Effect of Compression Garments on Cardiovascular Function during Recovery Phase

© 2018 IEEE. The aim of this present research was to determine whether the cardiovascular function has been affected by wearing compression garments during the recovery phase. Fourteen subjects (men, n=7; women, n=7; 24.7 ± 4.5 years, 166.0 ± 7.6 cm; 60.9 ± 12.0 kg) completed a running protocol on a treadmill. Each subject participated in two running experiments, using either compression garments (CGs) or non- compression garments (NCGs) during exercise and 2 hours recovering time. Electrocardiogram (ECG) signals were collected during 2 hours recovery using wearable sensors. The present work indicated a statistically significant difference between CGs and NCGs from 90 minutes recovery onwards (p <0.05). ECG parameters showed some significant difference in heart rate (HR), ST and corrected QT (QTc) (p <0.05). Therefore, the cardiovascular function was positively influenced by the application of CGs during the recovery phase

The relationship between compression garments and electrocardiogram signals during exercise and recovery phase

© 2019 The Author(s). Background: The direction of the current research was to investigate whether electrocardiogram (ECG) signals have been impacted by using compression garments during exercise and recovery phase. Each subject is non-athletes, conducted two running tests, wearing either non-compression garments (NCGs) or compression garments (CGs) throughout experiments and 2-h of the recovery phase. Experiment 1 (number of participants (n) = 8; 61.4 ± 13.7 kg, 25.1 ± 3.8 years, 165.9 ± 8.3 cm) focused on the exercising phase while Experiment 2 (n = 14; 60.9 ± 12.0 kg, 24.7 ± 4.5 years, 166.0 ± 7.6 cm) concentrated on the recovery phase. Electrocardiogram (ECG) data were collected through wearable biosensors. Results: The results demonstrated a significant difference between compression garments and non-compression garments at the end of the tests and from 90 min onwards during the recovery phase (p < 0.05). Corrected QT (QTc), ST interval and heart rate (HR) indicated the significant difference between NCGs and CGs. Conclusion: Based on the findings, the utilization of compression garments showed a positive influence in non-athletes based on the quicker recovery in HR, ST, and QTc

Effect of Lower Body Compression Garments on Hemodynamics in Response to Running Session

Purpose. Compression garments are often worn during exercise and allegedly have ergogenic and/or physiological effects. In this study, we compared hemodynamics and running performance while wearing compression and loose-fit breeches. We hypothesized that in neutral-warm environment compression breeches impair performance by diminishing body cooling via evaporative sweat loss and redistributing blood from active musculature to skin leading to a larger rise in body temperature and prolonging recovery of hemodynamics after exercise. Methods. Changes in hemodynamics (leg blood flow, heart rate, and blood pressure during orthoclinostatic test), calf muscle tissue oxygenation, and skin and core temperatures were measured in response to 30 min running (simulation of aerobic training session) followed by maximal 400 m sprint (evaluation of running performance) in recreationally active females (25.1±4.2 yrs; 63.0±8.6 kg) wearing compression or loose-fit breeches in randomized fashion. Results. Wearing compression breeches resulted in larger skin temperature rise under the garment during exercise and recovery (by about 1°C, P<0.05; statistical power > 85%), while core temperature dynamics and other measured parameters including circulation, running performance, and sensations were similar compared to wearing loose-fit breeches (P>0.05). Conclusion. Compared with loose-fit breeches, compression breeches have neither positive nor negative physiological and performance effects for females running in thermoneutral environment

Lower Limb Graduated Compression Garments Modulate Autonomic Nervous System and Improve Post-Training Recovery Measured via Heart Rate Variability

International Journal of Exercise Science 13(7): 1794-1806, 2020. Prior studies have examined the benefits of graduated compression garments (GCG) with regards to diverse exercise regimens; however, the relationship between GCG and the autonomic nervous system (ANS) has not been fully explored. The aim of this study was to examine Heart Rate Variability (HRV) trends—a proxy for ANS modulation—in response to donning GCG during a progressive overload training regimen designed to induce overtraining. Ten college-aged male novice runners were recruited for the 8-week crossover study. After three weeks of monitored free living, participants were randomized and blinded to an intervention group that donned a lower-body GCG during a two-week exercise regimen or a control group that donned a visually identical but non-compressive sham during identical training. No significant difference in HRV was calculated by the natural logarithm of the root mean square of successive RR-interval differences (lnRMSSD) between the 3-week free-living baseline and GCG intervention periods (P = 0.3040). The mean lnRMSSD was greater during the free-living phase and GCG intervention compared to the sham placebo (P \u3c 0.001 and \u3c0.001 respectively). With regard to the daily fluctuation of lnRMSSD, no significant differences were found between free-living and intervention (P = 1.000). Conversely, the intervention period demonstrated reduced daily fluctuation of lnRMSSD relative to the Sham placebo group (P = 0.010). These novel findings posit that post training use of a commercially available graduated compression garment in novice runners may be effective in counteracting some deleterious effects from overtraining while attenuating its effects on vagally-mediated HRV

Performance optimisation through the use of compression garments and biosensors

University of Technology Sydney. Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology.It is well known that exercise-induced muscle damage and the disruption of metabolic processes occur in individuals who are not accustomed to intensive physical activity. Disruption in the muscles’ contractile elements and metabolic processes results in a reduction in sports performance and muscle power output alike. There were three main aims of the current study, and the first aim was to determine whether compression garments (CGs) affected cardiovascular function during exercise of running trainers. The second aim was to establish whether electrocardiogram (ECG) signals are affected by wearing CGs on the recovery phase. The last purpose was to investigate the relationship between brain activity and the application of CGs. Subjects randomly performed the experiments in different garments including compression garments and non-compression garments. ECG and EEG sensor collected the electrical signals based on the electrodes attached to the body. The sensors of ECG-Flex/Pro were used for the collection of cardiovascular signal through lead II position. Besides, the raw EEG signal were collected from the surface of head via O1 position using Flexcomp Infiniti Monitor. Parameters were compared based on paired t-tests. Statistical significance was reported when the p-value was lower than 0.05. As part of the study, participants completed the designed protocols for data collection. In Experiment 1, eight subjects (women, n=3; men, n=5; 25.1 ± 3.8 yrs; 61.4 ± 13.7 kg; 165.9 ± 8.3 cm; 19.6 ± 4.4 kg.m-2) completed a running protocol for ECG collection wearing non-compression garments (NCGs), under-size compression garments (UCGs) and correct-size compression garments (CCGs). Experiment 2 (n=14; 24.7±4.5 years, 166.0±7.6 cm; 60.9±12.0 kg) concentrated on the recovery phase. In Experiment 3, ten subjects (men, n=5; women, n=5; 24.1 ± 4.5 yrs; 58.7 ± 11.0 kg; 163.6 ± 7.7 cm; 21.77 ± 2.63 kg.m-2) completed the tests with electroencephalography (EEG) collection wearing no-compression garments (NCGs) and fitted compression garments (CCGs). Electrocardiogram (ECG) and electroencephalogram (EEG) signals were collected using wearable bio-sensors. In Experiment 1, results obtained indicated significant alteration (p < 0.05) in heart rate between both correctly fitted compression garments (CCGs), undersize compression garments (UCGs), and non-compression garments (NCGs). QT intervals (QT), corrected of QT intervals (QTc) was demonstrated significant difference in UCGs compared with NCGs. The results of Experiment 2 indicated a significant difference between CGs and NCGs at the end of the running test and from 90 minutes onwards during the recovery phase (p < 0.05). ECG parameters showed some significant difference in heart rate (HR), ST interval and corrected QT (QTc) interval (p < 0.05). Moreover, there were significant differences in alpha, beta and theta power spectral density between CCGs and NCGs in Experiment 3 (p < 0.05). The findings of this research conclude that the utilization of CGs during exercise produces positive effects on cardiovascular function and brain activity

Aerospace medicine and biology: A continuing bibliography with indexes, supplement 203

This bibliography lists 150 reports, articles, and other documents introduced into the NASA scientific and technical information system in January 1980

Does the use of upper leg compression garments aid performance and reduce post-race Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS)?

Introduction: Despite the lack of scientific knowledge on the physiological and biomechanical effects of wearing compression garments, there has been an increase in the use of these garments in endurance running. The purpose of this study was to compare the performance, pain and thigh circumference changes in endurance runners using upper leg compression garments while competing against runners who did not use compression garments in the same marathon race. Methods: A randomised controlled intervention study was conducted in endurance runners (n=18) participating in the 2019 Winelands Marathon (42.2km). The compression garment group (n=10) participated in the race wearing upper leg compression garments while the control group (n=8) did not. Participants in the compression garment group only wore the compression garments during the marathon. Various outcome measures of perceived exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD) and running performance were assessed three days before, immediately post-race and two days post-race. Three days prior to the race, mid-thigh circumference measurements were performed. Immediately post-race, mid-thigh circumference measurements, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) pain ratings and Likert scale for determination of muscle soreness were assessed and race performance times were recorded. Two days post-race, mid-thigh circumference measurements, VAS pain rating and Likert scale for determination of muscle soreness were repeated. Results: VAS pain ratings for hamstring (compression garment 2.50 vs control group 4.00) (p=0.04), knee flexion (compression garment 2.50 vs control group 5.00) (p=0.02) and hip extension (compression garment 2.50 vs control group 4.00) (p=0.04) had a statistically significant difference between the compression garment and control group immediately post-race. VAS pain ratings for hamstring (compression garment 0.00 vs control group 1.00) (p=0.04), knee flexion (compression garment 1.00 vs control group 2.00) (p=0.02) and hip extension (compression garment 1.00 vs control group 2.50) (p=0.04) had a statistically significant difference between the compression garment and control group two days post-race. There were no statistically significant differences in any other outcome measures (i.e. Likert scale for determination of muscle soreness, mid-thigh circumference and race performance) between the compression garment and control group. Conclusion: The use of upper leg compression garments is a recovery ergogenic aid which improves VAS pain ratings post-race. The results suggest that upper leg compression garments have a protective effect on the hamstring muscle in runners in the recovery phase. However, since a runner would be in a recovery phase after a marathon, a minor difference would be of little practical advantage since, importantly, there was no statistically significant differences in race performance and thigh circumference measures

Effectiveness, Feasibility, and Acceptability of Dynamic Elastomeric Fabric Orthoses (DEFO) for Managing Pain, Functional Capacity, and Quality of Life during Prenatal and Postnatal Care: A Systematic Review

Conservative interventions for addressing prenatal and postnatal ailments have been described in the research literature. Research results indicated that maternity support belts assist with reducing pain and other symptoms in these phases; however, compliance in wearing maternity support belts is poor. To combat poor compliance, commercial manufacturers designed dynamic elastomeric fabric orthoses (DEFO)/compression garments that target prenatal and postnatal ailments. This systematic review aimed to identify, critically appraise, and synthesize key findings on the effectiveness, the feasibility, and the acceptability of using DEFO to manage ailments during pre-natal and postnatal phases of care. Electronic databases were systematically searched to identify relevant studies, resulting in 17 studies that met the eligibility criteria. There were variations in DEFO descriptors, including hosiery, support belts, abdominal binders and more, making it difficult to compare findings from the research articles regarding value of DEFO during prenatal and/or postnatal phases. A meta-synthesis of empirical research findings suggests wearing DEFOs during pregnancy has a significant desirable effect for managing pain and improving functional capacity. Further research is required to investigate the use of DEFOs for managing pain in the postnatal period and improving quality life during prenatal and postnatal care

Effects of Sports Compression Socks on Performance, Physiological, and Hematological Alterations After Long-Haul Air Travel in Elite Female Volleyballers

Broatch, JR, Bishop, DJ, Zadow, EK, and Halson, S. Effects of sports compression socks on performance, physiological, and hematological alterations after long-haul air travel in elite female volleyballers. J Strength Cond Res 33(2): 492-501, 2019-The purpose of this investigation was to assess the merit of sports compression socks in minimizing travel-induced performance, physiological, and hematological alterations in elite female volleyball athletes. Twelve elite female volleyballers (age, 25 ± 2 years) traveled from Canberra (Australia) to Manila (Philippines), and were assigned to 1 of 2 conditions; compression socks (COMP, n = 6) worn during travel or a passive control (CON, n = 6). Dependent measures included countermovement jump (CMJ) performance, subjective ratings of well-being, cardiovascular function, calf girth, and markers of blood clotting, collected before (-24 hours, CMJ; -12 hours, all measures), during (+6.5 and +9 hours, subjective ratings and cardiovascular function), and after (+12 hours, all measures except CMJ; +24 hours and +48 hours, CMJ) travel. When compared with CON, small-to-large effects were observed for COMP to improve heart rate (+9 hours), oxygen saturation (+6.5 hours and +9 hours), alertness (+6.5 hours), fatigue (+6.5 hours), muscle soreness (+6.5 hours and +9 hours), and overall health (+6.5 hours) during travel. After travel, small-to-moderate effects were observed for COMP to improve systolic blood pressure (+12 hours), right calf girth (+12 hours), CMJ height (+24 hours), mean velocity (+24 hours), and relative power (+48 hours), compared with CON. COMP had no effect on the markers of blood clotting. This study suggests that compression socks are beneficial in combating the stressors imposed by long-haul travel in elite athletes, and may have merit for individuals frequenting long-haul travel or competing soon after flying