Compression garments do not influence static and dynamic balance performance

Abstract

Balance is the ability to maintain equilibrium during static and dynamic contexts. This quality assists an individual to optimise their body positioning (posture) to effectively perform daily tasks, improve exercise and sport performance as well as reduce the risk of injury. While several interventions and devices are used to improve balance, a particular device that is gaining interest in various exercise/sport domains, is the use of compression garments (CGs). Researchers have suggested that the textile properties of CGs increase the stimulation of skin mechanoreceptors and proprioceptive feedback, thus enhancing movement patterns. Although CGs can provide physiological, mechanical and psychological benefits to sport and exercise performance and recovery, there is conflicting evidence regarding their influence on balance. The limitations may be attributed to research design, testing in non-ecological settings and varied pressure measurement. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore CGs further with specific reference to the effect of wearing lower body CGs on performance in a range of balance protocols. A within-subject repeated measures design was applied to fourteen healthy males (age: 27 ±3 years; body weight: 81± 8.5 kg; and height: 175.3 ± 3.6 cm) who completed a battery of common balance tests that assessed both static and dynamic balance. These tests included a single leg static balance test (eyes open and eyes closed), two jump landing tasks, a balance stabilometer task and a Y- Balance test. A survey was completed to assess participant perceived benefit immediately following the performance of all tests for each condition. Survey questions pertained to comfort, enjoyment, support, stability and perceived performance effect. A repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed to compare each derived variable between the three garment conditions. Significance was accepted at p

Date of Award	2019
Original language	English