Effect of ischemic preconditioning and beetroot supplementation on anaerobic performance of man cyclists

One of the new training methods to increase the performance of athletes is ischemic preconditioning (IPC). the aim of the present study was the effect of ischemic preconditioning and beetroot supplementation on anaerobic performance of male cyclists.

12 male cyclists participated in a randomized study with a crossover design. The tests of maximum power output and one kilometer cycling time trial were evaluated in the same laboratory conditions. All subjects consumed 60 grams of beetroot supplement and placebo for one week. There was a 7-day washout period between the two supplement and placebo periods.maximum power output and one kilometer time trial tests were performed along with the ischemic preconditioning method. Ischemic preconditioning for all subjects, including 4 periods of 5 minutes of occlusion and reperfusion using a cuff with a width of 15 cm and a pressure of 220 mmHg applied to the uppermost part of the legs. Shapiro-wilk test and repeated measurement were used to check the data.

Ischemic preconditioning significantly increased maximum power compared to control (P=0.027). Although after taking red beet supplement and ischemic preconditioning, the maximum power output was higher than the control condition, but no statistically difference was observed (P=0.09). The time trial of one kilometer after ischemic preconditioning (P=0.014) and also after consumption of beetroot supplement along with ischemic preconditioning was significantly lower than the control condition (P=0.008).

ischemic preconditioning and beetroot supplementation can improve anaerobic performance in adult male cyclists