Effect of 4 weeks ischemic preconditioning on VEGF, lactate response and fatigue index after intensive exercise

Acute ischemic preconditioning improves exercise performance. This study was done to determine the effect of four weeks of ischemic preconditioning on vascular grow factor (VEGF), lactate metabolism and fatigue indices.

In this clinical trial study, twenty inactive young men were randomly divided experimental (n=10) and control (n=10) groups. Subjects in experimental group perceived ischemic preconditioning (consisted of four 5-minute cycles of ischemia, followed by five minutes of reperfusion) for four weeks prior training. Blood samples were taken in the rest in order to measuring of VEGF. 48 hours prior and after the last intervention session, subjects performed an anaerobic Wingate test and rating the perceived exertion immediately and blood lactate were measured before, immediately, 5, 10 and 15 min after of Wingate test.

4-week IPC treatment significantly increased VEGF in compared to control group (138.2±8.2 vs 160.1±10.3) (P<0.05). Rating of perceived exertion (6.4±0.5 vs 6±0.1) and lactate accumulation in 15 min after exercise was significantly lower in experimental group in compare to controls (4.1±0.8 vs 5.6±1.2) (P<0.05). There was no significant difference between groups for power output (745.2±131.6 vs 769.7±148.6) and fatigue index (50.58±7.2 vs 46.2±11.8).

Four weeks of ischemic preconditioning increase VEGF and reduce rating the perceived exertion and blood lactate after intensive exercise in inactive young men.