Metabolic characteristics of ischaemic preconditioning induced performance improvement in Taekwondo athletes using LC‒MS/MS-based plasma metabolomics

In recent years, ischemic preconditioning (IPC) has garnered significant attention in sports research. While IPC has demonstrated positive effects in high-intensity sports such as judo and swimming, its potential benefits for enhancing the performance of Taekwondo athletes have not been extensively studied. This study aimed to investigate the effects of IPC on taekwondo performance and to observe the metabolic characteristics associated with enhancing sports performance via LC‒MS/MS-based plasma metabolomics. Seventeen participants underwent the repeated frequency speed of kick test (FSKT) after IPC, along with pre- and post-exercise plasma metabolite analysis. Differential abundance metabolite analysis, enriched pathway analysis, and weighted gene coexpression network analysis (WGNCA) were employed to delve into metabolic characteristics. The findings highlighted a significant enhancement in FSKT performance in the experimental group. Metabolomic analysis revealed 109 differentially abundant metabolites, including Dl-lactate, hypoxanthine, acetylcarnitine, and acetylsalicylic acid. Enriched pathway analysis revealed pathways such as pentose and glucuronic acid interconversion, ascorbic acid and aldonic acid metabolism, the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP), and the Warburg effect. In conclusion, IPC can significantly increase the specific athletic abilities of Taekwondo athletes, with enhancements linked to anaerobic metabolism, PPP utilization, the Warburg effect for energy production, redox system stability, reduced muscle fatigue, and pain alleviation.