Effects of movement velocity in squat training with and without blood flow restriction

Pedro Jesús Cornejo-Daza; Juan Sánchez-Valdepeñas; Luis Rodiles-Guerrero; Paula Costales-Muñoz; Miguel Sánchez-Moreno; Irineu Loturco; Juan León-Prados; Fernando Pareja-Blanco

doi:10.5114/biolsport.2026.160853

eISSN: 2083-1862
ISSN: 0860-021X

Biology of Sport

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abstract:

Original paper

Effects of movement velocity in squat training with and without blood flow restriction

Pedro Jesús Cornejo-Daza

^{1, 2, 3}

,

Juan Sánchez-Valdepeñas

^{1, 4}

,

Luis Rodiles-Guerrero

^{1, 5}

,

Paula Costales-Muñoz

⁶

,

Miguel Sánchez-Moreno

^{1, 7}

,

Irineu Loturco

^{8, 9, 10}

,

Juan A León-Prados

⁶

,

Fernando Pareja-Blanco

^{1, 6}

Science-Based Training Research Group, Physical Performance and Sports Research Center (CIRFD), Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Seville, Spain
Faculty of Human Sciences and Education, Department of Musical, Plastic and Corporal Expression, University of Zaragoza, Huesca, Spain
ENFYRED Research Group, Faculty of Health and Sports Sciences, Department of Musical, Plastic and Corporal Expression, University of Zaragoza, Huesca, Spain
Physical Education and Sports Department, Cardenal Spinola CEU Andalucia University, Bormujos, Seville, Spain
Faculty of Education, Psychology and Sport Sciences, University of Huelva, Spain
Faculty of Sport Sciences, Department of Sports and Computers Sciences. Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Seville, Spain
Department of Physical Education and Sports. University of Seville, Seville, Spain
Nucleus of High Performance in Sport (NAR), São Paulo, Brazil
Department of Human Movement Sciences, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
University of South Wales, Pontypridd, Wales, United Kingdom

Biol Sport. 2026;43:1133–1147

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2026.160853

Online publish date: 2026/04/13

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This study compared the effects of four different resistance training (RT) programs that differed in the movement velocity [maximum (MaxV) vs. 50% of maximum voluntary velocity (HalfV)] and the blood flow condition [free (FF) vs. restricted (BFR)] on strength, neuromuscular, and hypertrophy adaptations. Fortysix resistance-trained males were randomly assigned to one of the four abovementioned protocols. Subjects followed an 8-week RT program, twice per week, with similar intensity (55%–65% 1RM), sets (3), and repetitions per set (10–6) in the full-squat (SQ) exercise. Before and after the RT program, they were evaluated for: 1) muscle size of the vastus lateralis; 2) vertical jump; 3) maximal isometric contraction; 4) progressive loading test; and 5) fatigue test, in SQ. Electromyographic (EMG) activity was assessed during all SQ tests. All protocols exhibited significant gains in strength-derived parameters without significant differences between groups. A BFR × VEL × time interaction (p = 0.05) was observed for countermovement jump, with improvements in the HalfV-BFR and MaxV-FF protocols. A VEL × time interaction (p = 0.03) was found for the EMG amplitude under light loads, since HalfV-BFR increased its values. MaxV-BFR and HalfV-FF induced greater hypertrophy in the distal region of the vastus lateralis (BFR × VEL × time interaction, p = 0.04), with MaxV-BFR producing the greatest gains in all sections. Both MaxV-FF and HalfV-BFR increased CMJ height. HalfV-BFR also increased neuromuscular activity against light loads. MaxV-BFR and HalfV-FF evoked higher hypertrophy in muscle size, with the greatest gains in muscle size with MaxV-BFR.

keywords:

Effects of movement velocity in squat training with and without blood flow restriction

Pedro Jesús Cornejo-Daza 1, 2, 3 , Juan Sánchez-Valdepeñas 1, 4 , Luis Rodiles-Guerrero 1, 5 , Paula Costales-Muñoz 6 , Miguel Sánchez-Moreno 1, 7 , Irineu Loturco 8, 9, 10 , Juan A León-Prados 6 , Fernando Pareja-Blanco 1, 6

Velocity-based training, Intentionality, Maximal velocity, Arterial occlusion pressure, Neural adaptations, Structural adaptations

Pedro Jesús Cornejo-Daza

^{1, 2, 3}

,

Juan Sánchez-Valdepeñas

^{1, 4}

,

Luis Rodiles-Guerrero

^{1, 5}

,

Paula Costales-Muñoz

⁶

,

Miguel Sánchez-Moreno

^{1, 7}

,

Irineu Loturco

^{8, 9, 10}

,

Juan A León-Prados

⁶

,

Fernando Pareja-Blanco

^{1, 6}