Source: Sports Med., Training and Rehab., 8(2):163-84
Title: Influence of a compression garment on repetitive power
output production before and after different types of muscle fatigue
Authors: Kraemer WJ, Bush JA, Newton RU et al
Year: 1997
Type of reference: Clinical trial
Garment type: Compression shorts – covered area from
waist to just above knee. Experimental ‘A’ garment – fabric
weight 7.7 oz/yd2, Raschell fabric type and Lycra® brand spandex content
of 25%
Experimental ‘B’ garment – fabric weight 8.3 oz/yd2, Raschell
with Weft insertion fabric type and Lycra® brand spandex content of 35%
Experimental ‘C’ garment – fabric weight 6.2 oz/yd2, Tricot
fabric type and Lycra® brand spandex content of 16%
No. of subjects: 40 – 4 groups of 10 subjects –
participated in each of the fatigue studies
Proprioception study – n=12
Oscillation study – n=10
Summary of trial: Compression garments have become popular
in athletic and fitness communities – style, comfort, reduction in chaffing
between limbs when exercising – contributed to their increasing popularity
In a recent investigation (0246) demonstrated that compressive garment may have
performance benefit – subjects showed improvement in mean power output
in repetitive vertical jump performances
Studies have demonstrated that compression stockings (i.e. covered knee to over
toes) and tights (i.e. covered from waist to ankle) promoted venous blood flow
and reduced venous stasis in lower extremities
Purpose of this study was to determine whether compression shorts affect vertical
jump performance after different fatigue tasks (i.e. endurance, strength and
power).
Several individual investigations carried out:
- Fatigue study – endurance fatigue (subjects ran for 30 min at 70%
maximal heart rate on treadmill); strength fatigue (subjects performed leg
press exercises); power fatigue (subjects performed maximal effort jump sets).
Subjects also had to rate feel of the garment and how it may have affected
their jumping ability (psychological influences)
- Hip proprioception (joint position sense) study
- Jumping muscle oscillation (muscle movement) study
Primary findings of investigation:
Compressive garment applied along both thighs enable subjects to:
- Maintain a higher power output during a test of maximal repeated jump fatigue
task in both athletic and non-athletic men and women / enhancing power output
during a repeated number of jumps
Only subtle differences observed between two experimental garments (A and B).
Thus a range of garment fabric and design qualities may afford similar biological
/ psychological mechanisms for enhanced repetitive power.
Obtained data indicate that results may be due:
- Enhanced position sense / increased accuracy of movements or body positioning
- Positive psychological feeling of ability while wearing garment
- Reduction of muscle movement upon landing impact from a jump
Compression garment did not augment maximal powder output for the highest vertical
jump in the fatigue test.
Study demonstrated a:
- Reduction in vertical, but not horizontal, muscle movement upon landing
from a jump upwards / reduction in oscillatory disruption of involved musculature
Vertical jump has been shown to be an important skill for many sports and
therefore improvement of vertical jump has been a primary training goal
Compression garments can:
- Reduce strength fatigue
- Reduce endurance fatigue
- Reduce power fatigue
- Enhance performance under conditions of fatigue
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