title: Intermittent pneumatic compression effect on eccentric exercise-induced swelling, stiffness, and strength loss.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose was to determine if intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) affects muscle swelling, stiffness, and strength loss resulting from eccentric exercise-induced injury of the elbow flexors. We hypothesized that the compression would decrease swelling and stiffness.
  
  
  METHODS
  Repeated measures design with a before-after trial comparison within each day.
  
  
  METHODS
  Conducted at a university Somatic Dysfunction Laboratory.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-two college women students were studied. They had not been lifting weights or otherwise participating in regular arm exercise for the 6 months before the study. They had no history of upper extremity injury or cardiovascular disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  Subjects performed one bout of eccentric exercise at a high load to induce elbow flexor muscle injury. Uniform IPC was applied on the day of exercise and daily for 5 days at 60mmHg, 40 seconds inflation, 20 deflation for 20 minutes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Measurements of arm circumference, stiffness, and isometric strength were recorded before exercise, then before and after IPC for 5 days after exercise. Passive muscle stiffness was measured on a device that extends the elbow stepwise and records the torque required to hold the forearm at each elbow angle.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Circumference and stiffness increased and strength decreased during the 5 days post-exercise (p < .05). IPC significantly decreased circumference and stiffness most notably on days 2 and 3 after exercise (p < .05). The strength loss was not affected by IPC.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  IPC is effective in temporarily decreasing the swelling and stiffness after exercise-induced muscle injury.
authors.affiliation: Ohio University School of Physical Therapy, College of Osteopathic Medicine, Athens 45701, USA.
authors.forename: G S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Chleboun
authors.forename: J N
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Howell
authors.forename: H L
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Baker
authors.forename: T N
authors.initials: TN
authors.lastname: Ballard
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Graham
authors.forename: H L
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Hallman
authors.forename: L E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Perkins
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Schauss
authors.forename: R R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Conatser
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001132:Arm / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012090:Cumulative Trauma Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004487:Edema / Q000503:physiopathology; D004551:Elbow Joint / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000502:physiology; D009132:Muscles / Q000293:injuries* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011312:Pressure