Custom-Fitted Compression Garments Enhance Recovery from Muscle Damage in Rugby Players

Freddy Brown, Owen Jeffries, Conor Gissane, Glyn Howatson, Ken van Someren, Charles Pedlar, Tony Myers, Jessica A. Hill

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    15 Citations (Scopus)
    71 Downloads (Pure)

    Abstract

    To evaluate the effects of custom-fitted compression garments (CG) on recovery from muscle damage in rugby players. Forty-five players were tested for lower-body strength, power, and indices of muscle damage before completing a damaging protocol (20 × 20-m sprints with 5-m deceleration, 100 drop jumps). Players were randomly assigned to wear either custom-fitted (CF, n = 13), or standard-sized CG (SSG, n = 16), or to receive sham ultrasound therapy (CON, n = 16) immediately after exercise. Players were retested immediately, then after 24 and 48 hours. Strength recovery was significantly different between groups (F = 2.7, p = 0.02), with only CF recovering to baseline values by 48 hours (p = 0.973). Time 3 condition effects were also apparent for creatine kinase activity (x2 = 30.4, p< 0.001) and midthigh girth (F = 3.7, p = 0.005), with faster recovery apparent in CF compared with both CON and SSG (p< 0.05). Custom-fitted CG improved strength recovery and indices of muscle damage in rugby players, compared with controls and standard-sized garments. Athletes and coaches would be advised to use appropriately fitted CG to enhance strength recovery after damaging exercise.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)212-219
    Number of pages8
    JournalJournal of Strength and Conditioning Research
    Volume36
    Issue number1
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2022

    Bibliographical note

    Publisher Copyright:
    © 2020 National Strength and Conditioning Association

    Keywords

    • Athlete
    • Rugby
    • Strength

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Orthopedics and Sports Medicine
    • Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation

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