Ischemic Preconditioning and Acute Recovery of Performance in Rugby Union Players

摘要

pIschemic preconditioning has been used as a training and/or pre-competition strategy; however its use for post-exercise recovery is still unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of ischemic preconditioning on performance and recovery ratings following a simulated match in sub-elite rugby players. Following baseline measures, male players (n=8) performed a 40?min, rugby-specific exercise protocol followed by an intervention: 21?min of ischemic preconditioning (3×5?min occlusion at 220?mmHg with 2?min reperfusion at 0?mmHg) or passive rest (control) on 2 separate days. An agility T-test, a single vertical countermovement jump and 30?s of continuous vertical jumps were performed at baseline (–24?h), immediately after exercise, and immediately after the intervention. The rugby-specific exercise protocol induced similar mean heart rates (158.3±18.0 vs. 158.7±16.0?bpm) and perceived exertion levels (8.2±0.9 vs. 8.0±1.0) for both trials with all recovery performance measures and rating of recovery (13.9±1.4 vs. 13.6±1.6) similar between ischemic preconditioning and control trials (best p=0.385). We conclude that the use of ischemic preconditioning does not improve recovery acutely (~1?h) including specific variables related to rugby performance in amateur rugby union players./p.