Effects of graduated compression stockings on skin temperature after running.
High skin temperatures reduce the thermal gradient between the core and the skin and they can lead to a reduction in performance and increased risk of injury. Graduated compression stockings have become popular among runners in the last years and their use may influence the athlete's thermoregulation. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of graduated compression stockings on skin temperature during running in a moderate indoor environment. Forty-four runners performed two running tests lasting 30min (10min of warm-up and 20min at 75% of their maximal aerobic speed) with and without graduated compressive stockings. Skin temperature was measured in 12 regions of interest on the lower limb by infrared thermography before and after running. Heart rate and perception of fatigue were assessed during the last minute of the running test. Compression stockings resulted in greater increase of temperature (p=0.002 and ES=2.2, 95% CI [0.11-0.45°C]) not only in the body regions in contact (tibialis anterior, ankle anterior and gastrocnemius) but also in the body regions that were not in contact with the garment (vastus lateralis, abductor and semitendinosus). No differences were observed between conditions in heart rate and perception of fatigue (p>0.05 and ES<0.8). In conclusion, running with graduated compression stockings produces a greater increase of skin temperature without modifying the athlete's heart rate and perception of fatigue.
Research Group in Sport Biomechanics (GIBD), Department of Physical Education and Sports, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain; Biophysics and Medical Physics Group, Department of Physiology, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain. Electronic address: j.priego.gibd@gmail.com.
J I
JI
Priego Quesada
Research Group in Sport Biomechanics (GIBD), Department of Physical Education and Sports, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain.
A G
AG
Lucas-Cuevas
Research Group in Sport Biomechanics (GIBD), Department of Physical Education and Sports, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain.
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M
Gil-Calvo
Research Group in Sport Biomechanics (GIBD), Department of Physical Education and Sports, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain.
J V
JV
Giménez
Research Group in Sport Biomechanics (GIBD), Department of Physical Education and Sports, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain.
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I
Aparicio
Biophysics and Medical Physics Group, Department of Physiology, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain.
R M
RM
Cibrián Ortiz de Anda
Biophysics and Medical Physics Group, Department of Physiology, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain.
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R
Salvador Palmer
Research Group in Sport Biomechanics (GIBD), Department of Physical Education and Sports, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain.
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S
Llana-Belloch
Research Group in Sport Biomechanics (GIBD), Department of Physical Education and Sports, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain.
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Pérez-Soriano
D000328:Adult; D056352:Athletes; D001833:Body Temperature Regulation / Q000502:physiology; D005221:Fatigue / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012420:Running / Q000502:physiology*; D012881:Skin Temperature / Q000502:physiology*; D053828:Stockings, Compression
Clothing; Exercise; GCS; Garments; Skin temperature; Thermography