Influence of local and remote ischemic preconditioning on 3-min all-out exercise performance: A randomized controlled crossover study

Objective: This study investigated the influences of local ischemic preconditioning (LIPC) and remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) on muscle deoxygenation before and during a 3-min all-out cycling test (3 MT), as well as on 3 MT performance. Methods: Fifteen male athletes completed LIPC (thighs, 220 mmHg, 4 × 5 min), RIPC (upper limbs, 30 mmHg above systolic blood pressure, 4 × 5 min), and SHAM (thighs, 20 mmHg, 4 × 5 min) interventions in a randomized crossover design, with a 4-day washout period between sessions. The 3 MT was conducted 45 min after each intervention. Parameters derived from the 3 MT included end-test power output (EP) and the work performed above EP (WEP). Muscle oxygenation of the thigh and blood biochemical variables (lactate, pH, nitric oxide, and norepinephrine) were assessed before and during exercise. Results: During the resting period between the intervention and the 3 MT, deoxyhemoglobin and total hemoglobin were significantly higher in the LIPC condition than in RIPC and SHAM (P < 0.05). However, no significant differences were observed among conditions in peak oxygen uptake, slow component amplitude, EP, WEP, or blood biochemical variables during the 3 MT. Conclusion: LIPC increased muscle total hemoglobin during the post-intervention resting period, particularly within 10 min of the final occlusion. However, neither LIPC nor RIPC improved performance during high-intensity cycling exercise.