Influence of Ischemia on Peripheral and Central Fatigue During Handgrip Exercise

We hypothesized that both ischemic exercise and recovery would significantly increase peripheral and central fatigue. Subjects performed constant power handgrip exercise tests to exhaustion (TTE) at 80% peak power under control blood flow (Con), control blood flow + 5 min post‐exercise occlusion (Con + Occ), occluded blood flow (Occ), and occluded blood flow + 5 min post‐exercise occlusion (Occ + Occ) condtions. Peripheral and central fatigue was assessed via potentiated doublet twitch force (Q tw ), MVC, and voluntary activation (%VA). TTE was significantly different between Con and Occ exercise conditions, but was not significantly different within each exercise condition (Con: 480 ± 143 s; Con + Occ: 446 ± 165 s; Occ: 142 ± 25 s; Occ + Occ: 134 ± 25 s). Pre‐exercise Q tw , MVC, and %VA were not significantly different across conditions. Q tw and MVC were significantly lower post‐exercise in all conditions. Post‐exercise Q tw and MVC were significantly lower for Con + Occ, Occ, and Occ + Occ compared to post‐exercise Con Q tw . %VA was significantly reduced post‐exercise for Occ and Occ + Occ. The current findings suggest that ischemic exercise and recovery augment both peripheral and central fatigue.