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. 2013 Mar-Apr;48(2):226-32.
doi: 10.4085/1062-6050-48.1.26. Epub 2013 Feb 20.

Graduated compression stockings for runners: friend, foe, or fake?

H Jorn Bovenschen  1 , Mariëlle Te Booij, Carine J M van der Vleuten
Affiliations

Graduated compression stockings for runners: friend, foe, or fake?

H Jorn Bovenschen et al. J Athl Train. 2013 Mar-Apr.

Abstract

Objective: To assess the effect of graduated compression stockings (GCS) on lower leg volume and leg complaints in runners during and after exercise.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre and an outdoor running track in Nijmegen, The Netherlands.

Patients or other participants: Thirteen Dutch trained recreational runners.

Intervention(s): Participants used a GCS on 1 leg during running.

Main outcome measures: (1) Lower leg volume of both legs was measured at baseline, directly after running, and at 5 minutes and 30 minutes after running using a validated perometer. (2) Leg complaints were reported on questionnaires at set intervals.

Results: (1) In both experiments, the legs with GCS showed a reduction in mean (± SEM) leg volume directly after running, as compared with the leg without GCS: -14.1 ± 7.6 mL (P = .04) for the 10-km running track and -53.5 ± 17.8 mL (P = .03) for the maximum exercise test. This effect was not observed at 5 and 30 minutes after running. (2) No differences in leg complaints were reported in either experiment.

Conclusions: The GCS prevented an increase in leg volume just after the running exercise. However, this result was not accompanied by a reduction in subjective questionnaire-reported leg complaints. The practical consequences of the present findings need further study.

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Figures

<b>Figure 1.</b>
Figure 1.
Perometer. A perometer uses arrays of light switches made up of light-emitting diodes to illuminate, scan, and calculate the volume of an extremity in milliliters (mL). Lower leg volume was calculated from the medial malleolus to the tibial tuberosity and was measured with the participant in a standing position. Reprinted with permission from www.pero-system.de.
<b>Figure 2.</b>
Figure 2.
Mean volume change (mL), 10-km run. Mean volume change (± SEM) per time point, per leg compared with leg volume before running (n = 13, except for measuring moment 30 minutes, where n = 12). a = statistically significant difference.
<b>Figure 3.</b>
Figure 3.
Mean volume change (mL), maximum exercise test.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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