An investigation into pressure delivery by sport compression garments and their physiological comfort properties
Creators: name: Ashayeri, Elnaz
Publisher: name: RMIT University
Year: 2024

description: Sport compression garments have gained popularity amongst fitness enthusiasts in recent years, whilst scientific knowledge on their performance in terms of pressure generation on the underlying limb and the physiological comfort of the wearer remains scarce. The aim of this research is to predict, measure and validate pressure generated by SCGs on the underlying tissue of human and to evaluate the physiological comfort performance of the garments.<br>Medical compression garments, their application, classification and the methods used in the prediction and validation of theoretical pressure inserted by them, were investigated through background research. This knowledge is used as a base, in order to predict and validate the theoretical pressure induced by sport compression garments. The theoretical pressure was predicted using the Law of Laplace, by testing the fabrics comprising sport compression garments for tensile properties according to a suitable method which was developed for the application under investigation. Validation of theoretical pressure was carried out through a linear regression model, whereby measured interface pressure generated by fabric sleeves over rigid cylinders was predicted with high accuracy, having the theoretical pressure as the predictor. Furthermore, the influence of composition of different fabrics within one garment on tensile properties and the resultant pressure was evaluated. It was observed that the amount and power of each fabric within the composition dictates the resultant pressure. The influence of the combination of weft and warp strain on interface pressure was also investigated and it was observed that the introduction of warp strain increases the resultant interface pressure.<br>The physiological comfort properties of fabrics comprising sport compression garments were examined with standard and developed methods of testing. The developed method consisted of the introduction of strain in the weft direction and/or moisture when testing the fabrics, with the aim of investigating the comfort properties of the fabrics in conditions close to the wear applications of these garments. The moisture management capacity of the fabrics investigated was rated as poor. The introduction of strain increased the thermal resistance and decreased water-vapour resistance, surface roughness and friction of fabrics, whereas the presence of moisture decreased the surface roughness and increased the friction.<br>Protocol was developed for taking lower-body measurements, relative to the application under investigation. A group of participants was scanned with a 3D body-scanner and the lower-body measurements were evaluated for participants who fitted the same size category of sport compression garments. Variations in circumferential measurements were observed, which ultimately affects the induced pressure from compression garments. Position of important lower-body points such as calf, knee, mid-thigh and maximum thigh were calculated in regards to crotch height along the leg for both genders, and by comparison to existing anthropometric knowledge, differences in the body proportions of different ethnic groups was revealed.<br>