A comparison of interface pressure and stiffness between elastic stockings and bandages.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the interface pressure during posture changes and exercise between elastic stockings and bandages.


METHODS
Using a pressure transducer (air pack-type analyzer), the interface pressures associated with three different elastic stockings and three different elastic bandages were measured during supine resting, standing and exercise in 15 healthy volunteers.


RESULTS
Short-stretch bandages showed a significantly higher static stiffness index value, which is defined as the pressure difference between lying and standing, than long-stretch bandages and short-stretch stockings (P < 0.001). Furthermore, short-stretch bandages showed a significantly greater pressure difference between muscle contraction and relaxation in both tip-toe and knee-bending exercises than long-stretch bandages and short-stretch stockings (P < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Short-stretch bandages can be expected to have more pronounced benefits for augmenting muscle pump than long-stretch bandages and short-stretch stockings.
Hirai
M
M
Department of Vascular Surgery, Tohkai Hospital, 1-1-1 Chiyodabashi, Chikusaku, Nagoya 464-8512, Japan. hiraimh@yahoo.co.jp
Niimi
K
K
Iwata
H
H
Sugimoto
I
I
Ishibashi
H
H
Ota
T
T
Nakamura
H
H
D001458:Bandages; D004548:Elasticity; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009119:Muscle Contraction; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000502:physiology; D011312:Pressure; D012146:Rest; D053828:Stockings, Compression; D014680:Veins / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult