The effect of leg compression garments on the mechanical performance of single-leg hopping in healthy male volunteers

Full lower limb compression Skins (Trade Mark) garment were worn and included both legs. Single-leg hopping was performed on the dominant leg only. Each garment was fitted according to the manufacturer guidelines and not to a pre-determined pressure in mmHg to ensure a correctly fitted garment. Skins TM do not disclose the ideal pressure range that their garments apply to the wearer. However, this range is reported to be built into their garment sizing system which is based on a Body Mass Index - anthropometrical algorithm Skins TM have developed. Participants in this study were fitted with garments according to the manufacturer’s sizing system. Thus, the findings from the current investigation are consistent with the manufacturer’s recommended garment sizing guidelines. The garment was worn once only for the duration of the single-leg hopping effort with the garment. The task required the participant to perform on-the-spot, single-leg hopping on the self-selected dominant leg in synchrony with an audible metronome (2.2 Hz), on an instrumented forceplate to volitional exhaustion, when the participant could no longer continue to hop at the required cadence due to experiencing calf muscle fatigue or was unable to maintain their position on the forceplate. There was a 10 minute wash out period betwen the three efforts (no garment, garment and sham) of single-leg hopping.