Abstract
Introduction: The aim of this study was to determine whether calf compression sleeves (CS) affects physiological and biomechanical parameters, exercise performance, and perceived sensations of muscle fatigue, pain and soreness during prolonged (~2 h 30 min) outdoor trail running.Methods: Fourteen healthy trained males took part in a randomized, cross-over study consisting in two identical 24-km trail running sessions (each including one bout of running at constant rate on moderately flat terrain, and one period of all-out running on hilly terrain) wearing either degressive CS (23 ± 2 mmHg) or control sleeves (CON, <4 mmHg). Running time, heart rate and muscle oxygenation of the medial gastrocnemius muscle (measured using portable near-infrared spectroscopy) were monitored continuously. Muscle functional capabilities (power, stiffness) were determined using 20 s of maximal hopping before and after both sessions. Running biomechanics (kinematics, vertical and leg stiffness) were determined at 12 km·h−1 at the beginning, during, and at the end of both sessions. Exercise-induced Achilles tendon pain and delayed onset calf muscles soreness (DOMS) were assessed using visual analog scales.Results: Muscle oxygenation increased significantly in CS compared to CON at baseline and immediately after exercise (p < 0.05), without any difference in deoxygenation kinetics during the run, and without any significant change in run times. Wearing CS was associated with (i) higher aerial time and leg stiffness in running at constant rate, (ii) with lower ground contact time, higher leg stiffness, and higher vertical stiffness in all-out running, and (iii) with lower ground contact time in hopping. Significant DOMS were induced in both CS and CON (>6 on a 10-cm scale) with no difference between conditions. However, Achilles tendon pain was significantly lower after the trial in CS than CON (p < 0.05).Discussion: Calf compression did not modify muscle oxygenation during ~2 h 30 of trail running but significantly changed running biomechanics and lower limb muscle functional capabilities toward a more dynamic behavior compared to control session. However, wearing compression sleeves did not affect performance and exercise-induced DOMS, while it minimized Achilles tendon pain immediately after running.
Highlights
The aim of this study was to determine whether calf compression sleeves (CS) affects physiological and biomechanical parameters, exercise performance, and perceived sensations of muscle fatigue, pain and soreness during prolonged (∼2 h 30 min) outdoor trail running
It has been largely demonstrated that compression garments improve perfusion and increase local muscle oxygenation at rest (Bochmann et al, 2005; Bringard et al, 2006), so that many of its expected ergogenic effects are dependent on the subsequent compensation of local oxygen deficit contracted during exercise and fastening of energy stocks reconstitution (Di Prampero et al, 1983)
There was a significant increase in calf delayed onset of muscle soreness (DOMS) up to 48 h after the test (p < 0.001, η2p = 0.79), but there were no effects of condition (p = 0.903, η2p = 0.001) or interaction (p = 0.638, η2p = 0.04) (Figure 4). This randomized, cross-over controlled study aimed to measure the effects of wearing calf compression sleeves compared to control garments during prolonged trail running on physiological and biomechanical parameters, exercise performance, and subjective perception of muscle fatigue, pain and soreness
Summary
The aim of this study was to determine whether calf compression sleeves (CS) affects physiological and biomechanical parameters, exercise performance, and perceived sensations of muscle fatigue, pain and soreness during prolonged (∼2 h 30 min) outdoor trail running. This abundant but heterogeneous literature may underline probable task-dependent ergogenic effects of the compression when used during exercise
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