Effect of pneumatic and cold compression on muscle performance and recovery in combat sports athletes

This study investigated the comparative effectiveness of three recovery interventions-pneumatic intermittent compression therapy (PICT) at pressures of 25 mmHg and 100 mmHg, cryo-compression therapy (CCT), and passive rest-on muscle recovery following exercise-induced fatigue in professional combat sports athletes. The primary aim was to determine which method better facilitates physiological and perceptual recovery after a fatigue protocol typical for combat sports demands. Forty-eight highly trained male and female athletes aged 18 to 40 years, each with a minimum of three years' combat training experience, participated in this randomized controlled trial. Participants were allocated equally into four groups corresponding to the recovery modalities. The fatigue protocol involved repeated maximal plyometric box jumps until exhaustion to induce muscular stress and damage. Recovery interventions were administered immediately post-exercise, and at 24 and 48 h thereafter. Measurements were recorded at baseline, immediately post-fatigue, 30 min, and 48 h following the recovery intervention. Physiological outcomes included tissue perfusion assessed via laser Doppler flowmetry, muscle elasticity measured with a myotonometer, serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity as a marker of muscle damage, reactive strength index (RSI) obtained from jump tests, and pressure pain threshold (PPT) to evaluate soreness. Data analysis revealed significant improvements in tissue perfusion and muscle elasticity with both pneumatic compression and cryo-compression therapies when compared to passive rest. Notably, PICT at 100 mmHg maintained superior muscle elasticity up to 48 h post-exercise, while CCT produced a more immediate reduction in muscle soreness. LDH activity increased across all groups following fatigue, reflecting muscle damage. RSI decreased initially but showed differential recovery patterns depending on the intervention. In conclusion, compression therapies demonstrate clear benefits in accelerating recovery processes through enhanced blood flow and improved muscle mechanical properties, with pressure magnitude influencing outcomes. The findings support the clinical application of targeted compression strategies to optimize recovery in combat athletes, potentially improving performance and reducing injury risk. Further studies should explore long-term effects and integrate additional functional and biochemical parameters to refine rehabilitation protocols.