Ischemic preconditioning and acute recovery of performance in rugby union players
Journal Publication ResearchOnline@JCUAbstract
Ischemic 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 heartrates (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.
Journal
Sports Medicine International Open
Publication Name
N/A
Volume
1
ISBN/ISSN
2367-1890
Edition
N/A
Issue
3
Pages Count
6
Location
N/A
Publisher
Georg Thieme Verlag
Publisher Url
N/A
Publisher Location
N/A
Publish Date
N/A
Url
N/A
Date
N/A
EISSN
N/A
DOI
10.1055/s-0043-111082