Acute Effects of Ischemic Preconditioning at Different Occlusion Pressures on Athletic Performance Indicators in Male Soccer Players

Ischemic preconditioning (IPC) has been shown to improve exercise performance, but many factors related to IPC administration are unresolved. This study evaluated the effect of IPC performed with different pressures for exercise performance. Fifteen collegiate male soccer players completed five separate sessions in randomized order. For each session, blood pressure cuffs were placed on the thigh bilaterally, and IPC was administered in 2x5 minute cycles at cuff pressures of 0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, or 100% of each participant’s limb occlusion pressure (LOP), the pressure needed to occlude arterial flow of blood to the leg. Participants then completed vertical jump, soccer passing accuracy, and 1,600 meter run tests. Repeated-measures analysis of variance was used to assess differences in outcomes across the five trials. There were no significant differences in vertical jump or passing accuracy across the five trials. However, 1,600 meter run times were significantly faster for the 50-75% trials than the 0-25% trials (mean difference 7.1-8.4 seconds). In summary, IPC pressures below LOP improved running times while not negatively influencing jumping or passing accuracy in collegiate soccer players. Improved comfort and reduced risk from using cuff pressures below LOP may facilitate more effective IPC use in field-based settings.