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Compression stockings do not improve muscular performance during a half-ironman triathlon race

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Abstract

Purpose

This study aimed at investigating the effectiveness of compression stockings to prevent muscular damage and preserve muscular performance during a half-ironman triathlon.

Methods

Thirty-six experienced triathletes volunteered for this study. Participants were matched for age, anthropometric data and training status and placed into the experimental group (N = 19; using ankle-to-knee graduated compression stockings) or control group (N = 17; using regular socks). Participants competed in a half-ironman triathlon celebrated at 29 ± 3 °C and 73 ± 8 % of relative humidity. Race time was measured by means of chip timing. Pre- and post-race, maximal height and leg muscle power were measured during a countermovement jump. At the same time, blood myoglobin and creatine kinase concentrations were determined and the triathletes were asked for perceived exertion and muscle soreness using validated scales.

Results

Total race time was not different between groups (315 ± 45 for the control group and 310 ± 32 min for the experimental group; P = 0.46). After the race, jump height (−8.5 ± 3.0 versus −9.2 ± 5.3 %; P = 0.47) and leg muscle power reductions (−13 ± 10 versus −15 ± 10 %; P = 0.72) were similar between groups. Post-race myoglobin (718 ± 119 versus 591 ± 100 μg/mL; P = 0.42) and creatine kinase concentrations (604 ± 137 versus 525 ± 69 U/L; P = 0.60) were not different between groups. Perceived muscle soreness (5.3 ± 2.1 versus 6.0 ± 2.0 arbitrary units; P = 0.42) and the rating of perceived effort (17 ± 2 versus 17 ± 2 arbitrary units; P = 0.58) were not different between groups after the race.

Conclusion

Wearing compression stockings did not represent any advantage for maintaining muscle function or reducing blood markers of muscle damage during a triathlon event.

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Abbreviations

CK:

Creatine kinase

CMJ:

Countermovement vertical jump

EDTA:

Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid

ES:

Effect size

F2:

Second peak of ground reaction force during the landing

LDH:

Lactate dehydrogenase

SD:

Standard deviation

VO2 :

Oxygen uptake

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Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank the subjects for their invaluable contribution to the study. In addition, they are very grateful to the Organization of Ecotrimad for their contribution to the study. This study did not receive any funding. Compression stockings for the experimental group were facilitated by Compressport España.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest derived from the outcomes of this study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Exercise Physiology Laboratory, Sports Science Institute, Camilo José Cela University, C/Castillo de Alarcon, 49. Villafranca del Castillo, 28692, Madrid, Spain

    Juan Del Coso, Francisco Areces, Juan José Salinero, Cristina González-Millán, Javier Abián-Vicén, Lidon Soriano, Diana Ruiz, César Gallo & Beatriz Lara

  2. Laboratory of Analysis of Sport Performance, Sport and Physical Education Department, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of the Basque Country, Vitoria, Spain

    Julio Calleja-Gonzalez

Authors
  1. Juan Del Coso
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  2. Francisco Areces
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  3. Juan José Salinero
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  4. Cristina González-Millán
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  5. Javier Abián-Vicén
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  7. Diana Ruiz
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  8. César Gallo
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  9. Beatriz Lara
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  10. Julio Calleja-Gonzalez
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Juan Del Coso.

Additional information

Communicated by Peter Krustrup.

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Del Coso, J., Areces, F., Salinero, J.J. et al. Compression stockings do not improve muscular performance during a half-ironman triathlon race. Eur J Appl Physiol 114, 587–595 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-013-2789-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-013-2789-2

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