Abstract Ischemic preconditioning (IPC) has emerged as a promising intervention for enhancing health- and exercise-related outcomes. Initially recognized in the 1980s and 1990s for its cardioprotective effects in clinical and animal studies, IPC has since garnered attention for its potential ergogenic benefits. Despite growing interest, the underlying physiological mechanisms remain poorly understood, leading to research exploring cause–effect relationship and evaluating IPC efficacy across diverse exercise models, often yielding mixed results. This Leading Article aims to clarify proposed mechanisms by which IPC may enhance athletic performance and facilitate healing effects. Specifically, this Leading Article discusses both the immediate (short-term) and sustained (long-term) effects of IPC. Short-term effects primarily involve acute improvements in vascular function and exercise capacity, while long-term effects may include cumulative benefits such as enhanced recovery, mitigation of exercise-induced muscle damage and adaptative physiological responses. This article highlights the importance of optimizing experimental protocols by extending the time window between IPC application and testing, to maximize performance outcomes, particularly under conditions associated with muscle damage. Future research should prioritize exploring the long-term effects of IPC on performance and recovery to better understand its potential as a reliable ergogenic aid.