Effects of Compression Tights on Recovery Parameters after Exercise Induced Muscle Damage: A Randomized Controlled Crossover Study

Abstract

Introduction Recent meta-analyses on compression garments have reported faster recovery of muscle function particularly after intense eccentric power or resistance exercise. However, due to the complex interaction between cohorts included, exercises involved and compression applied, recovery length and modalities, and outcome parameters selected, only limited practical recommendations can be drawn from these studies. Thus, our aim was to determine the effect of compression tights on recovery from high mechanical and metabolic stress monitored over a longer recovery period. Material and Methods Using a crossover design, 19 resistance-trained 4th/5th Division German handball players (31.3±7.7 years; 24.1±3.8 kg/m2) were randomly assigned at the start of the project to the compression tight (recovery-pro-tights, cep, Bayreuth, Germany) or the control group. Immediately after a combined lower extremity resistance training and electromyostimulation, participants had to wear compression tights. Compression was applied initially for 24 h and then 12 h intermitted by 12 h of nonuse for a total of 96 h. Primary study endpoint was maximum isokinetic hip/leg-extensor strength (MIES) as determined by a leg-press. Secondary endpoint was lower extremity power as assessed by a counter movement jump. Follow-up assessments were conducted 24, 48, 72, and 96 h postexercise. Outcomes were analyzed using a linear mixed effect model with spherical symmetric within-condition correlation. Results All 19 participants underwent their allocated treatment and passed through the project strictly according to the study protocol. MIES demonstrated significantly (p=0.003) lower overall reductions (155 N) after wearing compression tights. In parallel, lower extremity power significantly (p<0.001) varies between both conditions with lower reductions in favor of the compression condition. Of importance, full recovery for lower extremity muscle strength or power was still not reached 96 h postexercise. Conclusion Based on our results we recommend athletes wear compression tights for faster recovery, particularly after intense exercise with a pronounced eccentric aspect.

WITHDRAWN: Effect of Below-Knee Compression Garments on Delayed-Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS): A Randomized Controlled Laboratory Study With Multi-Parametric Analysis

“…The same authors found compression to be most effective for improving recovery from exercise that elicits a large degree of muscle damage (30); just as demonstrated in our study. Recovery from resistance or plyometric exercise has been demonstrated to derive the greatest bene ts from compression (30,31). Indeed, the wide range in exercise designs, including differences in timing, contraction forms, and intensity, has contributed to apparently inconsistent ndings; thus, speci c recommendations for the ideal exercise regime supporting the use of compression have not yet been elucidated (11).…”

Multi-Parametric Analysis of Below-Knee Compression Garments on Delayed-Onset Muscle Soreness

“…The same authors found compression to be most effective for improving recovery from exercise that elicits a large degree of muscle damage [ 28 ]; just as demonstrated in our study. Recovery from resistance or plyometric exercise has been demonstrated to derive the greatest benefits from compression [ 28 , 29 ]. Indeed, the wide range in exercise designs, including differences in timing, contraction forms, and intensity, has contributed to apparently inconsistent findings; thus, specific recommendations for the ideal exercise regime supporting the use of compression have not yet been elucidated [ 11 ].…”

Muskuläre Belastung unterschiedlicher Ganzkörper-Elektromyostimulations-(WB-EMS) Protokolle – eine Crossover-Untersuchung mit Sportlern ohne WB-EMS Erfahrung

“…Die Autoren berichten von signifikanten Zwischengruppenunterschieden für CK und Myoglobin zwischen kombiniertem Protokoll und isolierter Radbelastung mit einer mittleren CK-Konzentration der WB-EMS Variante von über 2000 IE bereits nach 24 h [22]. Eingedenk des Umstandes, dass die Peak CK-Konzentration nach WB-EMS deutlich später auftritt [5,11,12], ist dabei von einem weiteren Ansteigen der CK-Werte in den Bereich einer moderaten Rhabdomyolyse [19] auszugehen. Insofern liegen die von Wahl et al [1] berichteten Daten bei 3-fachem Expositionszeitraum aber lediglich ca.…”

“…Eine Blutentnahme nach 96 h hätte wichtige Daten über die CK Kinetik (Rückgang/Erhalt/Anstieg) liefern und somit zu Rückschlüssen auf die Regenerationsdauer beitragen können. Aus anderen Studien [5,11] ist zwar bekannt, dass die CK-Konzentration auch nach 96 h im Peak-Bereich verbleibt, allerdings lag die Stimulationsintensität ("Ausbelastung") und die CK-Konzentration (ca. 4fach) dieser Untersuchungen wesentlich höher.…”

“…Eine weitere Einschränkung ist die Konzentration auf ein grundsätzlich sehr sportliches, junges männliches Kollektiv von WB-EMS Anfängern. Dies spiegelt einerseits nicht die Charakteristik des "klassischen" WB-EMS Anwenders wider, zum anderen könnte der ausgeprägte "repeated bout effect" [17,27] nach WB-EMS Konditionierung [5,11,12] unser Ergebnis und somit unsere Schlussfolgerungen maßgeblich beeinflussen. Ein weiterer Nachteil dieses sehr sportaffinen Kollektivs war zudem, dass trotz gegenteiliger Aussagen der Teilnehmer z.T.…”