Effect of 10 consecutive days of remote ischemic preconditioning on local neuromuscular performance.

Background: Most studies focus on the effects of a single remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) session on performance. However, the training-like effect of repeat RIPC sessions performed on consecutive days could potentially be even more beneficial to neuromuscular performance than a single RIPC session. Therefore, aim of the study was to assess the impact of 10 days of RIPC on local neuromuscular performance.

Methods: Thirty-seven male participants performed 10 days of either RIPC or sham-controlled condition. Before and after procedure, the maximal voluntary contraction and muscle fatigue were assessed by dynamometry and surface electromyography (EMG) of the isometric extension of the knee joint. The following neuromuscular outcomes were investigated: peak torque (PKTQ); rate of force development (RTD); time to failure; and the slope of median frequency of power spectrum (MDF) and EMG amplitude.

Results: After RIPC, while there was no change in PKTQ and time to failure, the late RTD and MDF slope were significantly affected. The RTD at 0-100 and 0-200 ms showed 24 and 16% increase, respectively, while the MDF slope showed 24% decrease in rectus femoris.

Conclusions: 10 days of RIPC induced neuromuscular performance changes in the quadriceps muscle. Even though there were no changes in task to failure performance, RIPC showed EMG changes limited to rectus femoris and increased late RTD in MVC task.