Effect Of Wearing Lower-body Compression Garments During Prolonged Running On Substrate Oxidation And Running Kinematics

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Lower body compression garments (CG) have been suggested previously to provide favorable effects during running. One of explanation for the benefits of wearing CG might be explained by augmented arterial blood flow by external pressure applied. Enhanced muscle perfusion can increase oxygen delivery to exercising muscle, thereby affecting oxygen uptake and substrate oxidation. Furthermore, wearing CG might assist the propulsive force by optimizing running kinematics as a result of the elastic nature of the garment, leading to less metabolic cost of running at a given speed. These insights may be advantageous in situation with prolonged running, which is required large metabolic demand under development of fatigue. However, little information is available for effect of wearing CG during prolonged running (> 1h) on energy metabolism and running kinematics. PURPOSE: To determine influence of wearing CG on energy metabolism and running kinematics during prolonged running. METHODS: Eight physical active male (24 ± 2 yrs, 168.4 ± 5.0 cm, 63.9 ± 5.0 kg, VO2max; 54.8 ± 4.3 mL·kg-1·min-1) completed 2 exercise trial in the different days. The exercise consisted of 120 min of uphill running (7% gradient) at 60 % of VO2max (6.8 ± 0.6 km·h-1). The exercise trials included 1) wearing CG with exerting 15 mmHg [CG]; and 2) wearing garment with exerting below 5 mmHg [CON] to thigh and calf. Respiratory gas variables (carbohydrate oxidation) and running kinematics (step length and frequency, ground-contact time, flight time, joint angles) were assessed every 30 min of exercise. Blood samples were collected to determine blood glucose and lactate, and plasma IL-6 as indication of carbohydrate metabolism. P < 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. RESULTS: Time course of changes in carbohydrate oxidation, running kinematics and blood glucose and lactate did not differ between the two trials (P > 0.05). Area under the curve (AUC) of plasma IL-6 concentration for 120 min of exercise tended to be lower in the CG trial (803 ± 452 pg·mL-1) compared with in the CON trial (1,219 ± 842 pg·mL-1, P = 0.07). A positive relationship was observed between the AUC of plasma IL-6 concentration and the total carbohydrate oxidation (r = 0.5, P = 0.049). CONCLUSION: Wearing CG did not alter energy metabolism and running kinematics during prolonged running.