Ischemic Preconditioning and Muscle Force Capabilities

This study analyzed the effects of ischemic preconditioning (IPC) on muscle force capabilities. Sixteen male subjects participated in this randomized, crossover, sham-controlled study. They were assigned to either IPC (3 × 5 minutes at 220 mm Hg in both arms with 5-minute rests) or a sham intervention (SHAM) (occlusion pressure set at 10 mm Hg). Forty minutes later, their force capabilities on the bench press exercise were assessed (load-velocity relationship with light, moderate, and heavy loads [30, 50, and 70% body mass, respectively]; 1 repetition maximum [1RM]; and number of repetitions to failure in 3 sets with 60% RM). The skin temperature (Tsk) of the pectoral and biceps muscles was analyzed as a secondary endpoint by means of infrared thermography. A significant decrease in the Tsk of the pectoral and biceps muscles was observed after the intervention (p 0.05 for all) were observed between conditions in the mean velocity attained with light (1.11 ± 0.11 and 1.09 ± 0.14 m·s−1, respectively), moderate (0.83 ± 0.14 and 0.83 ± 0.16 m·s−1), nor heavy loads (0.56 ± 0.17 and 0.54 ± 0.16 m·s−1), in 1RM (75.0 ± 18.9 and 73.1 ± 15.0 kg for IPC and SHAM, respectively; p = 0.181), nor in the number of repetitions performed (52 ± 13 and 54 ± 16 repetitions, p = 0.492). In summary, IPC decreased Tsk locally (biceps) and remotely (pectoral). However, it did not alter muscle force capabilities nor the Tsk response to exercise.

Source: Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research - August 1, 2021 Category: Sports Medicine Tags: Original Research Source Type: research