Effectiveness of Compression Garments on Selected Physiological, Perceptual and Performance Measures While Traversing Austere Conditions at Altitude: A Pilot Study.
Compression garments (CGs) have traditionally and extensively been used in therapeutic medicine. The compression provided by CGs used in athletes generally ranges from 6 to 45 mmHg of pressure, and range from lower leg stockings to full body compression clothing.
Higgins et al,6 found that competitive netballers wearing CGs were able to
cover greater distances at faster speeds when compared to wearing their traditional netball garments (>20%), as well as when wearing placebo CGs (≥34%). The researchers speculated that the use of CGs may improve circulatory function during low-to-moderate intensity activity as well as reduce energy expenditure. Scanlan et al.7 examined the physiological effects of compression tights during endurance cycling. Interestingly, the results reported no improvement in time trial performance, but there was an increase in physiological efficiency.
Research by Doan et al8 investigated the impact of compression shorts on 60 m sprint speed, and vertical jump performance amongst 10 male (age 20±0.9) Division 1 track athletes. Participants in the study experienced significant reductions in muscle oscillations (anterior to posterior) upon landing from a vertical jump and had a significantly greater jump height while wearing CGs; however, there were no significant differences in 60 m sprinting speed. Doan and colleagues suggested that the CGs may have acted as an ergogenic aid by providing greater joint support. This may, in part, explain the greater squat depth (1.8 cm) (p=0.024) achieved when compared to the control condition. Vercruyssen et al9 examined the effects of CGs on physiological and performance
measures in highly trained trail runners following a short trail run.
Sport Exerc Med Open J. 2018; 4(3): 77-83. doi: 10.17140/SEMOJ-4-166
