Effect Of Wearing Compression Tights On Muscle Oxygenation And Exogenous Glucose Utilization During Prolonged Cycling

Abstract

PURPOSE: To determine effect of wearing compression tights on muscle oxygenation and exogenous glucose utilization during prolonged cycling in endurance athletes. METHODS: Ten triathletes (19.9 ± 1.2 years, 172.2 ± 4.4 cm, 62.0 ± 3.8 kg,BMI; 20.9 ± 0.7 kg·m-2; VO2max; 59.3 ± 4.4 ml·kg -1·min -1) completed 3 trials under respective conditions: 1) wearing a compression tight with approximately 15 mmHg [MED trial], 2) wearing a compression tight with approximately 30 mmHg [HIGH trial], and 3) wearing a tight with below 5 mmHg [CON trial]. The exercise consisted of 90 min of cycling at 65% of VO2max. Changes in exogenous glucose utilization (13C excretion in expired gas after consuming 13C labeled glucose), muscle oxygenation (oxy-hemoglobin, deoxy-hemoglobin, total hemoglobin and tissue saturation index), blood parameters (blood glucose and lactate, and serum glycerol, insulin and total ketone body concentrations), blood gas parameters (pH, pO2, pCO2, HCO3-, Na+ and K+), respiratory variables (VO2, VCO2, VE, RER), heart rate and rating of perceived exertion were evaluated throughout the exercise. Time to exhaustion test (at 85% of VO2max) was performed after completing 90 min of cycling to evaluate endurance performance. RESULTS: Exercise rapidly increased 13C excretion, but highest value of 13C excretion was significantly shown earlier in the MED trial (47.1 ± 9.9 min) compared with in the other trials (HIGH trial: 67.3 ± 23.7 min, CON trial: 54.0 ± 9.5 min, P = 0.033). Although MED trial showed significant lower oxy-hemoglobin throughout the exercise (P = 0.003), the changes in deoxy-hemoglobin, total hemoglobin and tissue oxygenation index did not differ among the trials. No significant difference was observed for changes in other variables among the trials. CONCLUSION: Wearing a compression tights exerting approximately 15 mmHg on thigh facilitated exogenous glucose utilization during 90 min of cycling.