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Effects of graduated compression stockings on skin temperature after running.

High skin temperatures reduce the thermal gradient between the core and the skin and they can lead to a reduction in performance and increased risk of injury. Graduated compression stockings have become popular among runners in the last years and their use may influence the athletes thermoregulation. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of graduated compression stockings on skin temperature during running in a moderate indoor environment. Forty-four runners performed two running tests lasting 30min (10min of warm-up and 20min at 75% of their maximal aerobic speed) with and without graduated compressive stockings. Skin temperature was measured in 12 regions of interest on the lower limb by infrared thermography before and after running. Heart rate and perception of fatigue were assessed during the last minute of the running test. Compression stockings resulted in greater increase of temperature (p=0.002 and ES=2.2, 95% CI [0.11-0.45°C]) not only in the body regions in contact (tibialis anterior, ankle anterior and gastrocnemius) but also in the body regions that were not in contact with the garment (vastus lateralis, abductor and semitendinosus). No differences were observed between conditions in heart rate and perception of fatigue (p>0.05 and ES<0.8). In conclusion, running with graduated compression stockings produces a greater increase of skin temperature without modifying the athletes heart rate and perception of fatigue.

Can Graduated Compressive Stockings Reduce Muscle Activity During Running

ABSTRACT Purpose: Graduated compressive stockings (GCS) have been suggested to influence performance by reducing muscle oscillations and improving muscle function and efficiency. However, no study to date has analyzed the influence of GCS on muscle activity during running. The objective of the study was to analyze the influence of GCS on the perception of comfort and muscle activation of the main muscles of the lower leg during running. Method: Thirty-six participants ran on a treadmill with (GCS) or without (control) GCS. The running tests consisted of a 10-min warm-up followed by a 20-min intense run at 75% of the athlete’s maximal aerobic speed. Surface electromyography of the tibialis anterior, peroneus longus, gastrocnemius lateralis (GL), and gastrocnemius medialis (GM) were recorded every 5 min during the run and analyzed using a non-linearly scaled wavelet analysis. Perception of comfort of the GCS was measured before and after the run. Results: The GCS were reported as comfortable garments and reduced GL activity at Minute 0 (p < .05, = .245) and Minute 5 (p < .05, = .326) and GM activity at Minute 0 (p < .05, = .233) compared with running without garments, but their effect was temporary and disappeared after 5 min of running. Conclusion: Even though GCS reduced gastrocnemius muscle activity during the initial minutes of running, it is hypothesized that the GCS could have lost their initial levels of compression after some minutes of exercise, thereby reducing their influence on muscle activation. However, this hypothesis needs to be further investigated.

Effects of a fatiguing run in popliteal vein flow using sports compression socks

Introduction Although the use of sports compression socks is becoming more popular, there is still a lack of knowledge regarding the helpfulness of these garments for physical movement or sports use. One of the main effects attributed to the use of compression sock is the facilitation of venous blood flow return which is thought to improve performance and recovery. Methodology In this study, 10 trained runners performed 2 treadmill running tests for 30 min to 75% of their maximum aerobic speed, without sports socks (control) and with different sports compression socks. We measured popliteal vein flow volume before and after each test using magnetic resonance imaging. Results and discussion No differences were observed between the conditions before the test (p > 0.05), but there were differences between the high compression socks condition and the control after the test (p < 0.05). Exercise increased the venous flow in both legs in the control (p < 0.001) as well as in the right leg with the high compression sock type (p < 0.01) but there were no differences in the behaviour of the different sock compression levels (p > 0.05). Conclusion The use of sports compression socks with different levels of compression does not increase the volume of venous blood return via the popliteal vein in trained athletes after running for 30 min.

Influence of compression sportswear on recovery and performance: A systematic review:

Compression garments are becoming increasingly popular among sportspeople who wish to improve performance and reduce their exercise discomfort and risk of injury. However, evidence for such effects is scarce. This paper presents the evidence following a review of the literature evaluating the effects of the application of compression garments on sports performance and recovery after exercise. The literature reviewed was the result of a search on the Web of Science, PubMed, and SPORTDiscus electronic databases for studies which analysed the effect of compression garments on physiological, psychological, and biomechanical parameters during and after exercise. These search criteria were met by 40 studies. Most studies do not demonstrate any beneficial effect on performance, immediate recovery, or delay in the appearance of muscle pain. They do, however, show a positive trend towards a beneficial effect during recovery: the subsequent performance improved in five of the eight studies where it was measured, and the perception of muscle damage was reduced in five of six studies. In summary, the use of compression garments during recovery from exercise appears to be beneficial, although the factors explaining this efficacy have yet to be established. No adverse effects of the use of compression garments have been demonstrated.

Effects of bioceramic textiles used in physical activity or sport: a systematic review

Performing physical activity and sports generates a wide range of physiological alterations and adaptations. Several different textiles can help to improve some of these processes. The purpose of this paper is to review the literature addressing the physiological effects of textiles with bioceramic materials in physical activity and sports.,A search was carried out in the scientific literature available in Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed and SportDiscus. In total, 295 records were identified through the database search; after removing duplicates and reading the title and abstract, only 4 articles fulfilled the inclusion criteria. These were thus included in the qualitative synthesis.,The use of bioceramic garments affects thermoregulation, helps to reduce body temperature during physical activity, provide better sweat evacuation and lower bacterial growth, improves performance, and facilitates recovery after exercise.,There are few scientific studies that analyse the use of bioceramic garments; however, it is difficult to demonstrate the validity of this type of garment. Therefore, future studies are necessary to analyse their suitability in this area.