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Lookup NU author(s): Dr Owen JeffriesORCiD
This is the authors' accepted manuscript of an article that has been published in its final definitive form by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2022.
For re-use rights please refer to the publisher's terms and conditions.
Purpose: To evaluate the effects of custom fitted compression garments (CG) on recovery from muscle damage in rugby players. Methods: Forty-five players were tested for lower body strength, power, and indices of muscle-damage before completing a damaging protocol (20 x 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 received sham ultrasound therapy (CON, n = 16) immediately post-exercise. Players were re-tested immediately, then after 24 h and 48 h. Results: Strength recovery was significantly different between groups (F = 2.7, p = 0.02), with only CF recovering to baseline values by 48 h (p = 0.973). Time x condition effects were also apparent for creatine kinase activity (χ2 = 30.4, p < 0.001) and mid-thigh girth (F = 3.7, p = 0.005), with faster recovery apparent in CF compared to both CON and SSG (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Custom fitted CG improved strength recovery and indices of muscle damage in rugby players, compared to controls and standard sized garments. Practical Applications: Athletes and coaches would be advised to use appropriately fitted CG to enhance strength recovery following damaging exercise.
Author(s): Brown F, Jeffries O, Gissane C, Howatson G, van Someren K, Pedlar C, Meyers T, Hill J
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research
Year: 2022
Volume: 36
Issue: 1
Pages: 212-219
Print publication date: 01/01/2022
Online publication date: 21/02/2020
Acceptance date: 04/09/2019
Date deposited: 11/09/2019
ISSN (print): 1064-8011
ISSN (electronic): 1533-4287
Publisher: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
URL: https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000003408
DOI: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000003408
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