title: Effect of lower limb compression on blood flow and performance in elite wheelchair rugby athletes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the effects of compression socks worn during exercise on performance and physiological responses in elite wheelchair rugby athletes.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a non-blinded randomized crossover design, participants completed two exercise trials (4 × 8 min bouts of submaximal exercise, each finishing with a timed maximal sprint) separated by 24 hr, with or without compression socks.
  
  
  METHODS
  National Sports Training Centre, Queensland, Australia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ten national representative male wheelchair rugby athletes with cervical spinal cord injuries volunteered to participate.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants wore medical grade compression socks on both legs during the exercise task (COMP), and during the control trial no compression was worn (CON).
  
  
  METHODS
  The efficacy of the compression socks was determined by assessments of limb blood flow, core body temperature, heart rate, and ratings of perceived exertion, perceived thermal strain, and physical performance.
  
  
  RESULTS
  While no significant differences between conditions were observed for maximal sprint time, average lap time was better maintained in COMP compared to CON (P<0.05). Lower limb blood flow increased from pre- to post-exercise by the same magnitude in both conditions (COMP: 2.51 ± 2.34; CON: 2.20 ± 1.85 ml.100 ml.(-1)min(-1)), whereas there was a greater increase in upper limb blood flow pre- to post-exercise in COMP (10.77 ± 8.24 ml.100 ml.(-1)min(-1)) compared to CON (6.21 ± 5.73 ml.100 ml.(-1)min(-1); P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings indicate that compression socks worn during exercise is an effective intervention for maintaining submaximal performance during wheelchair exercise, and this performance benefit may be associated with an augmentation of upper limb blood flow.
authors.affiliation: a Australian Institute of Sport , Bruce , ACT , Australia.
authors.forename: Joanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Vaile
authors.affiliation: b University of the Sunshine Coast , Sunshine Coast , QLD , Australia.
authors.forename: Brad
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Stefanovic
authors.affiliation: b University of the Sunshine Coast , Sunshine Coast , QLD , Australia.
authors.forename: Christopher D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Askew
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D056352:Athletes; D054874:Athletic Performance; D015444:Exercise; D005538:Football; D006801:Humans; D035002:Lower Extremity / Q000098:blood supply*; D008297:Male; D012039:Regional Blood Flow; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D053828:Stockings, Compression / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014910:Wheelchairs
keywords: Compression; Plethysmography; Spinal cord injury; Tetraplegia