Journal article
Effect of lower limb compression on blood flow and performance in elite wheelchair rugby athletes
Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine, Vol.39(2), pp.206-211
2016
Abstract
Objective: To investigate the effects of compression socks worn during exercise on performance and physiological responses in elite wheelchair rugby athletes. Design: In a non-blinded randomised 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. Setting: National Sports Training Centre, Queensland, Australia. Participants: Ten national representative male wheelchair rugby athletes with cervical spinal cord injuries volunteered to participate. Interventions: Participants wore medical grade compression socks on both legs during the exercise task (COMP), and during the control trial no compression was worn (CON). Outcome Measures: 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.100ml.-1min-1), whereas there was a greater increase in upper limb blood flow pre- to post-exercise in COMP (10.77±8.24 ml.100ml.-1min-1) compared to CON (6.21±5.73 ml.100ml.-1min-1; p <0.05). Conclusion: 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.
Details
- Title
- Effect of lower limb compression on blood flow and performance in elite wheelchair rugby athletes
- Authors
- Joanna Vaile (Author) - Australian Institute of SportBrad Stefanovic (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health, Education and EngineeringChristopher D Askew (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering
- Publication details
- Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine, Vol.39(2), pp.206-211
- Publisher
- Maney Publishing
- Date published
- 2016
- DOI
- 10.1179/2045772314Y.0000000287
- ISSN
- 1079-0268
- Copyright note
- Copyright © 2015 Maney Publishing. The author accepted version is reproduced here in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher. The definitive version is available at http://maneypublishing.com/
- Organisation Unit
- University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Health and Sport Sciences - Legacy; School of Health - Sports & Exercise Science; School of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Legacy
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99447766502621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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