Changes in Tissue Oxygen Saturation with Well- and Tight-Fitted Compression Sleeves During an Incremental Exercise on Treadmill

[Background]Effects of lower-limb compression garments on hemodynamics during walking or running remain unclear.[Objectives]The purpose was to examine the changes in tissue oxygen saturation (StO₂) with well- and tight-fitted compression sleeves - before, during and after an exercise on treadmill.[Methods]14 athletes came to the laboratory three times to complete the same session with or without well- (COMP) and tight-fitted (COMP+) calf compression sleeves. The session included an incremental exercise on treadmill: 2 min at each intensity - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 km/h - each was preceded and followed by a 10-minute rest in a seated position. Calf StO₂ was recorded using near infrared spectroscopy before, during and after the exercise.[Results]StO₂ significantly increased with COMP and COMP+ before (+ 25.2 ± 2.7 % and +22.5 ± 2.7 %) and after the exercise (+ 11.0 ± 1.5 % and +10.2 ± 1.7 %). StO₂ also increased while walking but declined as the intensity progressed (+ 14.6 ± 1.9 %, +11.7 ± 1.7 %, +8.5 ± 1.8 %, +8.1 ± 1.8 %, + 5.2 ± 1.7, +3.1 ± 2.0 % and -1.3 ± 4.0 % with COMP vs. +11.3 ± 2.0 %, +8.5 ± 1.7 %, +6.0 ± 1.9 %, +5.9 ± 1.7 %, + 2.9 ± 1.6 %, -0.2 ± 2.2 % and -6.5 ± 3.6 % with COMP+). With COMP+ the significance phased out earlier (2 km/h vs. 4 km/h with COMP) and was altered at 7 km/h (while the effects were trivial with COMP). The differential was considered small compared to without (Cohen’s d = - 0.38; 95 % CI -5.46 to 4.69) and COMP (d = 0.27; 95 % CI -5.30 to 5.84).[Conclusions]This study gives ground to the hypothesis that wearing calf compression sleeves may be useful during prolonged efforts involving sections of low-velocity walks (i.e. < 6 km/h such as Nordic walking or ultra-trail races), by virtue of their effect on StO₂. It also appears that compression sleeves could be useful in re-oxygenating tired muscles after exercise. Finally this work provides information about the modalities for using compression garments. Indeed, using very tight-fitted compression garments may alter the hemodynamics and potentially jeopardize performances.