Ischemic Preconditioning Improves Resistance Training Session Performance

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the acute effect of ischemic preconditioning (IPC) in a resistance exercise (RE) training session on the number of repetitions performed, total volume, and rating of perceived exertion in recreationally trained and normotensive men. Sixteen recreationally trained and normotensive men completed 3 RE sessions in a counterbalanced and randomized order: (a) IPC protocol using 220 mm Hg followed by RE (IPC), (b) IPC cuff control protocol with 20 mm Hg followed by RE (CUFF), and (c) no IPC (control) followed by RE (CON). RE was performed with 3 sets of each exercise (bench press, leg press, lateral pulldown, hack machine squat, shoulder press, and Smith back squat) until concentric muscular failure, at 80% of one repetition maximum, with 90 seconds of rest between sets and 2 minutes of rest between exercises. Ischemic preconditioning and CUFF consisted of 4 cycles of 5 minutes of occlusion/low pressure alternating with 5 minutes of no occlusion (0 mm Hg) using a pneumatic tourniquet applied around the subaxillary region of the upper arm. For each condition, the number of repetitions completed, total volume of work performed, and rating of perceived exertion were determined. No significant difference was found for rating of perceived exertion between any experimental protocol. Ischemic preconditioning significantly (p , 0.05) increased the number of repetitions across exercises. Consequently, total volume performed (sum of total number of repetitions x load for each exercise) was significantly higher in IPC (46,170 kg) compared with CON (34,069 kg) and CUFF (36,590 kg) across all exercises. This work may have important implications for athletic populations because it demonstrates increase in muscle performance outcomes during a single RE session. Therefore, performing IPC before RE could be an important exercise prescription recommendation to increase maximum repetition performance and total volume of work performed and thus potentially increase desired training adaptations (i.e., strength and hypertrophy).

Ischemic Preconditioning Improves Autonomic Modulation After Session of Resistance Exercise

“…This resulted in a total intervention of 40-min. The pressure used, and the width of the cuff, are in agreement with a previous study (DA SILVA NOVAES et al, 2020;TELLES et al, 2020;TELLES et al, 2021). In order to certify that subjects had the blood flow obstructed during the intervention; the radial pulse was manually verified by digital palpation.…”

“…SHAM protocol session consisted of 4 cycles of 5-min of occlusion at 20 mmHg of pressure, as proposed in previous studies (DA SILVA NOVAES et al, 2020;TELLES et al, 2020). with 5-min of reperfusion at 0 mmHg for a total of 40-min.…”

“…Ischemic preconditioning (IPC) is a maneuver consisting of vascular occlusion, with alternating moments of reperfusion. Usually, the IPC is applied by a pneumatic tourniquet before performing the exercise in a non-invasive way (DA SILVA NOVAES et al, 2020). In the reperfusion phase, the application of IPC can increase blood flow in the skeletal muscles (WANG et al, 2004), in the liver (KANORIA et al, 2006), in the heart (ZHOU et al, 2007) and in the kidneys (ALI et al, 2007).…”

Beliefs, perceptions and practices of chiropractors and patients about mitigation strategies for benign adverse events after spinal manipulation therapy

“…4). Previous studies have investigated the effect of the sequence of interventions in other health care fields, such as cardiac (heart rate and blood pressure) and training performance, and suggested that the order in which interventions are performed can influence the outcome [31][32][33]. Although no studies have investigated the effect of the sequence of interventions related to SMT, it is possible that, similarly to other health care fields, the order in which interventions and mitigators are performed can influence the frequency and/or severity of benign AEs post-SMT.…”

Neuromuscular Adjustments Following Sprint Training with Ischemic Preconditioning in Endurance Athletes: Preliminary Data

“…The discrepancy in these conclusions may be due to the different IPC procedures (unilateral vs. bilateral), probably inducing a different vascular/metabolic cascade and the intensity of the training sessions (tempo vs. “all-out” efforts). In fact, high power output at the onset of exercise and repeated metabolic stress might be the two most important aspects when it comes to creating adaptations with SIT [ 14 , 15 ], and since IPC can improve key qualities of the 30-s Wingate test such as maximal concentric force [ 6 , 16 ] and peak and mean power output [ 2 , 3 ], its chronic use along this particular sprint training modality appears to be a promising way of improving performance in athletes.…”