Effects of priming exercise on oxygen uptake kinetics, muscle oxygenation, and metabolic load in trained anaerobic athletes: a randomized crossover trial

Background: This study aimed to compare the acute and residual physiological responses elicited by three different priming exercise strategies, including high-intensity priming exercise (HIPE), low-intensity priming exercise (LIPE), and low-intensity priming exercise with blood flow restriction (LIPE-BFR), on oxygen uptake kinetics, muscle oxygenation, and metabolic load during severe-intensity cycling in trained anaerobic athletes. Methods: ), and accumulated oxygen deficit (AOD), were assessed to quantify oxygen utilization and metabolic demand across sessions. Results: < 0.05). Conclusion: Although the three priming strategies elicited distinct acute physiological responses, their residual effects on oxygen uptake kinetics and metabolic outcomes during subsequent severe-intensity exercise were largely comparable. Future studies should further explore alternative priming protocols and refine experimental designs to better clarify the effects of priming.