Date of Award

7-2025

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Department

Health and Human Performance

Program

Exercise Science (MS)

First Advisor/Chairperson

Matthew Kilgas

Abstract

Rock climbing involves isometric contractions of the finger flexors, limiting forearm blood flow and causing ischemia-induced fatigue. Ischemic preconditioning (IPC) has been shown to improve time to failure (TTF) during climbing-specific tasks, though its mechanisms remain unclear. The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of IPC on hemodynamics and muscle oxygenation during a finger flexor endurance test. This study assessed the effects of IPC on TTF, brachial artery blood flow (BF), vessel diameter (VD), and tissue saturation index (TSI). Variables were measured before (BL1) and after intervention (BL2), and throughout a finger-flexor fatiguing task (FT), including TSI during contractions (ΔTSIwork), and rest periods (ΔTSIrest). In a randomized, crossover design, 24 climbers performed the FT after either IPC or sham in a random order separated by at least 48 hours. The FT consisted of 7:3-second work-to-rest ratio handgrip contractions at 55% of maximal voluntary isometric contraction force until failure. TTF was not different between IPC (225±98s) and sham (223±97s; p = .924). Change in TSI from BL1 to BL2 was greater in IPC than sham (mean difference 4.686, p = .005, CI 1.606-7.766). No differences were observed in BF (p = .843, ηp2 = .002), VD (p = .343, ηp2 = .041), TSI (p = .938, ηp2 = .000), ΔTSIwork (p = .425, ηp2 = .028), or ΔTSIrest (p = .452, ηp2 = .025) between IPC and sham at any time point during the FT. In conclusion, IPC had no impact on finger flexor endurance, muscle oxygenation, or hemodynamics in rock climbers.

Access Type

Open Access

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Jordan Fleury .pdf (73 kB)
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