Zoot CompressRx Compression
As I 'gear up', both literally and figuratively, for the current holiday season, I decided to take a strong look at compression apparel. Beyond an unmatched ability to mask the results of how much I love eggnog, compression has been highly touted in the triathlon world recently for its ability to enhance recovery (and 'improve performance', but we'll take one claim at a time).
These glasses are apparently specifically made for eggnog.
Eggnog, however, is a specialty best taken straight from the carton.
I have a personal interest in researching equipment that can improve recovery. My job requires me to stand quite a bit during the day, and I have been surprised by how much soreness I feel as a result. This soreness can then be compounded by my run-focused training regimen and make me more predisposed to injury while also inhibiting a quality training session.
I decided to focus on Zoot's CompressoRx line as I was impressed (so was Jordan Rapp ) by the apparent R&D that went into the product. As Rapp writes, Zoot even went so far as to publish a white paper on their product and make it available on their website. You can read it here on the CompressRx page of Zoot's website. Also, you can check out this video Zoot published on Youtube. It provides some excellent insight into the CompressRx line and the company behind it.
So Zoot appears to be an excellent choice for compression clothing, but is purchasing compression clothing a good decision? I decided to look at independent research from established medical journals that will shed greater insight on the value of compression on enhancing recovery (for the benefits of compression during activity, I'll have to write another blog entry).
Here I've listed a few primary journals that I found on the subject along with a short synopsis:
1) Compression Garments and Recovery from Eccentric Exercise
Michael I. Trenell, Kieron B. Rooney , Carolyn M. Sue and Campbell H. Thompson
from the Journal of Sports Science and Medicine (2006)
Source 1: http://www.jssm.org/vol5/n1/12/v5n1-12pdf.pdf
-Synopsis: Eccentric muscular contractions, according to our good friend wikipedia, "normally occur as a braking force, in opposition to a concentric contraction, to protect joints from damage." Running, by this definition, could then easily be categorized as an eccentric exercise. By measuring perception of muscle soreness and the concentration of hydrogen ions (pH) and other metabolic byproducts of exercise, the study found that, "Compression garments may alter potential indices of the repair processes accompanying structural damage to the skeletal muscle following eccentric exercise allowing a faster cellular repair" (Source 1).
2) The Effects of Compression Garments on Recovery of Muscle Performance Following High-Intensity Sprint and Plyometric Exercise
Rob Duffield, Jack Cannon and Monique King
from the Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport
Source: Science Direct
-Synopsis: This study looked at the effect of compression garments on individuals following a 10 minute exercise protocol consisting of a 20 meter sprint and 10 plyometric bounds each minute. Before each test, and then 2 hours and 24 hours following each test, the muscles were analyzed for pretty much everything we would want to know ( muscle performance assessments and assays of metabolic byproducts were performed, or in the words of the study, "evoked twitch properties of the knee extensors, peak concentric knee extension and flexion force were assessed, with blood samples drawn to measure lactate [La−], pH, creatine kinase (CK), aspartate transaminase (AST) and c-reactive protein (C-RP)" ). Also, Heart rate, exertion (RPE) and muscle soreness (MS) measures were obtained pre- and post-exercise.
What did they find? " In conclusion the effects of compression garments on voluntary performance and recovery were minimal; however, reduced levels of perceived MS were reported following recovery in the garments."
My personal conclusions tend to mirror those above. I could, however, apply the above bold statement perfectly to ice baths, massage, and stretching. At this moment, I'm inclined to perform an 'N=1' study by purchasing a CompressRx recovery garment and testing it out for myself. If I do I'll certainly write about my experience.
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As a bonus, below I've listed a study that analyzed the performance benefits of compression socks. They found that "stockings with constant compression over the calf muscle significantly improved running performance at different metabolic thresholds."
Effect of Compression Stockings on Running Performance in Men Runners
Kemmler, Wolfgang; Stengel, Simon von; Köckritz, Christina; Mayhew, Jerry; Wassermann, Alfred; Zapf, Jürgen
from the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research
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