Ischemic preconditioning with active reperfusion does not improve high-intensity intermittent exercise in youth team sport players

PURPOSE: We investigated whether an active protocol of ischemic preconditioning (IPC-A) would improve high-intensity intermittent exercise performance in youth team sport players. METHODS: Fifteen male amateur team sport players (15.5 ± 0.5 yrs) attended four different preconditioning sessions before the YoYo Intermittent Recovery Test level 1 (YYIR1) interspersed by seven days in a counterbalanced randomized cross-over design. IPC protocol consisted of three cycles of 5 min occlusion (220 mmHg) and 5 min reperfusion (0 mmHg) in both thighs. SHAM was similar to the IPC protocol, but 'occlusion' pressure was set up at 20 mmHg. Active protocols (IPC-A/ SHAM-A) were similar to the IPC/SHAM, but participants exercised (intermittent run) during the 'reperfusion' phases instead of resting. Six minutes after the protocol, the participants performed the YYIR1. RESULTS: The distance covered in the YYIR1 did not differ (p = 0.46) among the protocols: IPC (917 ± 204 m) vs. IPC-A (931 ± 211 m) vs. SHAM (968 ± 201 m) vs. SHAM-A (933 ± 204 m). Blood lactate concentration, and mean heart rate did not differ either (p > 0.05) among the protocols. CONCLUSIONS: Active ischemic preconditioning involving exercise during reperfusion phase does not improve high-intensity intermittent exercise performance nor alter physiological or perceptual responses in youth team sport players.