Systems and methods for promoting ischemic preconditioning in individuals are provided. Ischemic preconditioning is provided by exercise treatments. The exercise treatments consist of breathing exercise regimens with breathing sequences of oxygenating and non-oxygenating phases co-ordinated with stress-relaxation cycles. The breathing sequences are designed to induce periods of ischemia. The individualized exercise treatments can induce optimal number of periods of ischemia separated by suitable intervals to provide effective ischemic preconditioning.