Comparison of Calf Only External Pneumatic Compression and Compression Socks on Performance Characteristics in Counter Movement Jump
Authors: Blumkaitis Julia C. , Ratliff Kayla , Stecker Richard A. , Martin Jeffrey S. , Sunderland Kyle L. , Richmond Scott , Kerksick Chad M. , Mumford Petey W. 
Published: April 2020

PURPOSE

To identify the recovery effect of calf only external pneumatic compression (EPC) compared to a commercially available compression sock (CS) on markers of jump performance following a muscle damaging protocol.

METHODS

19 healthy active male participants (23.5 ± 3.2 yr, 181.3 ± 9.1 cm, 88.1 ± 10.1 kg) completed four testing sessions (pre, post, 24 hr, 48 hr) consisting of: visual analog scales (VAS) to assess perceived soreness and fatigue, three counter movement jumps (CMJ) and three squat jumps (SJ) via force plates (Hawkin Dynamics). After participants finished pre assessments they completed 100 drop jumps (0.6 m) followed by a randomized 30 min single treatment session of either EPC (110 mmHg) n=9 or CS (20–30 mmHg) n=10.

RESULTS

No differences were found between groups for body composition (18.7 ± 2.8 % Body Fat, 61.8 ± 8.8 kg Fat Free Mass, 14.7 ± 2.8 kg Fat Mass). VAS soreness linearly increased regardless of group (p<0.001). Within EPC and CS 24 hr soreness was higher than pre, post, 30 min post (p<0.05); 48 hr was higher than pre and 30 min post (p<0.05); and post was higher than pre (p<0.05). Additionally, CS soreness at 48 hr was higher than post (p<0.05). VAS fatigue changed over time regardless of group (p<0.001). Within EPC post fatigue was higher than pre, 30 min post, 24 hr, and 48 hr (p<0.05); 24 hr was higher than pre, post, and 48 hr (p<0.05); 30 min post and 48 hr was higher than pre and post (p<0.05). CS post fatigue was higher than pre and 30 min post (p<0.05); 30 min post was higher than pre (p<0.05); and 24 and 48 hr were higher than pre (p<0.05). VAS fatigue was trending (p=0.055) towards being higher in CS compared to EPC regardless of time. For CMJ, CS peak braking force and relative peak braking force linearly declined over time (p<0.001), and peak braking force was highest at pre compared to post, 24 hr and 48 hr (p<0.05). For CMJ, CS relative peak braking force was highest at pre compared to post, 24 hr, 48 hr (p<0.01) and post was higher than 48 hr (p=0.025). For CMJ, CS braking phase linearly increased over time (p<0.001), and was higher at 24 hr and 48 hr compared to pre and post (p<0.05). For CMJ, CS braking rate of force development (RFD) linearly declined over time (p<0.001), and was highest at pre compared to 24 hr and 48 hr (p<0.01). No differences in performance variables were found for SJ.

CONCLUSION

It appears that the drop jump protocol was successful at eliciting muscle soreness and fatigue in our participants. Additionally, these aforementioned variables seemed to effect participants in the CS group because they were unable to maintain braking force and peak braking RFD, and took longer to complete the braking phase. These results were not seen in the EPC group as they were able to maintain consistent performance in these measures. Therefore, it appears a single 30 min calf only EPC treatment may help maintain consistent breaking force and braking RFD within a CMJ when following strenuous or damaging exercise bouts.

Support or Funding Information

Funding was provided to P.W.M by MAS Holdings (Colombo, Sri Lanka).