ABSTRACT
Objective To explore whether remote ischemic preconditioning(RIPC)can prolong the time of ultra-intense exercise(110%VO2max)by increasing the maximum cumulative oxygen deficit(MA-OD),and the specific ways of energy supply of the anaerobic metabolic system.Methods Twenty-four racquet athletes(22.2±2.0 years;174±9 cm;67.1±12.4 kg)completed three supramaximal intensi-ty tests on a treadmill at 110%VO2max intensity to exhaustion separated with Control,Placebo and RIPC interventions.RIPC was induced on the limbs on both sides(5×5 min alternating bilateral occlu-sion 220 and 60 mmHg for Placebo and RIPC interventions,respectively).Moreover,all groups under-went a fourth test with incremental load,and a fifth test with constant load at 40%,50%,60%,70%and 80%VO2max.Results The time to exhaustion and the MAOD of the RIPC group were both greater than those in the Placebo and Control groups(P<0.05).However,no significant differences were found in the average alternative maximal accumulated oxygen deficit(MAODALT),lactic anaerobic metabolism,alactic anaerobic metabolism and parameters of excess post-exercise oxygen consump-tion dynamic curve of the three groups(P>0.05).Meanwhile,in the RIPC group,the average MAOD was significantly higher than MAODALT(P<0.05).Pearson correlation analysis showed a significant rela-tionship between the improvement of MAOD and an increase in exhaustion time after RIPC interven-tion.Conclusion RIPC can improve supramaximal exercise performance of racquet athletes by enhanc-ing their MAOD,and the enhancement of glycolysis energy supply and lactic acid elimination is a po-tential intermediary of the improvement of sports performance.