Compression socks and the effects on coagulation and fibrinolytic activation during marathon running

Effectiveness of Recovery Strategies After Training and Competition in Endurance Athletes: An Umbrella Review

BACKGROUND

Recovery strategies are used to enhance performance and reduce injury risk in athletes. In previous systematic reviews, individual recovery strategies were investigated to clarify their effectiveness for mixed groups of athletes. However, the current evidence is ambiguous, and a clear overview of (training) recovery for endurance athletes is still lacking.

METHODS

We conducted an umbrella review based on a literature search in PubMed, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and Web of Science. Reviews published in English and before December 2022 were included. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses were eligible if they investigated the effectiveness of one or more recovery strategies compared with a placebo or control group after a training session in endurance athletes.

RESULTS

Twenty-two reviews (nine systematic reviews, three meta-analyses, and ten systematic reviews with meta-analyses included) met the inclusion criteria. In total, sixty-three studies with 1100 endurance athletes were included in our umbrella review. Out of the sixty-three studies, eight provided information on training recovery time frame for data synthesis. Among them, cryotherapy and compression garments showed positive effects, while applying massage showed no effect. In general, none of the included recovery strategies showed consistent benefits for endurance athletes.

CONCLUSION

There is no particular recovery strategy that can be advised to enhance recovery between training sessions or competitions in endurance athletes. However, individual studies suggest that compression garments and cryotherapy are effective training recovery strategies. Further research should improve methodology and focus on the different time courses of the recovery process.

REGISTRATION

The review protocol was registered with the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews with the number CRD42021260509.

Black holes in compression therapy: A quest for data

OBJECTIVE

Although compression therapy (CT) is considered a crucial conservative treatment in chronic venous disease, strong evidence is missing for many clinical indications. This literature review aims to point out what strong evidence we have for CT and all the clinical scenarios where strong evidence still needs to be included.

METHODS

The research was conducted on MEDLINE with PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science. The time range was set between January 1980 and October 2022. Only articles in English were included.

RESULTS

The main problem with CT is the low scientific quality of many studies on compression. Consequently, we have robust data on the effectiveness of CT only for advanced venous insufficiency (C3-C6), deep vein thrombosis and lymphedema. We have data on the efficacy of compression for venous symptoms control and in sports recovery, but the low quality of studies cannot result in a strong recommendation. For compression in postvenous procedures, superficial venous thrombosis, thromboprophylaxis, post-thrombotic syndrome prevention and treatment, and sports performance, we have either no data or very debated data not allowing any recommendation.

CONCLUSIONS

We need high-level scientific studies to assess if CT can be effective or definitely ineffective in the clinical indications where we still have a paucity of or contrasting data.

Combined exercise training improved exercise capacity and lung inflammation in rats with hepatopulmonary syndrome

AIM

Physical exercise training attenuates pulmonary inflammation, but its effects on impaired respiratory function caused by hepatopulmonary syndrome (HPS) have not been evaluated. We determined if the combination of moderate intensity aerobic and resistance training during HPS development modifies exercise capacity, respiratory system mechanics, and lung inflammation responses.

MAIN METHODS

Wistar rats were randomly divided into sham, HPS, and HPS + combined exercise training groups. Fifteen days after HPS induction, a moderate intensity aerobic plus resistance exercise training protocol was performed five times a week for 5 weeks on alternate days. Exercise capacity, respiratory system mechanics, lung inflammation, pulmonary morphology, and immunohistochemistry were evaluated.

KEY FINDINGS

Overall, our findings indicated that combined exercise training efficiently increased the maximal running and resistance capacity of HPS animals. The training regimen reduced the expression of P2X7 in parenchymal leukocytes (P < 0.01), partially restored the expression of interleukin-10 in airway epithelium (P < 0.01), and increased the expression of TFPI in the airway epithelium (P < 0.01) as well as reduced its expression in parenchymal leukocytes (P < 0.01). However, exercise training did not attenuate HPS-induced respiratory mechanical derangements or lung tissue remodeling.

SIGNIFICANCE

Combined exercise training can elicit adaptation with regard to both maximal running capacity and maximum strength and modify the expression of P2X7 and TFPI in parenchymal leukocytes and that of IL-10 in airway epithelium.

Innovation strategy on the example of companies using bamboo

Innovations and new technologies allow companies to function, work, and develop in an ever-changing environment. The article discusses the importance of innovative strategies and presents the results of research carried out on the role of each employee group (CEO, R+D department, other workers) in implementing innovations, depending on the size of the enterprise: micro company, mini company, medium company, and large company. A look not only through the prism of the size of the organization, but also by the groups of people (knowledge group) responsible for innovation is a novelty of the research and fills the gap in research on innovation of enterprises. Moreover, as an exemplification of theory which is used in practice, the article also presents innovations related to bamboo use in many enterprises from different sectors of the economy (energy, automobile, and textile). Bamboo, thanks to its mechanical and chemical properties, can become an innovative material widely used by various companies. Innovations based on the use of bamboo become eco-innovations that support eco-efficiency and the circular economy. The cognitive and utilitarian value of completed research lies in the possibility of a broad look at the innovation strategy (including bamboo as an innovative material) and in the possibility of its implementation and application in various enterprises operating on the market.

Compression Socks Reduce Running-Induced Intestinal Damage

Zadow, EK, Edwards, KH, Kitic, CM, Fell, JW, Adams, MJ, Singh, I, Kundur, A, Johnstone, ANB, Crilly, J, Bulmer, AC, Halson, SL, and, and Wu, SSX. Compression socks reduce running-induced intestinal damage. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000-000, 2020-Exercise is associated with a reduction in splanchnic blood flow that leads to the disruption of intestinal epithelium integrity, contributing to exercise-induced gastrointestinal syndrome. Strategies that promote intestinal blood flow during exercise may reduce intestinal damage, which may be advantageous for subsequent recovery and performance. This study aimed to explore if exercise-associated intestinal damage was influenced by wearing compression garments, which may improve central blood flow. Subjects were randomly allocated to wear compression socks (n = 23) or no compression socks (control, n = 23) during a marathon race. Blood samples were collected 24 hours before and immediately after marathon and analyzed for intestinal fatty acid-binding protein (I-FABP) concentration as a marker of intestinal damage. The magnitude of increase in postmarathon plasma I-FABP concentration was significantly greater in control group (107%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 72-428%) when compared with runners wearing compression socks (38%; 95% CI, 20-120%; p = 0.046; d = 0.59). Wearing compression socks during a marathon run reduced exercise-associated intestinal damage. Compression socks may prove an effective strategy to minimize the intestinal damage component of exercise-induced gastrointestinal syndrome.

Effects of Wearing Compression Stockings on Exercise Performance and Associated Indicators: A Systematic Review

This systematic review investigated the effects of wearing below-knee compression stockings (CS) on exercise performance (or sports activity) and associated physiological and perceived indicators. We searched articles on PubMed using the following terms: "graduated compression stockings"; "compression stockings"; "graduated compression socks"; "compression socks" combined with "performance", "athletes", "exercise", "exercise performance", "fatigue", "sports" and "recovery", resulting in 1067 papers. After checking for inclusion criteria (e.g., original studies, healthy subjects, performance analysis), 21 studies were selected and analyzed. We conclude that wearing CS during exercise improved performance in a small number of studies. However, wearing CS could benefit muscle function indicators and perceived muscle soreness during the recovery period. Future research should investigate the chronic effect of CS on Sports Medicine and athletic performance.

Effects of Sports Compression Socks on Performance, Physiological, and Hematological Alterations After Long-Haul Air Travel in Elite Female Volleyballers

Broatch, JR, Bishop, DJ, Zadow, EK, and Halson, S. Effects of sports compression socks on performance, physiological, and hematological alterations after long-haul air travel in elite female volleyballers. J Strength Cond Res 33(2): 492-501, 2019-The purpose of this investigation was to assess the merit of sports compression socks in minimizing travel-induced performance, physiological, and hematological alterations in elite female volleyball athletes. Twelve elite female volleyballers (age, 25 ± 2 years) traveled from Canberra (Australia) to Manila (Philippines), and were assigned to 1 of 2 conditions; compression socks (COMP, n = 6) worn during travel or a passive control (CON, n = 6). Dependent measures included countermovement jump (CMJ) performance, subjective ratings of well-being, cardiovascular function, calf girth, and markers of blood clotting, collected before (-24 hours, CMJ; -12 hours, all measures), during (+6.5 and +9 hours, subjective ratings and cardiovascular function), and after (+12 hours, all measures except CMJ; +24 hours and +48 hours, CMJ) travel. When compared with CON, small-to-large effects were observed for COMP to improve heart rate (+9 hours), oxygen saturation (+6.5 hours and +9 hours), alertness (+6.5 hours), fatigue (+6.5 hours), muscle soreness (+6.5 hours and +9 hours), and overall health (+6.5 hours) during travel. After travel, small-to-moderate effects were observed for COMP to improve systolic blood pressure (+12 hours), right calf girth (+12 hours), CMJ height (+24 hours), mean velocity (+24 hours), and relative power (+48 hours), compared with CON. COMP had no effect on the markers of blood clotting. This study suggests that compression socks are beneficial in combating the stressors imposed by long-haul travel in elite athletes, and may have merit for individuals frequenting long-haul travel or competing soon after flying.

Venous thromboemboli associated with acute aerobic exercise: A review of case report commonalities

Venous thromboembolic (VTE) events such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) have been reported in otherwise low-risk healthy athletes following acute bouts of aerobic exercise.

PURPOSE

To review case reports and assess the commonalities of athletic individuals with VTE, as well as return-to-play (RTP) recommendations.

METHODS

We reviewed 47 reports (20 DVTs, 15 PEs, and 12 DVTs/PEs, 19 women) of trained individuals who were diagnosed with DVT and/or PE following aerobic exercise. We assessed frequency of VTE risk factors, presenting symptoms, and RTP recommendations.

RESULTS

The age of women (24.6 ± 7.0 years) was lower (P < .01) than of men (40.6 ± 13.6 years). Of the 19 women, 14 (73.7%) used oral contraceptives. Thirteen cases (27.7%) reported a recent period of prolonged inactivity (>1 hour), and another 12 cases were found to have an antithrombin disorder following testing after diagnosis. The most frequently reported symptoms were muscle pain in 26 of 32 (81.3%) DVT or DVT/PE cases, and dyspnea in 21 of 27 (77.8%) PE or DVT/PE cases. Despite these common symptoms, the estimated time from first report of symptoms to confirmed diagnosis was 56.3 ± 118.7 days and 25 cases (53.2%) were initially misdiagnosed. Twenty-three cases (48.9%) did not report RTP recommendations, and those which did varied widely.

CONCLUSIONS

Thirty-two cases (~70%) had at least one of three major risk factors, suggesting that many cases of VTE in athletes may be preventable with better education and awareness. The wide variety of RTP recommendations highlights the need for standardized guidelines in this population.