Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research ›› 2023, Vol. 27 ›› Issue (30): 4869-4875.doi: 10.12307/2023.595

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Ischemic preconditioning improves exercise performance: methods, applications and mechanisms

Wang Zhou1, 2, Wu Ying1, 2   

  1. 1Beijing Sport University, Beijing 100084, China; 2Laboratory of Sports Stress and Adaptation of General Administration of Sport, Beijing 100084, China
  • Received:2022-10-11 Accepted:2022-11-12 Online:2023-10-28 Published:2023-04-03
  • Contact: Wu Ying, Associate professor, Master’s supervisor, Beijing Sport University, Beijing 100084, China; Laboratory of Sports Stress and Adaptation of General Administration of Sport, Beijing 100084, China
  • About author:Wang Zhou, Master, Beijing Sport University, Beijing 100084, China; Laboratory of Sports Stress and Adaptation of General Administration of Sport, Beijing 100084, China
  • Supported by:
    Olympic Science and Technology Project of the State General Administration of Sport, Nos. 2021592 and 2019634 (to WY)

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The protective effect of ischemic preconditioning has been widely confirmed and applied in the medical field. However, there is no unified conclusion on the application method, intervention site, applied pressure, duration and repetition period in the field of sports. There are also some differences in the effect of different types of exercise performance among related studies.
OBJECTIVE: To describe the research progress of ischemic preconditioning in improving exercise performance, and to provide the best method and theoretical support for the application of ischemic preconditioning in the field of sports.
METHODS: Literature retrieval was carried out in CNKI, WanFang Data, VIP, Web of Science, EBSCO, PubMed and Cochrane databases. The keywords included “ischemic preconditioning, preconditioning, preconditioning, blood flow restriction” and “exercise, exercise performance” in Chinese as well as “remote conditioning, remote ischemic conditioning, transient limb ischemia, muscle ischemia, ischemic preconditioning” and “exercise performance, sport, exercise, athletes” in English. Finally, 69 articles were included for review.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) The intervention methods of ischemic preconditioning are divided into remote ischemic preconditioning and local ischemic preconditioning. The common application site is the upper arm or the junction of the middle and lower third of the thigh. Interventions can be performed on both sides simultaneously or alternately. The pressure is 220 mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa), and the duration of intervention is usually set to be 4×5 minutes. (2) Research on ischemic preconditioning in the field of sports science focuses on cycling, swimming, running and resistance training. Ischemic preconditioning significantly improves the performance of aerobic endurance, anaerobic endurance and strength endurance, but its effect on explosive power is still controversial. (3) The main function of ischemic preconditioning is to stimulate the endogenous protective mechanism of human body under stress conditions, promote the release of opioid, bradykinin, and adenosine, enhance mitochondrial biosynthesis, and inhibit fatigue signal transduction, thereby improving athletic performance. (4) At present, the mechanism by which ischemic preconditioning enhances exercise performance has not been thoroughly studied. It is suggested to further explore the possible mechanism of its positive effects and pay attention to whether it has negative effects, so as to provide a basis for the scientific and reasonable application of ischemic preconditioning in the future.

Key words: ischemic preconditioning, remote ischemic preconditioning, blood flow restriction, ischemia/reperfusion, exercise performance, aerobic endurance, anaerobic endurance, strength and endurance, explosive power, resistance training

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