Made to Measure Compression Garments for Recovery in Rugby Players

Study 1) A comparison of the pressures exerted by different compression garments Participants were assessed for anthropometry; including height and body-mass, as well as waist, hip thigh, calf, ankle and gluteal circumferences. All limb measurements were taken from the right side, in accordance with guidelines set by the International Society of Anthropometry and Kinanthropometry (ISAK). Skinfold measurements were taken according to the ISAK 8 site protocol by a level 1 anthropometrist.

Thirty-two of the initially recruited 48 participants (see Study 2, below) were randomly selected and fitted for custom fitted compression garments (CG - stockings), after taking real-time 3D images using the manufacturer's proprietary, digitised method (Isobar, Manchester, UK). The custom fitted stockings (CF) were manufactured to apply pressures of 35 mmHg and 20 mmHg for the calf and mid-thigh respectively. Using a crossover design, applied pressures were compared to those from standard sized CG (SSG) which provided lower pressures (5-15 mmHg) for each athlete. Garments were provided in small, medium or large, dependent on athletes' size and fitted according to the manufacturer's guidelines based upon height and body-mass (2XU, Campbelltown, Australia). Pressures at the skin-garment interface were measured for both garments, worn in a randomised order, using a pressure monitor. Pressures applied at three sites were recorded: font-thigh and medial calf landmarks as defined by The International Society for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry (ISAK), and 2 cm above the centre of the median malleolus of the ankle. This visit to the laboratory took approximately 30 minutes per participant. Means and standard deviations were calculated from the pressure data to ascertain the average pressure exerted by the garments, as well as the variation in pressure across this population. Differences in measured pressures between garments were assessed using a paired-samples t-test (SPSS Statistics 22, IBM, New York, USA).

Study 2) An investigation into the effects of the pressures applied by different compression garments in facilitating the short term recovery of strength and power performance The full cohort of 48 athletes originally recruited participated in a randomised clinical trial (parallel design) to assess the effects of CG on recovery from a standardised eccentric exercise protocol. Athletes were required to avoid strenuous exercise for 48 hours before the start of the study, and then throughout 48 hours recovery. The first session included assessment of performance followed by a bout of damaging exercise and re-assessment, lasting approximately 90 minutes. Recovery was assessed in 2 further sessions, at 24 hours and at 48 hours after exercise (each lasting approximately 30 minutes).

Initial assessment Following a standardised warm up (400 m jogging, 20 leg swings in both the horizontal and sagittal planes on either leg, and any individual stretches usually performance by an athlete), maximal force production (using a strain-gauge - MIE Medical Research Ltd., Leeds, UK) was assessed by measuring the best of three attempts of maximal knee extension. Participants will be seated on a plyometric box, starting from a flexed position of 90o, as measured with a goniometer. In addition, 30 m sprint time (timing gates by Brower, Utah, USA) and vertical jump performance, using a jump mat (FSL electronics, Cookstown, UK), were assessed (best of 3 attempts). Soreness (200 mm visual analogue scale) and swelling (spring loaded tape measure - Lafayette Instrument Co, Lafayette, Indiana, USA) were also assessed. Muscle damage was also be quantified by creatine kinase analysis (RX Monza, Kearneysville, West Virginia, USA) from venous blood samples taken from the arm at baseline and at each time-point throughout recovery.

Eccentric muscle-damage protocol Following initial assessment, participants completed 20 sets of 20 m sprints with a 5 m deceleration phase, followed by 100 drop jumps. Sprints were separated by 60 s intervals. This combined protocol represents a novel and ecologically valid stimulus which combines the mechanical and metabolic stressors faced by Rugby Union players from competition and training. Sprints were timed to provide real-time feedback and encourage maximal effort, and sprints repeated if deceleration continued past the 5 m zone permitted. Subsequent drop jumps were performed from a 0.6 m platform, while athletes were encouraged to achieve the maximum height possible following a down-phase that resulted in the hips dropping below the level of the knee.

In a randomised, parallel-group design, athletes undertook either a sham treatment (CON), or wore CG immediately from the cessation of exercise for 48 hours recovery, removing them only to wash. Garments were manufactured to apply the pressures below, with no differences in physical appearance between garments. Athletes were allocated to one of the following three conditions:

• Custom fitted stockings (Isobar, Manchester, UK) applying over 35 mmHg and 20 mmHg at the calf and mid-thigh respectively (CF)
• Standard sized garments (2XU, Campbelltown, Australia) applying lower pressures (SSG - applying 5-15 mmHg, at both the calf and thigh)
• A sham ultrasound treatment (CON) The CON group received 15 minutes (5 minutes of quadriceps, 5 minutes of hamstrings, and 5 minutes of gastrocnemius) of sham ultrasound therapy (Combined therapy ultrasound/inferential; Shrewsbury Medical, Shropshire, United Kingdom) within 1 hour of the completion of performance testing. Pressures at the skin-garment interface were measured for both garments using a pressure monitor.

Performance measures - dependent variables Recovery was quantified by repeating the initial assessment and comparing to baseline values. Recovery of performance and recovery of markers of muscle damage were measured at the following time-points: pre-exercise, post-exercise, 24 hours post-exercise, 48 hours post-exercise. Between-group differences in the recovery of performance and physiological factors were assessed over time using a 2 way (time by condition) mixed-measures analysis of variance (SPSS Statistics 22, IBM, New York, USA).

All equipment used and methods employed made use of validated measures of strength, power, muscle damage and compression pressures.