title: Cardio-respiratory and metabolic responses to different levels of compression during submaximal exercise.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The effects of knee-high socks that applied different levels of compression (0, 10, 20, 30 and 40 mmHg) on various cardio-respiratory and metabolic parameters during submaximal running were analysed.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifteen well-trained, male endurance athletes (age: 22.2 ± 1.3 years; peak oxygen uptake: 57.2 ± 4.0 mL/minute/kg) performed a ramp test to determine peak oxygen uptake. Thereafter, all athletes carried out five periods of submaximal running (at approximately 70% of peak oxygen uptake) with and without compression socks that applied the different levels of pressure. Cardiac output and index, stroke volume, arterio-venous difference in oxygen saturation, oxygen uptake, arterial oxygen saturation, heart rate and blood lactate were monitored before and during all of these tests.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Cardiac output (P = 0.29) and index (P = 0.27), stroke volume (P = 0.50), arterio-venous difference in oxygen saturation (P = 0.11), oxygen uptake (P = 1.00), arterial oxygen saturation (P = 1.00), heart rate (P = 1.00) and arterial lactate concentration (P = 1.00) were unaffected by compression (effect sizes = 0.00-0.65).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This first evaluation of the potential effects of increasing levels of compression on cardio-respiratory and metabolic parameters during submaximal exercise revealed no effects whatsoever.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Training Science and Sport Informatics, German Sport University Cologne, 50933 Köln, Germany. sperlich@dshs-koeln.de
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Sperlich
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Haegele
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Krüger
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Schiffer
authors.forename: H-C
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Holmberg
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mester
mesh_terms: D056352:Athletes; D003020:Clothing; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D006334:Heart Function Tests; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology*; D011312:Pressure; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D012420:Running / Q000502:physiology; D055815:Young Adult