The Efficacy of Wrestling-Style Compression Suits to Improve Maximum Isometric Force and Movement Velocity in Well-Trained Male Rugby Athletes.

Daniel T Mcmaster,Kim Hébert-Losier,Nicholas Gill,Christopher M Beaven,Brad Mayo

doi:10.3389/fphys.2017.00874

Daniel T Mcmaster, Kim Hébert-Losier + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2017.00874

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Abstract

Purpose: The prevalence of compression garment (CG) use is increasing with athletes striving to take advantage of the purported benefits to recovery and performance. Here, we investigated the effect of CG on muscle force and movement velocity performance in athletes.Methods: Ten well-trained male rugby athletes wore a wrestling-style CG suit applying 13–31 mmHg of compressive pressure during a training circuit in a repeated-measures crossover design. Force and velocity data were collected during a 5-s isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP) and repeated countermovement jump (CMJ), respectively; and time to complete a 5-m horizontal loaded sled push was also measured.Results: IMTP peak force was enhanced in the CG condition by 139 ± 142 N (effect size [ES] = 0.36). Differences in CMJ peak velocity (ES = 0.08) and loaded sled-push sprint time between the conditions were trivial (ES = −0.01). A qualitative assessment of the effects of CG wear suggested that the likelihood of harm was unlikely in the CMJ and sled push, while a beneficial effect in the CMJ was possible, but not likely. Half of the athletes perceived a functional benefit in the IMTP and CMJ exercises.Conclusion: Consistent with other literature, there was no substantial effect of wearing a CG suit on CMJ and sprint performance. The improvement in peak force generation capability in an IMTP may be of benefit to rugby athletes involved in scrummaging or lineout lifting. The mechanism behind the improved force transmission is unclear, but may involve alterations in neuromuscular recruitment and proprioceptive feedback.

Highlights

The use of compression garments (CG) has become increasingly popular among athletes, looking to enhance performance, reduce fatigue, and decrease injury risk during training and competition (Gill et al, 2006; Born et al, 2013)
Research indicates that lower body CGs may have trivial to small positive effects on maximal effort jump and sprint performance in trained athletes (Kraemer et al, 1996; Doan et al, 2003; Duffield and Portus, 2007; Duffield et al, 2010; Born et al, 2013; Wannop et al, 2016)
Positive effects observed during dynamic movements wearing lower body CG have been attributed to enhanced power maintenance (Kraemer et al, 1996) biomechanical changes (Doan et al, 2003; Born et al, 2014), and a reduced perception of effort (Faulkner et al, 2013)

Summary

Introduction

The use of compression garments (CG) has become increasingly popular among athletes, looking to enhance performance, reduce fatigue, and decrease injury risk during training and competition (Gill et al, 2006; Born et al, 2013). Research indicates that lower body CGs may have trivial to small positive effects on maximal effort jump and sprint performance in trained athletes (Kraemer et al, 1996; Doan et al, 2003; Duffield and Portus, 2007; Duffield et al, 2010; Born et al, 2013; Wannop et al, 2016). Positive effects observed during dynamic movements wearing lower body CG have been attributed to enhanced power maintenance (Kraemer et al, 1996) biomechanical changes (Doan et al, 2003; Born et al, 2014), and a reduced perception of effort (Faulkner et al, 2013). Combined upper and lower body CG have been reported to increase kinetic and kinematic variables during powerlifting (Blatnik et al, 2012; Godawa et al, 2012)

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