The Effects of Wearing Lower-Body Compression Garments During Endurance Cycling

Scanlan, Aaron T.; Dascombe, Ben J.; Reaburn, Peter; Osborne, Mark

doi:10.1123/ijspp.3.4.424

Cited by 96 publications

(116 citation statements)

References 30 publications

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“…Such garments are commonly worn during exercise and in recovery by team sport athletes, and especially in individual sport athletes such as triathletes, cyclists and runners (Sperlich et al 2010). Some studies have reported that compression garments improve running economy (Bringard et al 2006b), reduce muscle oscillation (Doan et al 2003), lower blood lactate levels (Berry and McMurray, 1987) and enhance muscle oxygenation (Bringard et al 2006a;Scanlan et al 2008). However, only a limited number of studies have critically examined their effect on endurance running performance in controlled settings despite their widely accepted use.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 96%

Effect of lower body compression garments on submaximal and maximal running performance in cold (10°C) and hot (32°C) environments

Goh

Laursen

Dascombe³

et al. 2010

Eur J Appl Physiol

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No previous studies have investigated the effect of lower body compression garments (CG) on running performance in the heat. This study tested the hypothesis that CG would negatively affect running performance in the heat by comparing CG and non-CG conditions for running performance and physiological responses in hot and cold conditions. Ten male recreational runners (29.0 ± 10.0 years, [Formula: see text]max: 58.7 ± 2.7 ml kg(-1) min(-1)) performed four treadmill tests consisting of 20-min running at first ventilatory threshold followed by a run to exhaustion at [Formula: see text]max velocity in four conditions: 10°C with CG, 10°C without CG, 32°C with CG, and 32°C without CG (randomised, counterbalanced order). Time to exhaustion (TTE), skin and rectal temperature, [Formula: see text], heart rate and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were compared between CG and non-CG conditions at each environmental temperature. TTE was not significantly different between the CG and non-CG conditions at 10°C (158 ± 74 vs. 148 ± 73 s) and 32°C (115 ± 40 vs. 97 ± 33 s); however, there was a small (0.15) and moderate effect size (0.48), respectively, suggestive of an improvement in TTE with CG. Lower limb skin temperature was 1.5°C higher at 10°C with CG (P < 0.05), but no significant differences in other physiological variables, including rectal temperature, were observed between garment conditions. Interestingly, RPE was lower (P < 0.05) during submaximal running at 32°C with CG (13.8 ± 2.0) compared with non-CG (14.5 ± 2.7). It was concluded that CG had no adverse effects on running performance in hot conditions.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 96%

Effect of lower body compression garments on submaximal and maximal running performance in cold (10°C) and hot (32°C) environments

Goh

Laursen

Dascombe³

et al. 2010

Eur J Appl Physiol

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“…These show conflicting results. [4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14] Three recent studies demonstrated the effect of wearing GCS during running in trained male runners. [4][5][6] In 2 of these studies, 4,5 the effect of wearing GCS on heart rate was measured; the hypothesis was that an increase in venous return results in an increase in cardiac output and a decrease in heart rate.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Graduated Compression Stockings for Runners: Friend, Foe, or Fake?

Bovenschen

Booij

Vleuten

2013

Journal of Athletic Training

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Objective: To assess the effect of graduated compression stockings (GCS) on lower leg volume and leg complaints in runners during and after exercise.Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre and an outdoor running track in Nijmegen, The Netherlands.Patients or Other Participants: Thirteen Dutch trained recreational runners.Intervention(s): Participants used a GCS on 1 leg during running.Main Outcome Measures: (1) Lower leg volume of both legs was measured at baseline, directly after running, and at 5 minutes and 30 minutes after running using a validated perometer. (2) Leg complaints were reported on questionnaires at set intervals.Results: (1) In both experiments, the legs with GCS showed a reduction in mean (6 SEM) leg volume directly after running, as compared with the leg without GCS: À14.1 6 7.6 mL (P ¼ .04) for the 10-km running track and À53.5 6 17.8 mL (P ¼ .03) for the maximum exercise test. This effect was not observed at 5 and 30 minutes after running. (2) No differences in leg complaints were reported in either experiment.Conclusions: The GCS prevented an increase in leg volume just after the running exercise. However, this result was not accompanied by a reduction in subjective questionnaire-reported leg complaints. The practical consequences of the present findings need further study.Key Words: lower leg, leg volume, venous hemodynamics G raduated compression stockings (GCS) are gaining popularity among athletes in various sports disciplines, such as running. In athletes, increased arterial inflow in the legs may impair venous outflow, which may result in complaints of venous insufficiency. Furthermore, the feet of runners absorb 1.5 to 3 times body weight at every step.1 This may result in injuries such as cramps and medial tibial stress syndrome, impeding optimal muscle functioning during the next exercise.Studies have demonstrated beneficial effects of GCS on venous hemodynamics. The GCS support and stimulate the calf muscle pump, increasing venous return and reducing leg edema. 2,3 Recently, the use of GCS has become a growing trend among athletes, with the aim of improving venous return by applying graduated compression around the calves. This may increase end-diastolic volume, with an improvement of the cardiac output as a result, allowing athletes to perform at the same intensity with less cardiac stress or to increase their exercise intensity and performance. 4 Furthermore, GCS may reduce muscular vibrations triggered by the contact of the feet with the ground, thereby reducing lateral movements of the gastrocnemius muscle, resulting in less traction on the Achilles tendon and less muscular damage. 4,5 Few authors have investigated the effect of GCS on performance and recovery after exercise among various sports disciplines. These show conflicting results. [4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14] Three recent studies demonstrated the effect of wearing GCS during running in trained male runners. [4][5][6] In 2 of these studies, 4,5 the effect of wearing...

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“…[2][3][4][5] In endurance racings, only one study 3 showed a discreet effect of CS (18-20 mmHg) after running on the treadmill, the running time and lactate levels. All other studies [6][7][8][9] did not show a conclusive difference (cycling, running and netball). A compression garment on the upper body 10 also did not show improved performance among kayakers.…”

Section: Clinical Studies Of Sports Performancementioning

confidence: 99%