A comparison of anterior compartment pressures in competitive runners and cyclists

Abstract

Anterior compartment pressure was measured in 10 competitive runners and in 10 competitive cyclists who were asymptomatic for compartment syndrome. Pres sures were measured at rest, after exercise at 80% VO2max, after maximal exercise, and 15 minutes after both exercise bouts. No difference in compartment pressure was found after exercise at 80% VO2max in runners and cyclists. Total creatine phosphokinase en zyme levels measured before and after exercise at 80% VO2max showed a 1 0-fold increase in runners as com pared to cyclists. Anterior compartment pressure meas ured after maximal exercise was significantly greater in runners as compared to cyclists. Compartment pres sure showed no increase from resting values during cycling at 80% VO2max or maximal exercise. These findings suggest that patients with chronic anterior compartment syndrome may be able to cycle without elevation of compartment pressure and concomitant pain as an alternative exercise to maintain a continued degree of fitness and training. Compartment pressures should be measured during cycling in patients with chronic compartment syndrome to determine its effi cacy as a method for maintenance of cardiorespiratory fitness.

Dynamic pressure testing for chronic exertional compartment syndrome in the UK military population

“…However, all patients performed the ELPT, irrespective of Service. Some have reported that the rise in pressure in CECS is exercise-specific34 35 and the stride and gait pattern of the loaded march or ‘tabbing’ is not comparable with running or normal walking. It was noted from patients’ histories that hills/inclines were particularly apt to provoke symptoms.…”

Laser Doppler flowmetry in the diagnosis of chronic compartment syndrome

“…Several methods of measuring the ICP have been described, and most provide easy, reliable and accurate measurement of the intramuscular pressure. 17,18 Despite this, because the pressure increases in normal subjects during exercise 7,8,10 there is no consensus as to the diagnostic criteria. The abnormal limits for the ICP have been variously defined as greater than 85 mmHg during exercise, 19 30 mmHg, 8,10 40 to 50 mmHg, 20 and 75 mmHg at the end of exercise.…”

“…1 The vascular origin of the syndrome is debated, 2 but many studies have shown that high tissue pressure affects the microcirculation of muscle, [3][4][5] leading to ischaemia when the metabolic demand is increased by exercise. 6 There is a physiological increase in ICP during exercise in normal subjects 7,8 and there is no consensus as to the level of pressure which is diagnostic of CCS. [8][9][10] Attempts have been made to measure muscle blood flow after exercise using clearance methods, 11,12 but such research methods are not generally available and is technically demanding.…”

Laser Doppler flowmetry in the diagnosis of chronic compartment syndrome

“…Several methods of measuring the ICP have been described, and most provide easy, reliable and accurate measurement of the intramuscular pressure. 17,18 Despite this, because the pressure increases in normal subjects during exercise 7,8,10 there is no consensus as to the diagnostic criteria. The abnormal limits for the ICP have been variously defined as greater than 85 mmHg during exercise, 19 30 mmHg, 8,10 40 to 50 mmHg, 20 and 75 mmHg at the end of exercise.…”

“…1 The vascular origin of the syndrome is debated, 2 but many studies have shown that high tissue pressure affects the microcirculation of muscle, [3][4][5] leading to ischaemia when the metabolic demand is increased by exercise. 6 There is a physiological increase in ICP during exercise in normal subjects 7,8 and there is no consensus as to the level of pressure which is diagnostic of CCS.…”