May 2020; Vol. 9, No. 1: Pages 33-38

The impact of a single bout of intermittent pneumatic compression on performance, inflammatory markers, and myoglobin in football athletes

Jeremie E. Chase, Jason D. Peeler, Matthew J. Barr, Phillip F. Gardiner, Stephen M. Cornish

Abstract

Objectives: Intermittent Pneumatic Compression (IPC) use as a tool for recovery after exercise has recently become widespread among athletes. While there is anecdotal support for IPC, little research has been done to show its effectiveness in recovery. This study examined the impact of IPC use for recovery on performance, markers of inflammation, and a marker of muscle damage. Design: Eight university football athletes were recruited and subjected to IPC or passive recovery conditions in a randomized crossover manner following off-season training. Methods: Countermovement jump and 10 m sprint were evaluated before training, at 3 and 24 hours following training. Self-reported soreness, blood markers of inflammation (interleukin-6, interleukin-10, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1) and muscle damage (myoglobin) were measured before training, post-training, immediately after the recovery interventions, and at 3 and 24 hours post-training. Results: Significant time effects were observed in monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and myoglobin suggesting an inflammatory response and muscle damage. No group differences were observed between recovery interventions for all measures. Conclusion: The results suggest that the IPC protocol used was not effective for the specific exercise paradigm and for the parameters measured in this population.

Received January 21, 2020; accepted May 29, 2020

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