta-analysis","volume":"19","author":"Slysz","year":"2016","journal-title":"J. Sci. Med. Sport"},{"key":"B41","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"386","DOI":"10.1519\/jsc.0000000000001096","article-title":"Unilateral vs. bilateral squat training for strength, sprints, and agility in academy rugby players","volume":"30","author":"Speirs","year":"2016","journal-title":"J. Strength Cond Res."},{"key":"B42","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3389\/fphys.2025.1603568","article-title":"Effects of blood flow restriction combined with high-load training on muscle strength and sports performance in athletes: A systematic review and meta-analysis","volume":"16","author":"Su","year":"2025","journal-title":"Front. Physiol."},{"key":"B43","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"765","DOI":"10.1007\/s40279-018-0862-z","article-title":"The importance of muscular strength: Training considerations","volume":"48","author":"Suchomel","year":"2018","journal-title":"Sports Med."},{"key":"B44","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pone.0189876","article-title":"How to determine leg dominance: The agreement between self-reported and observed performance in healthy adults","volume":"12","author":"Van Melick","year":"2017","journal-title":"PloS One"},{"key":"B45","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1938","DOI":"10.1177\/0363546520964454","article-title":"Blood flow restriction training for athletes: A systematic review","volume":"49","author":"Wortman","year":"2021","journal-title":"Am. J. Sports Med."},{"key":"B46","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3389\/fphys.2024.1404247","article-title":"Validity and reliability of a wearable blood flow restriction training device for arterial occlusion pressure assessment","volume":"15","author":"Zhang","year":"2024","journal-title":"Front. Physiol."}],"container-title":["Frontiers in Physiology"],"original-title":[],"link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.frontiersin.org\/articles\/10.3389\/fphys.2026.1786733\/full","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2026,3,30]],"date-time":"2026-03-30T04:12:55Z","timestamp":1774843975000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.frontiersin.org\/articles\/10.3389\/fphys.2026.1786733\/full"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2026,3,30]]},"references-count":46,"alternative-id":["10.3389\/fphys.2026.1786733"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/fphys.2026.1786733","relation":{},"ISSN":["1664-042X"],"issn-type":[{"value":"1664-042X","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2026,3,30]]},"article-number":"1786733"}}