Human muscle fatigue and elastic compressive stockings

Abstract

The present study was performed to test if elastic compressive stockings (ECSs) increase muscle fatigability during sustained muscle contraction or if it improves the recovery after fatigue. Surface electromyograms (EMGs) were recorded on 4 leg and thigh muscles, and static ankle dorsal flexion force levels were measured in the right limb of 15 healthy subjects. The subjects maintained a 50% maximum ankle dorsal flexion force (MVF) for as long as possible without and, after a 30 min rest, with a European class I ECS. Finally, after another 30 mn rest, the pressure exerted by the ECS on the skin was measured at standard points on the limb, using a Salzmann apparatus. During the first 10 min of both rest periods, the subjects performed brief static maximum ankle dorsal flexions every 30 s. ECS exerted a 14.3 mm Hg mean pressure at tibial level C. Linear relationships, whose slopes were not influenced by ECS, existed between the maintenance time and both the mean power frequency and the logarithm of the total power of the tibialis anterior and gastrocnemius lateralis EMGs. The endurance times, the force recovery times after fatigue and the linear relationships between the logarithm of the time elapsing after exhaustion and the MVF reached during the recovery period were also independent of ECS. The results show that class I ECSs are not responsible for greater muscle fatigability; but they do not improve force recovery during rest following static fatiguing voluntary contractions.

Effects of local elastic compression on muscle strength, electromyographic, and mechanomyographic responses in the lower extremity

“…Although many studies have demonstrated the benefits of compression garments, the underlying mechanisms are still largely unconfirmed. Furthermore, results from a number of studies do not support some of the positive effects claimed by apparel manufacturers (Maton et al, 2006a;Sperlich et al, 2010).…”

Effect of pressure intensity of graduated elastic compression stocking on muscle fatigue following calf-raise exercise

“…In theory, the mechanism of action of EC garments is straightforward; the pressure exerted by EC garments increases the intramuscular pressure, consequently the cross-section of the veins is decreased and the blood flow is accelerated (Ibegbuna et al, 2003;Maton et al, 2006). Therefore, it has been speculated that EC garments can reduce venous stasis at rest and facilitate the venous return to the heart during exercise by increasing the efficacy of the muscle pump (Alimi et al, 1994;Raju et al, 1993).…”

Reduced muscle activity during isokinetic contractions associated with external leg compression

“…Moreover, some publications demonstrate the benefits of compression, but other studies do not support the positive effects claimed by manufacturers of compression apparel [7,8].…”

“…However, the mechanism by which compressive garments enhance performance via the influences on the function and activity of neuromuscular system remains to be elucidated. Moreover, a considerable amount of studies failed to observe similar positive effects of compression garments probably because of the different locomotor movements that were tested in different experiments and the different materials and compressive levels of compression garments [7,18]. Therefore, further investigations are still warranted.…”