Ischemic Preconditioning and Exercise Performance: Shedding Light Through Smallest Worthwhile Change

Overview

Journal Eur J Appl Physiol

Specialty Physiology

Date 2019 Aug 28

PMID 31451953

Citations 28

Authors

Moacir Marocolo

Mario A Moura Simim

Anderson Bernardino

Iury Reis Monteiro

Stephen D Patterson

Gustavo R da Mota

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Ischemic preconditioning (IPC) has been suggested as a potential ergogenic aid to improve exercise performance, although controversial findings exist. The controversies may be explained by several factors, including the mode of exercise, the ratio between the magnitude of improvement, or the error of measurement and physiological meaning. However, a relevant aspect has been lacking in the literature: the interpretation of the findings considering statistical tests and adequate effect size (ES) according to the fitness level of individuals. Thus, we performed a systematic review with meta-analysis to update the effects of IPC on exercise performance and physiological responses, using traditional statistics (P values), ES, and smallest worth change (SWC) approach contextualizing the IPC application to applied Sports and Exercise performance. Forty-five studies met the inclusion criteria. Overall, the results show that IPC has a minimal or nonsignificant effect on performance considering the fitness level of the individuals, using statistical approaches (i.e., tests with P value, ES, and SWC). Therefore, IPC procedures should be revised and refined in future studies to evaluate if IPC promotes positive effects on performance in a real-world scenario with more consistent interpretation.

Citing Articles

Evaluating Local Muscle Oxygen Saturation: Ischemic Preconditioning Protocols and the Myth of Overcompensation.

Marocolo M, Arriel R, Guedes G, Meireles A, Krzysztofik M, Chycki J J Hum Kinet. 2025; 95:71-82.

PMID: 39944970 PMC: 11812166. DOI: 10.5114/jhk/194066.

Does ischemic preconditioning enhance sports performance more than placebo or no intervention? A systematic review with meta-analysis.

Souza H, Oliveira G, Meireles A, Dos Santos M, Vieira J, Arriel R J Sport Health Sci. 2024; 14:101010.

PMID: 39536913 PMC: 11880722. DOI: 10.1016/j.jshs.2024.101010.

Effects of occlusion pressure on hemodynamic responses recorded by near-infrared spectroscopy across two visits.

Desanlis J, Gordon D, French C, Calveyrac C, Cottin F, Gernigon M Front Physiol. 2024; 15:1441239.

PMID: 39324105 PMC: 11422206. DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2024.1441239.

Effects of ischemic pre-conditioning on electrically stimulated contractions.

Allois R, Pagliaro P, Leonardo E, Roatta S Eur J Appl Physiol. 2024; 125(1):119-129.

PMID: 39168899 PMC: 11747073. DOI: 10.1007/s00421-024-05577-1.

Effects of Ischemic Preconditioning on Sport-Specific Performance in Highly Trained Taekwondo Athletes.

Albuquerque M, Flor C, Ribeiro A, Mesquita P, Franchini E, Laurentino G Sports (Basel). 2024; 12(7).

PMID: 39058070 PMC: 11280546. DOI: 10.3390/sports12070179.

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