The effect of exercise and ischemic preconditioning on sportive performance parameters

Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of ischemic preconditioning (IPC) on sportive performance parameters in athletes. Method: 58 athletes between the ages of 18-40 and doing sports licensed in a sports club participated in the study. Participants were randomly assigned one of three 3 groups: control group (C), moderate-intensity continuous exercise group (MICE), and high-intensity intermittent exercise group (HIIE). Each group was divided into 3 subgroups as: control, sham and ischemic preconditioning. Resting measurements (body composition measurements, physiological measurements and performance measurements) were taken before the participants, and all measurements were repeated at the end of the 8-week application period. The IPC application was applied to the middle 1/3 of the thigh bilaterally, while the person was in the supine position, with the sphygmomanometer cuff inflated to 220 mmHg. IPC was applied 3 times in total, in the form of 5 minutes of ischemia, followed by 5 minutes of reperfusion, 3 days a week for 8 weeks. Sham application was applied using the same protocol using 20 mmHg pressure. The results were presented as mean ± SD, the comparison between measurements was evaluated by t-test, and the difference between groups was evaluated by analysis of variance. Statistical significance level was presented as p<0.05. Results: IPC applied for eight weeks increased aerobic power, decreased plasma lactate concentration and Rate of Perceived Exertion, especially when used with HIIE training. Conclusion: It was concluded that when IPC is applied with HIIE, it increases sportive performance. Keywords: ischemic preconditioning, endurance, performance, exercise, athlete