@article{article_1718989, title={Acute and Chronic Lower Limb Ischaemic Preconditioning Increase the Sprint Triathlon Performance in Athletes}, journal={International Journal of Sport Exercise and Training Sciences - IJSETS}, volume={11}, pages={246–255}, year={2025}, DOI={10.18826/useeabd.1718989}, author={Sari, Mehmet Zeki and Gençtürk, Buğra and Gündoğdu, Aliye and Özkaya, Yaşar Gül}, keywords={Kalp Atım Hızı Değişkenliği, İskemik Ön Koşullama, Triatlon}, abstract={Aim: This study aimed to investigate the effects of ischemic preconditioning (IPC) on triathlon performance in athletes. Method: Twenty-four triathletes (8 female, 16 males; mean age: 35.43±1.84 years), with at least 3 years of training and competition experience, participated. Heart rate (HR), blood pressure, rate of perceived exertion (RPE), respiratory frequency, and heart rate variability (HRV) parameters (SDNN, NN50, PNN50, RMSSD, VLF, LF, HF, LF/HF) were measured following rest, sham, and IPC conditions. IPC was applied both acutely (single session) and chronically (7 consecutive days) using a sphygmomanometer cuff inflated to 220 mmHg for 5 minutes, followed by 5 minutes of reperfusion, repeated four times. Sham involved the same protocol with 20 mmHg pressure. Data was analyzed using t-tests. Results: Triathlon completion time significantly improved after both sham and IPC, but the improvement was greater after IPC (p <0.05). Performance enhancement was more pronounced with chronic IPC. Increased cycling performance largely contributed to the improvement in total triathlon time. Post-exercise heart rate was significantly lower following IPC compared to other conditions (p <0.05), while no other HRV parameters showed significant differences. Conclusion: IPC significantly enhanced triathlon performance, especially when applied chronically, likely due to reduced heart rate after exercise. However, its effects on other HRV components were limited.}, number={3}, publisher={İbrahim ERDEMİR}