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THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE COMBINATION OF COMPRESSION AND ELEVATION ON RECOVERY AFTER A WINGATE TEST

Abstract

L. Brinton, L. Covell, C. Stepniewski, J. McKenzie

Gonzaga University, Spokane, WA

Recovery post exercise is a topic that has piqued interest across athletics. Recovery is used by athletes as a way to improve performance by increasing blood circulation. Compression after exercise in recovery increases blood flow while elevation of limbs increases venous return and preload. PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to test the effectiveness of the combination of compression and elevation on recovery in comparison to a control group using passive recovery. METHODS: 11 subjects, ages 19-21, were selected using a convenience sampling method and deemed physically fit after completing a questionnaire. Participants came in for three visits, at least 48 hours apart. After performing a Wingate test, they recovered for 30 minutes with minimal body movement while HR, BP, blood lactate, VO2, and VCO2 were measured. The three trials included a control trial of lying supine for the recovery period, compression trial of wearing compression socks while supine, and compression/elevation trial of elevating legs at approximately 90 degrees while wearing compression socks. Data analysis was performed using SPSS and the š¯›¼-level was set to 0.05. RESULTS: No significant difference was found between trials in Early and Late Recovery for blood lactate (CONT: 4.36 + 1.31, COMP: 3.01 + 2.19, COMP/ELEV: 1.93 +1.44). No significant differences were found between post recovery and resting for the following variables: HR (CONT: 14.55 + 11.84, COMP: 12.00 + 7.35, COMP/ELEV: 10.27 + 8.49), systolic BP (CONT: 35.09 + 23.21, COMP: 10.09 + 9.76, COMP/ELEV: 7.55 + 6.30), diastolic BP (CONT: 21.27 + 15.01, COMP: 12.91 + 4.64, COMP/ELEV: 13.00 + 8.02), blood lactate (CONT: 1.99 + .77, COMP: 2.26 + 1.15, COMP/ELEV: 2.01 + 1.54). No significant differences found for post exercise RPE and post recovery RPE of the body (CONT: 2.45 + 1.44, COMP: 2.36 + 1.36, COMP/ELEV: 2.18 + 1.83) or the legs (CONT: 2.18 + 1.53, COMP: 2.18 + 1.54, COMP/ELEV: 1.91 + 1.76). CONCLUSION: The current study could not determine whether the addition of passive leg raise on compression helped to increase venous return, increase lactate removal and therefore increase the quality of recovery in subsequent exercise performance. Given our findings, it would be more advantageous to increase the time in compression and PLR so as to maximize the benefits of circulation.

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