A novel compression garment with adhesive silicone stripes improves repeated sprint performance – a multi-experimental approach on the underlying mechanisms

Abstract

BackgroundRepeated sprint performance is determined by explosive production of power, as well as rapid recovery between successive sprints, and there is evidence that compression garments and sports taping can improve both of these factors.MethodsIn each of two sub-studies, female athletes performed two sets of 30 30-m sprints (one sprint per minute), one set wearing compression garment with adhesive silicone stripes (CGSS) intended to mimic taping and the other with normal clothing, in randomized order. Sub-study 1 (n = 12) focused on cardio-respiratory, metabolic, hemodynamic and perceptual responses, while neuronal and biomechanical parameters were examined in sub-study 2 (n = 12).ResultsIn both sub-studies the CGSS improved repeated sprint performance during the final 10 sprints (best P < 0.01, d = 0.61). None of the cardio-respiratory or metabolic variables monitored were altered by wearing this garment (best P = 0.06, d = 0.71). Also during the final 10 sprints, rating of perceived exertion by the upper leg muscles was reduced (P = 0.01, d = 1.1), step length increased (P = 0.01, d = 0.91) and activation of the m. rectus femoris elevated (P = 0.01, d = 1.24), while the hip flexion angle was lowered throughout the protocol (best P < 0.01, d = 2.28) and step frequency (best P = 0.34, d = 0.2) remained unaltered.ConclusionAlthough the physiological parameters monitored were unchanged, the CGSS appears to improve performance during 30 30-m repeated sprints by reducing perceived exertion and altering running technique.

Compression Garments and Recovery from Exercise: A Meta-Analysis

“…The large number of outcomes analysed here (79 data-points) compared to previous meta-analyses (17 and 30 data points for the analyses of Hill et al and Marques-Jimenez et al, respectively) may further explain the conflict between results [6,33,38,47,[55][56][57][58][59][60][61][62]. As the recovery rates of these different movements are unique to their neuromuscular profiles [84,85], any positive impacts from CG which stem purely from attenuating muscle damage will vary according to outcome measures.…”

“…For example, drawing valid conclusions on the effects of pressure was not possible, as only eight trials directly recorded compression pressures [21,35,36,53,55,59,62,63]. Finally, the large, very likely benefits reported for strength recovery at 2-8 h following resistance exercise [22] and for next-day cycling performance respectively [35] were both based on the results of single studies.…”

“…Both performance outcomes and exercise protocols were subject to heterogeneity, with power outcomes in particular being subject to varied mechanical, neuromuscular, and technical requirements [33,[55][56][57][58].…”

Pressure profiles of sport compression stockings

“…Results have been mixed, and at times even conflicting. On the one hand, some studies have shown positive effects on performance, edema formation, and regeneration in runners, triathletes, and cyclists . There have also been somewhat positive effects with respect to vascular function, lactate removal, and leg volume, however, the athletes involved did not actively notice these effects, and they did not lead to any measurable performance gain .…”

Das Druckprofil von Sportkompressionsstrümpfen

“…Die Ergebnisse sind heterogen, teils widersprüchlich. So konnten einerseits positive Effekte auf Leistungsfähigkeit, Ödematisierung und Regeneration bei Läufern, Triathleten oder Radfahrern nachgewiesen werden . Teils waren positive Effekte auf die vaskuläre Funktion, den Laktatabstrom und das Beinvolumen messbar, die aber von den Sportlern nicht wahrgenommen wurden und zu keinem messbaren Leistungsgewinn führten .…”