Effectiveness of either short-duration ischemic pre-conditioning, single-set high-resistance exercise, or their combination in potentiating bench press exercise performance

Abstract

This study compared the effects of short-duration ischemic preconditioning, a single-set high-resistance exercise and their combination on subsequent bench press performance. Twelve men (age: 25.8 ± 6.0 years, bench press 1-RM: 1.21 ± 0.17 kg kg−1 body mass) performed four 12 s sets as fast as possible, with 2 min of recovery between sets, against 60% 1-RM, after: a) 5 min ischemic preconditioning (IPC; at 100% of full arterial occlusion pressure), b) one set of three bench press repetitions at 90% 1-RM (PAPE), c) their combination (PAPE + IPC) or d) control (CTRL). Mean barbell velocity in ischemic preconditioning was higher than CTRL (by 6.6–9.0%, p < 0.05) from set 1 to set 3, and higher than PAPE in set 1 (by 4.4%, p < 0.05). Mean barbell velocity in PAPE was higher than CTRL from set 2 to set 4 (by 6.7–8.9%, p < 0.05), while mean barbell velocity in PAPE + IPC was higher than CTRL only in set 1 (+5.8 ± 10.0%). Peak barbell velocity in ischemic preconditioning and PAPE was higher than CTRL (by 7.8% and 8.5%, respectively; p < 0.05). Total number of repetitions was similarly increased in all experimental conditions compared with CTRL (by 7.0–7.9%, p < 0.05). Rating of perceived exertion was lower in ischemic preconditioning compared with CTRL (p < 0.001) and PAPE (p = 0.045), respectively. These results highlight the effectiveness of short-duration ischemic preconditioning in increasing bench press performance, and suggest that it may be readily used by strength and conditioning coaches during resistance training due to its brevity and lower perceived exertion.

Fatigue and Metabolic Responses during Repeated Sets of Bench Press Exercise to Exhaustion at Different Ranges of Motion

“…This system has been found to be valid and reliable for the measurement of mean and peak velocity ( Garnacho-Castaño et al, 2015 ). The string of the transducer was set vertically to the barbell, and this was ensured by hanging a small weight from the barbell to the floor before each experimental condition ( Salagas et al, 2022 ).…”

The Impact of Different Ischemic Preconditioning Pressures on Pain Sensitivity and Resistance Exercise Performance

“…Second, the chosen interval between ischemic preconditioning and the start of exercise (i.e., completing the performance test right after the last reperfusion period) might have been too short to induce an ergogenic effect in this study. Although previous studies have used the same protocol and found performance benefits (3,29,31), it has been suggested that there might be a range of intervals necessary between ischemic preconditioning and exercise for ergogenic effects (32). Nevertheless, other studies have failed to observe such effects with a longer interval (e.g., 20-40 minutes) (11,38), and the ideal time window has yet to be established (24).…”

“…Following the fourth cycle of arterial occlusion, the cuff was deflated, and the subjects rested for 5 minutes (reperfusion period) before completing the fatigue performance test. Previous studies have employed the same chosen interval before the performance test and observed performance benefits with various exercises protocols (3,29,31).…”

Effects of blood flow restriction on mechanical properties of the rectus femoris muscle at rest

“…The rectus femoris muscle has been selected due to its crucial role in knee extension and hip flexion, and feasibility and accessibility for measurement (its superficial location in the thigh makes it more amenable to non-invasive assessment). The following muscle mechanical properties were measured: the Natural Oscillation Frequency [Hz], which is the intrinsic tension of the muscle in its passive state, characterizing tone or tension and the dynamic stiffness, which indicates the resistance to deformation ( Salagas et al, 2022 ). Myoton’s accelerometer was set to 3200 Hz, and the average value kept for analysis was obtained from five consecutive measurements (0.4 N for 15 m) ( Szymczyk et al, 2022 ).…”

“…The objective of blood flow restriction (BFR) is to reduce blood flow to the muscles using an inflatable cuff or tourniquet applied around proximal parts of the upper or lower limbs ( Loenneke et al, 2012 ). Cuffs that induce BFR may be readily used in various populations, including healthy, previously injured as well as patients with various heart conditions ( Abe et al, 2005 ; Marocolo et al, 2018 ; Cahalin et al, 2022 ; Salagas et al, 2022 ). BFR training methods differ from each other, in terms of the aim and protocol used, e.g., pre-conditioning BFR performed before exercise to improve performance ( Incognito et al, 2016 ; Marocolo et al, 2018 ; Wilk et al, 2020 ; Salagas et al, 2022 ), intermittent BFR during exercise ( Gepfert et al, 2020 ), continuous BFR throughout the duration of resistance exercise ( Takarada et al, 2000 ; Takarada et al, 2002 ; Wernbom et al, 2009 ; Patterson et al, 2019 ) or intra-conditioning BFR, i.e., only during the rest intervals of a series of exercise sets ( Wilk et al, 2021a ; Jarosz et al, 2021 ).…”