Changes in cardiovascular health following ischemic preconditioning in older adults with knee osteoarthritis

Ischemic preconditioning (IC) has been studied for its cardiovascular benefits, yet little is known about its effects in older adults with knee osteoarthritis (KOA). The purpose of this study is to explore the impact of a single IC session on markers of cardiovascular health and metabolic efficiency in adults with KOA. Participants were assigned using block randomization to either an IC group or a sham control group. Blood pressure (BP), augmentation index (AIx), pulse wave velocity (PWV), and walking economy (WE) measurements were taken. Both groups were subjected to five cycles of occlusion followed by reperfusion for 5 min each, for a total of 50 min. For the IC group the cuff was inflated to 225 mmHg to fully occlude arterial blood flow while the sham group received cuff inflation at 25 mmHg that did not induce ischemia. BP, AIx, PWV, and WE were measured after the intervention. A small but significant increase in systolic and diastolic blood pressure was observed in the IC group compared to the control group. However, no significant changes were found in PWV, AIx, and WE. These findings suggest that even a single session of IC may influence blood pressure regulation in older adults with KOA, though its effects on vascular function remain unclear. This study provides insight into the effects of IC on blood pressure in older adults with KOA. Further studies are needed to explore the underlying mechanisms and potential therapeutic applications of repeated sessions of IC in older individuals with joint pathology.