RESUMO
This study evaluated the effect of ischemic preconditioning (IPC) on resistance exercise performance in upper limbs. After 12-RM load determination, 21 men attended 4 trials separated by 3 days in a randomized crossover design: IPC (4×5-min occlusion 220 mmHg/reperfusion 0 mmHg) in arms and in thighs, and SHAM (equal to the IPC protocol but "occlusion" at 20 mmHg) in arms and in thighs. 8 min following the respective interventions, the subjects performed one set of resistance exercise in elbow flexion with the 12-RM load until concentric failure. The number of repetitions increased for both protocols in arm (IPC=14.1±2.5 and SHAM=14.4±3.0) and in thigh (IPC=14.3±2.2 and SHAM=13.4±1.7). However, the number of repetitions tended to decrease over the 4 trials and no more effect was found in the fourth trial. Therefore, IPC or SHAM may enhance performance in resistance exercise for upper limbs, but this effect apparently fades over time.
