Ischemic Preconditioning Does Not Improve Climbing Specific Performance in Elite Athletes

Platzer, H-P, Köck, A, Schobersberger, W, and Dünnwald, T. Ischemic preconditioning does not improve climbing specific performance in elite athletes. J Strength Cond Res 40(1): e69-e75, 2026-The aim of the present investigation was to analyze the performance enhancing potential of an Ischemic Preconditioning (IPC) application in elite climbers and to evaluate its effects on fatigue resistance and metabolic responses. In a crossover design, female and male competitive climbers (n = 11) completed intermittent hangboard tests (8-s hanging phases alternating with 3-s passive rests until exhaustion) on 2 separate occasions (IPC/SHAM). Next to recordings of the number of completed intervals in the hangboard test, heart rate, rating of perceived fatigue (RPF), and rating of perceived exertion (RPE), measurements of blood lactate and blood gases (BGA) were performed. Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) was used to examine muscular and cerebral oxygenation. The level of significance was set at p < 0.05. No differences between the 2 conditions were found for the hangboard test, RPF, RPE, and heart rate (p ≥ 0.05). Analysis of variance for BGA and NIRS variables showed no significant interaction effects except for partial pressure of oxygen and partial pressure of carbon dioxide (p < 0.05). However, these effects were not clinically relevant. As IPC was not able to elicit improved hanging performance nor alterations in other variables that would indicate a beneficial effect on recovery, there is no justification to recommend the use of IPC in elite climbing.