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. 2012 Feb;27(1):5-12.
doi: 10.1258/phleb.2011.010084. Epub 2011 Aug 2.

Effect of multilayer high-compression bandaging on ankle range of motion and oxygen cost of walking

K S Roaldsen  1 , B Elfving, J K Stanghelle, E Mattsson
Affiliations

Effect of multilayer high-compression bandaging on ankle range of motion and oxygen cost of walking

K S Roaldsen et al. Phlebology. 2012 Feb.

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the effects of multilayer high-compression bandaging on ankle range of motion, oxygen consumption and subjective walking ability in healthy subjects.

Method: A volunteer sample of 22 healthy subjects (10 women and 12 men; aged 67 [63-83] years) were studied. The intervention included treadmill-walking at self-selected speed with and without multilayer high-compression bandaging (Proforeº), randomly selected. The primary outcome variables were ankle range of motion, oxygen consumption and subjective walking ability.

Results: Total ankle range of motion decreased 4% with compression. No change in oxygen cost of walking was observed. Less than half the subjects reported that walking-shoe comfort or walking distance was negatively affected.

Conclusion: Ankle range of motion decreased with compression but could probably be counteracted with a regular exercise programme. There were no indications that walking with compression was more exhausting than walking without. Appropriate walking shoes could seem important to secure gait efficiency when using compression garments.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Measuring sub-bandage pressure using the Kikuhime pressure transducer (Biomedical Systems Engineering). The pressure transducer probe is placed inside a blue sheet positioned under the bandage to make it possible to slide the probe underneath the bandage from the ankle to the knee measuring sub-bandage pressure at three points: the lateral malleolus, 1.5 cm below caput fibulae and at the knee
Figure 2
Figure 2
Measuring loaded ankle dorsiflexion with a Goniometer
Figure 3
Figure 3
Measuring oxygen consumption while walking on a treadmill with multilayer high-compression bandaging on one leg
Figure 4
Figure 4
Box plot, first and third quartile and range of oxygen cost (mL · kg−1 · m−1) in subjects (n = 22) walking with and without four-layered high-compression bandaging (P = 0.505)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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