The Effect Of Wearing Compression Garments On Muscular Oxygenation Following Anaerobic Exercise In Healthy Adults

Wearing compression garments (CG) following anaerobic exercise may mitigate muscular damage and attenuate muscular soreness. However, it is unknown whether an enhanced recovery is related to muscular oxygenation. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of wearing CG following anaerobic exercise on total hemoglobin (THb) and oxygen saturation (SmO2) of the gastrocnemius and rectus femoris. METHODS: Ten healthy adults (age: 20.9 ± 1.6 y; BMI: 22.8 ± 1.9 kg/m2, 3 F) completed three randomized experimental trials: not wearing CG (CT), wearing CG only during recovery (RC), and wearing CG the entire trial (CG). Baseline values were recorded after 10 min of supine rest. Subjects then completed a Wingate Anaerobic Test (WAnT) where they cycled against 7.5% of their body weight in kg for 30 sec. Then, subjects assumed a supine recovery for 15 min while gastrocnemius THb and SmO₂ and rectus femoris THb and SmO₂ were recorded (R1). Thereafter, subjects completed a second WAnT followed by the same recovery procedure (R2). THb and SmO₂ were recorded via near infrared spectroscopy. Data are presented as a change from baseline and were analyzed via a two-way repeated measures ANOVA. RESULTS: There were no statistical differences for the change in gastrocnemius THb between conditions (p = 0.93) during CT (R1: 0.07 ± 0.11, R2: 0.08 ± 0.11 g/dL), RC (R1: 0.09 ± 0.09, R2: 0.08 ± 0.15 g/dL), or CG (R1: 0.07 ± 0.16, R2: 0.06 ± 0.12 g/dL). There were no statistical differences for the change in gastrocnemius SmO2 between conditions (p = 0.63) during CT (R1: 4.1 ± 18.6, R2: 9.2 ± 18.8%), RC (R1: 2.7 ± 2.8, R2: -0.4 ± 23.3%), or CG (R1: 4.0 ± 8.3, R2: 4.4 ± 6.9%). There were no statistical differences for the change in rectus femoris THb between conditions (p = 0.47) during CT (R1: 0.16 ± 0.26, R2: 0.23 ± 0.32 g/dL), RC (R1: 0.06 ± 0.17, R2: 0.10 ± 0.18 g/dL), or CG (R1: 0.04 ± 0.21, R2: 0.14 ± 0.29 g/dL). There were no statistical differences for the change in rectus femoris SmO2 between conditions (p = 0.20) during CT (R1: 0.2 ± 6.1, R2: 2.1 ± 7.2%), RC (R1: 2.0 ± 4.7, R2: 5.9 ± 7.5%), or CG (R1: 3.6 ± 4.6, R2: 8.3 ± 8.8%). CONCLUSION: In sum, there were no significant differences between CT, RC, and CG for gastrocnemius or quadricep THb or SmO₂. It does not appear that wearing CG alters muscular oxygenation following anaerobic exercise when compared to not wearing CG.