title: The Effect of Compression Stockings on Physiological and Psychological Responses after 5-km Performance in Recreationally Active Females.
abstract: Treseler, C, Bixby, WR, and Nepocatych, S. The effect of compression stockings on physiological and psychological responses after 5-Km performance in recreationally active females. J Strength Cond Res 30(7): 1985-1991, 2016-The purpose of the study was to examine the physiological and perceptual responses to wearing below-the-knee compression stockings (CS) after a 5-km running performance in recreationally active women. Nineteen women were recruited to participate in the study (20 ± 1 year, 61.4 ± 5.3 kg, 22.6 ± 3.9% body fat). Each participant completed two 5-km performance time trials with CS or regular socks in a counterbalanced order separated by 1 week. For each session, 5-km time, heart rate (HR), rate of perceived exertion (RPE), pain pressure threshold, muscle soreness (MS), and rate of perceived recovery were measured. There was no significant difference in average 5-km times between CS and regular socks (p = 0.74) and HR response (p = 0.42). However, significantly higher RPE and lower gain scores (%) for lower extremity MS but not for calf were observed with CS when compared with regular socks (p = 0.05, p = 0.01, and p = 0.3, respectively). Based on the results of this study, there were no significant improvements in average 5-km running time, heart rate, or perceived calf MS. However, participants perceived less MS in lower extremities and working harder with CS compared with regular socks. Compression stockings may not cause significant physiological improvements; however, there might be psychological benefits positively affecting postexercise recovery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Exercise Science, Elon University, Elon, North Carolina.
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Treseler
authors.forename: Walter R
authors.initials: WR
authors.lastname: Bixby
authors.forename: Svetlana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nepocatych
mesh_terms: D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000502:physiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology; D063806:Myalgia / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D010465:Perception; D005082:Physical Exertion / Q000502:physiology; D012420:Running / Q000502:physiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D053828:Stockings, Compression; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult