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European Journal of Applied Physiology

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01-09-2016 | Original Article

Ischaemic preconditioning does not alter the determinants of endurance running performance in the heat

Authors: Carl A. James, Ashley G. B. Willmott, Alan J. Richardson, Peter W. Watt, Neil S. Maxwell

Published in: European Journal of Applied Physiology | Issue 9/2016

Abstract

Purpose

Ischaemic preconditioning (IP) has been shown to be ergogenic for endurance performance in normothermic conditions and alleviate physiological strain under hypoxia, potentially through haemodynamic and/or metabolic mechanisms. Exertional hyperthermia is characterised by competition for blood flow between the muscles and skin, an enhanced metabolic strain and impaired endurance performance. This study investigated the effect of IP on the determinants of endurance performance, through an incremental exercise test in the heat.

Method

Eleven males completed two graded exercise tests in the heat (32 °C, 62 % RH) until volitional exhaustion, preceded by IP (4 × 5 min 220 mmHg bilateral upper leg occlusion) or a control (CON) condition (4 × 5-min 50 mmHg bilateral).

Result

IP did not improve running speeds at fixed blood lactate concentrations of 2 and 4 mMol L⁻¹ (p = 0.828), or affect blood glucose concentration throughout the trial [mean (±SD); CON 5.03 (0.94) mMol L⁻¹, IP 5.47 (1.38) mMol L⁻¹, p = 0.260). There was no difference in \(\dot{V}\)O_2max [CON 55.5 (3.7) mL kg⁻¹ min⁻¹, IP 56.0 (2.6) mL kg⁻¹ min⁻¹, p = 0.436], average running economy [CON 222.3 (18.0) mL kg⁻¹ km⁻¹, IP 218.9 (16.5) mL kg⁻¹ km⁻¹, p = 0.125], or total running time during graded exercise [CON 347 (42) s, IP 379 (68) s, p = 0.166]. The IP procedure did not change muscle temperature [CON ∆ = 0.55 (0.57) °C, IP ∆ = 0.78 (0.85) °C, p = 0.568], but did reduce T _CORE during exercise (~−0.1 °C, p = 0.001).

Conclusion

The novel application of IP prior to exercise in the heat does not enhance the determinants of endurance performance. For events where IP appears ergogenic, muscle warming strategies are unnecessary as IP does not influence deep muscle temperature.

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Title: Ischaemic preconditioning does not alter the determinants of endurance running performance in the heat
Authors: Carl A. James
Ashley G. B. Willmott
Alan J. Richardson
Peter W. Watt
Neil S. Maxwell
Publication date: 01-09-2016
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: European Journal of Applied Physiology / Issue 9/2016
Print ISSN: 1439-6319
Electronic ISSN: 1439-6327
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-016-3430-y

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on sleep in brain health

Springer Medicine

Ischaemic preconditioning does not alter the determinants of endurance running performance in the heat

Abstract

Purpose

Method

Result

Conclusion

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on sleep in brain health

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Method

Result

Conclusion

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