Is leg compression beneficial for alpine skiers?

Abstract

BackgroundThis study examined the effects of different levels of compression (0, 20 and 40 mmHg) produced by leg garments on selected psycho-physiological measures of performance while exposed to passive vibration (60 Hz, amplitude 4-6 mm) and performing 3-min of alpine skiing tuck position.MethodsPrior to, during and following the experiment the electromygraphic (EMG) activity of different muscles, cardio-respiratory data, changes in total hemoglobin, tissue oxygenation and oscillatory movement of m. vastus lateralis, blood lactate and perceptual data of 12 highly trained alpine skiers were recorded. Maximal isometric knee extension and flexion strength, balance, and jumping performance were assessed before and after the experiment.ResultsThe knee angle (−10°) and oscillatory movement (−20-25.5%) were lower with compression (P < 0.05 in all cases). The EMG activities of the tibialis anterior (20.2-28.9%), gastrocnemius medialis (4.9-15.1%), rectus femoris (9.6-23.5%), and vastus medialis (13.1-13.7%) muscles were all elevated by compression (P < 0.05 in all cases). Total hemoglobin was maintained during the 3-min period of simulated skiing with 20 or 40 mmHg compression, but the tissue saturation index was lower (P < 0.05) than with no compression. No differences in respiratory parameters, heart rate or blood lactate concentration were observed with or maximal isometric knee extension and flexion strength, balance, and jumping performance following simulated skiing for 3 min in the downhill tuck position were the same as in the absence of compression.ConclusionsThese findings demonstrate that with leg compression, alpine skiers could maintain a deeper tuck position with less perceived exertion and greater deoxygenation of the vastus lateralis muscle, with no differences in whole-body oxygen consumption or blood lactate concentration. These changes occurred without compromising maximal leg strength, jumping performance or balance. Accordingly, our results indicate that the use of lower leg compression in the range of 20-40 mmHg may improve alpine skiing performance by allowing a deeper tuck position and lowering perceived exertion.

Effects of different lower-limb sensory stimulation strategies on postural regulation—A systematic review and meta-analysis

“…Eight studies were rated at a high risk of reporting bias because they failed to report the key outcomes or provided incomplete information on dependent variables [1,7,20,28,34,59,65,66]. The reasons for this were due to incomplete outcomes reported [7,28,65], and failure to include results for key outcomes [1,20,34,59,65].…”

“…Two studies examined the effects of compression garments on postural regulation in athletes [28,66]. Sperlich et al [66] concluded that no significant improvement in postural regulation with the compression garments in the eyes-closed condition, whereas, Michael et al [28] found otherwise.…”

The Effects of Compression-Garment Pressure on Recovery After Strenuous Exercise

“…Sperlich et al (19) investigated the effects of kneehigh socks that applied compression pressures of 0, 10, 20, 20 and 40 mmHg and observed no effect at any pressure on cardio-respiratory and metabolic parameters during submaximal running. In contrast to this, another study indicated that compression garments exerting pressures of 20 and 40 mmHg may improve alpine skiing performance by enabling a deeper tuck position with attenuated perceived exertion; however the authors indicated that the garment exerting 40 mmHg may reduce blood flow (20).…”

Effects of training on postural control and agility when wearing socks of different compression levels

“…These studies have mainly investigated immediate (perhaps temporary) effects of wearing compression garments in elite athletic samples. For example, such research has investigated elite alpine skiers [32], female athletes [21], and young athletes with lower limb injuries [2,10,23,38]. Investigations on the impact of wearing compression garments, such as socks, on proprioception to regulate motor performance have been infrequent, with non-athletic samples.…”

“…In sports, the standing limb in the kicking action in soccer and taekwondo is important to ensure stability needed for successful execution [25,35]. From an injury prevention perspective, balance deficit that occurs immediately after anaerobic stress and fatigue could affect sports performance and might increase the probability of injuries [29,32].…”