The Effect Of Compression Socks On Recovery After A 30-sec Wingate Test

Abstract

Compression socks appear to work by reducing venous pooling and improving deeper tissue oxygenation, and may also increase the ejection fraction of the calf muscle pump thereby possibly increasing circulation. Increasing the venous circulation may facilitate an increase in metabolic waste clearance. No research has been conducted on the effects of compression socks during recovery after exercise. PURPOSE: To examine heart rate (HR), oxygen consumption (VO2), perceived exertion (RPE) and lactate clearance after a 30-sec Wingate test. METHODS: A Polar HR transmitter interfaced with a True One 2400 (ParvoMedics) metabolic analyzer and a Borg's 6-20 scale was used to collect HR, VO2, RER and RPE of 17 subjects (28.6±9.0 yrs, 175.2±7.3 cm, 73.3±8.0 kg, 18.7±7.4 %BF, 44.7±9.6 ml·kg·min-1 VO2max) immediately after the Wingate test and 3, 6, and 10 min after, while cycling at 35% VO2max. An Accutrend lactate analyzer was used to determine venous blood lactate at these same time points. Participants served as their own controls in this counter balanced design, once with and once without the knee-high graduated compression sock (OxySocks: 18-22 mmHg). RESULTS: RMANOVA revealed no significant differences between the trials in any of the variables, p>.05 (Table 1). A paired t-test did not reveal a significant difference in total work without (16349.7±323 Joules) and with (15969.8±329 Joules) the sock.Table 1: Physiological and perceptual responses with and without compression socks after a 30-sec Wingate testCONCLUSIONS: This study does not provide evidence that compression socks effect physiological or perceptual variables during recovery after a 30-sec Wingate test.