Ischaemic preconditioning improves upper‐body endurance performance without altering V̇O₂ kinetics

Abstract

Purpose: Whilst pre-exercise ischaemic preconditioning (IPC) can improve lower-body exercise performance, its impact on upper-limb performance has received little attention. This study examines the influence of IPC on upper-body exercise performance and oxygen uptake (V ̇O2 ) kinetics. Methods: Eleven recreationally-active males (24 ± 2 years) completed an arm-crank graded exercise test to exhaustion to determine the power outputs at the ventilatory thresholds (VT1 and VT2) and V ̇O2peak (40.0 ± 7.4 ml•kg −1 •min −1 ). Four main trials were conducted, two following IPC (4 × 5-min, 220 mmHg contralateral upper-limb occlusion), the other two following SHAM (4 × 5-min, 20 mmHg). The first two trials consisted of a 15-minute constant work rate and the last two time-to-exhaustion (TTE) arm-crank tests at the power equivalents of 95% VT1 (LOW) and VT2 (HIGH), respectively. Pulmonary V ̇O2 kinetics, heart rate, blood-lactate concentration, and rating of perceived exertion were recorded throughout exercise. Results: TTE during HIGH was longer following IPC than SHAM (459 ± 115 vs 395 ± 102 s, p = .004). Mean response time and change in V ̇O2 between 2-min and end exercise (ΔV ̇O2 ) were not different between IPC and SHAM for arm-cranking at both LOW (80.3 ± 19.0 vs 90.3 ± 23.5 s [p = .06], 457 ± 184 vs 443 ± 245 ml [p = .83]) and HIGH (96.6 ± 31.2 vs 92.1 ± 24.4 s [p = .65], 617 ± 321 vs 649 ± 230 ml [p = .74]). Heart rate, blood-lactate concentration, and rating of perceived exertion did not differ between conditions (all p ≥ .05). Conclusion: TTE was longer following IPC during upper-body exercise despite unchanged V ̇O2 kinetics. Highlights. Whilst pre-exercise ischaemic preconditioning can improve lower-body exercise performance and alter V ̇O2 kinetics, its impact on upper-limb performance has received little attention. . An acute bout of ischaemic preconditioning prior to arm-crank ergometry exercise significantly improved time to exhaustion compared to a sham control condition. . V ̇O2 kinetics in response to ischaemic preconditioning remained unchanged, suggesting alternative mechanisms may explain performance improvements.

Effect of Ischemic Preconditioning (IPC) on Recovery of Exercise Performance Following a Bout of Exercise to Volitional Exhaustion

“…The present study also shows some agreement with the work o afulli et al [17] and Kido et al [18], whereby an effect of IPC on exercise performan demonstrated despite maximal oxygen uptake and oxygen uptake kinetics being fected by IPC. In addition, Bellini et al [32] also found that upper-body enduran similarly improved through IPC without alterations to VȮ2 kinetics.…”

Effect of Simultaneous Lower- and Upper-Body Ischemic Preconditioning on Lactate, Heart Rate, and Rowing Performance in Healthy Males and Females

“…The authors also observed that IPC was associated with a decreased rise in blood lactate (BLa) concentration, indicating that IPC enables greater work rates and consequently improves time trial performance. Similarly, Bellini et al [16] found increased time to exhaustion in arm-crank tests after IPC in recreationally active males compared to a control condition. In addition, there were no significant differences in heart rate (HR) or BLa concentration between the conditions.…”

“…All participants provided written informed consent for study participation. The sample size was calculated a priori based on a statistical power of 0.9, a repeated measures ANOVA, within-between interaction, an effect size d = 0.58, and a significance level of 0.05, taking rowing time as a reference variable [16]. A minimum sample size of 34 individuals was determined (G*Power [version 3.1.9.2], Dusseldorf, Germany).…”