East Carolina University
Remote ischemic conditioning (RIC) is a clinically feasible method that protects distant organs from severe injury through brief, sub lethal periods of ischemia followed by re-perfusion. Recent studies suggest that RIC, combined with training, improves muscle strength and balance in healthy adults and post-stroke survivors. While the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood, RIC's neuroprotective effects - such as promoting angiogenesis, neurogenesis, and modulating glutamate and GABA synthesis - overlap with neuroplasticity processes. Evidence indicates that neuroplasticity from exercise training occurs not only in the cerebral cortex but also within the spinal cord, yet the role of spinal reflex mechanisms underlying the benefits of RIC remains under explored. Therefore, this study aims to investigate effects of RIC on spinal reflex modulation in healthy adults, both independently and combined with balance training.
Ischemic conditioning (IC) is an endogenous phenomenon that protects target organs from severe ischemic events by applying alternating cycles of brief, sublethal ischemia followed by reperfusion. Remote ischemic conditioning (RIC) is a more feasible, non-invasive method of delivering IC. It involves using a standard blood pressure cuff on either the arm or leg to induce brief periods of sublethal ischemia. Extensive evidence from both animal and human studies indicates that RIC provides neuroprotection through multifactorial mechanisms involving inflammatory, oxidative, excitotoxic, metabolic,…
Inclusion Criteria: * Healthy adults 18-40 years of age Exclusion Criteria: * Individuals with cognitive deficits or communication problems * Individuals with impaired vision * Individuals with balance disorders such as vestibular disorders, etc. * Individuals who are pregnant * Individuals with known cardiorespiratory dysfunctions * Presence of lower extremity condition, injury, or surgery within last three months which could compromise training
See descriptions under arm/group descriptions. RIC is delivered for 5 intervention visits. Visits 1 is the baseline assessment visit, and visits 2-6 are RIC plus training visits.
See descriptions under arm/group descriptions. Sham conditioning is delivered for 5 intervention visits. Visits 1 is the baseline assessment visit, and visits 2-6 are Sham plus training visits.
All participants will undergo training on a balance board, learning to hold the board level within the 5- degree horizontal range. Participants perform the balance task for 15, 30-second trials per day at visits 2-6.
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