Aerobic Energy Cost and Sensation Responses During Submaximal Running Exercise - Positive Effects of Wearing Compression Tights

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the effects of wearing compression compared to classic elastic tights and conventional shorts (control trial) on oxygen cost and sensation responses during submaximal running exercise. In part I, aerobic energy cost was evaluated in six trained runners at 10, 12, 14, and 16 km x h(-1). In part II, the increase in energy cost over time (i. e., slow component expressed as difference in VO2 values between min 2 and end-exercise) was determined in six trained runners at a constant running pace corresponding to 80% of maximal VO2 for 15 min duration. All tests were performed on a 200-m indoor track with equivalent thermal stress conditions. VO2 was determined with a portable metabolic system (Cosmed K4b2, Rome, Italy) during all testing sessions. Runners were asked their ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) and perceptions for clothing sweating, comfort, and whole thermal sensations following each trial. Results showed in part I a significant lower energy cost only at 12 km x h(-1) by wearing compression and elastic tights compared to conventional shorts. During part II, wearing compression tights decreased significantly VO2 slow component by 26 and 36% compared to elastic tights and conventional shorts, respectively. There were no differences in sweating and comfort sensations, RPE, and for whole thermal sensation between clothing conditions in parts I and II. Wearing compression tights during running exercise may enhance overall circulation and decrease muscle oscillation to promote a lower energy expenditure at a given prolonged submaximal speed.

Full text

Introduction
Modern training clothing are often worn simply as a fashion gar-
ment and the wearer requires neither performance nor protec-
tion beyond that offered by normal sports clothing. In fitness
and leisure sports, compressive garments (e.g., tights, pants,
stockings) have become more and more popular with the need
to minimise the stress of walking or running, by improving phys-
iological factors such as the energy cost of locomotion (EC, i.e.,
energy expenditure per unit of distance, [10]) and comfort. With
this in mind, many fabrics have been introduced to the athletic
apparel market with manufacturers’ claims of improved health
benefits. Individualised exercise programs used in conjunction
with compressive garments may enhance lymphatic drainage,
minimise subjective complaints, and restore strength, flexibility,
and endurance of the lower limbs [13, 31]. Aerobic EC has been
identified as a critical element of overall success in distance run-
ning [1] and skiing [25] activities. Among the number of factors
that affect EC, clothing and possibly fatigue are additional factors
that can change EC in running [9]. During submaximal heavy
constant running exercise, a delayed rise in oxygen uptake (V
˙
O
2
)
response occurs after about 2 – 3 min of exercise onset and
Abstract
This study aimed to examine the effects of wearing compression
compared to classic elastic tights and conventional shorts (con-
trol trial) on oxygen cost and sensation responses during sub-
maximal running exercise. In part I, aerobic energy cost was eval-
uated in six trained runners at 10,12, 14, and 16 km·h
–1
. In part II,
the increase in energy cost over time (i. e., slow component
expressed as difference in V
˙
O
2
values between min 2 and end-ex-
ercise) was determined in six trained runners at a constant run-
ning pace corresponding to 80% of maximal V
˙
O
2
for 15 min dura-
tion. All tests were performed on a 200-m indoor track with
equivalent thermal stress conditions. V
˙
O
2
was determined with
a portable metabolic system (Cosmed K4b
2
, Rome, Italy) during
all testing sessions. Runners were asked their ratings of per-
ceived exertion (RPE) and perceptions for clothing sweating,
comfort, and whole thermal sensations following each trial. Re-
sults showed in part I a significant lower energy cost only at
12 km · h
–1
by wearing compression and elastic tights compared
to conventional shorts. During part II, wearing compression
tights decreased significantly V
˙
O
2
slow component by 26 and
36% compared to elastic tights and conventional shorts, respec-
tively. There were no differences in sweating and comfort sensa-
tions, RPE, and for whole thermal sensation between clothing
conditions in parts I and II. Wearing compression tights during
running exercise may enhance overall circulation and decrease
muscle oscillation to promote a lower energy expenditure at a
given prolonged submaximal speed.
Key words
Compressive garments · fatigue · oxygen cost · running · slow
component
Training & Testing
373
Affiliation
1
EA 2991 Efficience et Déficience Motrices, Montpellier, France
2
Centre de Recherche Décathlon, Villeneuve d’Ascq, France
Correspondence
Stephane Perrey, Ph.D. · EA 2991 Motor Efficiency and Deficiency Laboratory · Faculty of Sport Sciences ·
700 avenue du pic saint loup · Montpellier 34090 · France · Phone: + 33467415761 · Fax: + 33 4 67415708 ·
E-mail: stephane.perrey@univ-montp1.fr
Accepted after revision: March 30, 2005
Bibliography
Int J Sports Med 2006; 27: 373 – 378 © Georg Thieme Verlag KG · Stuttgart · New York ·
DOI 10.1055/s-2005-865718 · Published online July 25, 2005 ·
ISSN 0172-4622
A. Bringard
1,2
S. Perrey
1
N. Belluye
2
Aerobic Energy Cost and Sensation Responses
During Submaximal Running Exercise –
Positive Effects of Wearing Compression Tights

causes V
˙
O
2
to rise above the expected energy requirement
[2, 6, 7,12,16,20,29, 30], that is an increase in EC. This continued
rise in V
˙
O
2
termed the slow component (SC) of V
˙
O
2
, and usually
expressed as the difference in V
˙
O
2
between the end-exercise and
the second minute of exercise [2,16] is attributable to the work-
ing muscle [29,30]. Technical innovations in clothing are one
possible intervention that may decrease EC of running at a given
intensity and alleviate stresses during aerobic exercise, as endur-
ance training [7] did.
To date, the effects of compressive clothing on athletic perform-
ance have been mainly evaluated during power sports (volley-
ball, [18]; track and field, [11]) and after supramaximal running
exercises [3, 4]. Kraemer et al. [18] demonstrated that compres-
sive garments enhanced repetitive vertical jump power in varsity
volleyball players. Based on lower body kinematics and jump
performance, Doan et al. [11] have suggested that particular
compressive pants may improve short, explosive types of ath-
letic performance, and reduce injuries. Possible mechanisms
contributing to the enhanced performance include a reduction
in muscle oscillation [11] and increased resistance to fatigue
[18]. Wearing compression stockings during and after an exhaus-
tive running exercise has been shown to lower blood lactate lev-
els [3] but this effect was not evident when wearing compression
tights [4]. These authors hypothesised that the pressure exerted
by tights was too low compared to compression stockings and
was not sufficient to increase venous return. Thus, it is still un-
known whether or not wearing compressive garments can have
positive effects on some physiological parameters especially dur-
ing submaximal running exercise. Recently, Moritani [26]
showed that V
˙
O
2
and muscle activity tend to decrease during
submaximal cycling exercise whilst wearing long compression
pants compared to control garments. Yet it is still unknown
whether such pants have any influence on some “muscle effi-
ciency” indices, such as EC and V
˙
O
2
SC during submaximal run-
ning exercise. These issues remain to be investigated. Even if the
efficacy of the compressive garments is confirmed with physio-
logical assessment, subjective evaluations of comfort, sweating,
and fatigue need also to be addressed.
Therefore the purposes of this study were to examine the effect
of wearing compression tights compared to wearing shorts and
classic tights on aerobic EC of running at various submaximal
running intensities in experiment 1, and to evaluate the effects
of wearing compression tights on the excess in V
˙
O
2
over time
(i.e., V
˙
O
2
SC) usually observed during a constant running pace of
15 min duration in experiment 2. It was hypothesised that wear-
ing compression tights would (i) decrease both EC and V
˙
O
2
SC in
a group of trained middle-distance runners compared to wearing
classic tights and no tights, and (ii) enhance comfort, thermal
and fatigue sensations. This study was possible through using a
portable telemetric gas exchange system, which measured con-
tinuously the time course of V
˙
O
2
in real conditions of practice.
Methods
Subjects
The present study contains two separated parts (PI and PII). The
aim of PI was to determine EC and subjective sensation re-
sponses during different submaximal exercise intensities with
three types of clothing. Six male trained runners ([mean ± SD]
age 31.2 ± 5.4 yrs, body mass 66.0 ± 8.8 kg, height 177.3 ± 6.6 cm)
volunteered to participate in PI. The purpose of PII was to ex-
amine whether wearing compression tights influenced the V
˙
O
2
SC and subjective sensation responses during prolonged sub-
maximal running exercise. Six male trained runners (age
26.7 ± 2.9 yrs, body mass 68.7 ± 10.6 kg, height 179.5 ± 7.2 cm)
took part in PII. All subjects were healthy and non-smoking, with
no history of cardiopulmonary disease. All the subjects were giv-
en full details (except the purposes of the present study) of the
experimental protocol and any possible risks or discomforts
associated with the experiment. Then each subject gave written
informed consent before the first day of testing. This study com-
plies with the Declaration of Helsinki for human experimenta-
tion.
Experimental protocol
A repeated-measures experimental design in which subjects
served as their own control was used in both PI and PII. All sub-
jects performed several track-running trials from July to Septem-
ber (mean temperature of 31
8
C in PI and of 23.6
8
C in PII) on the
same indoor 200-m track marked every 25 m. In both PI and PII,
all subjects wore during running trials either compression tights
(Decathlon
®
), classic elastic tights, or conventional shorts (con-
trol trial) in a counterbalanced order. The same compression
tights were used in 4 sizes according to the anthropometrical
characteristics of each subject. The classic elastic tights were
made of 80% polyester and 20% elasthan. The same running
shoes were used for all clothing conditions.
To assess maximal V
˙
O
2
(V
˙
O
2max
) in PI, the runners carried out on
three different days a continuous incremental exercise test to
voluntary exhaustion. The running pace was set by sounds emit-
ted through a speaker controlled by independent digital chro-
nometers to ensure precise control of speed by setting an audible
cadence. This test was derived from the protocol proposed by
Léger and Boucher [23]. The initial speed was 10 km· h
–1
and
was increased by 2 km · h
–1
each stage until the end of the test.
Each stage consisted of a 3-min period. Each subject was encour-
aged to exert a maximum effort. The test was stopped when the
athlete could not maintain the required velocity, and when the
subject had a delay of more than 25 m (that is one mark). The cri-
terion used to assess V
˙
O
2max
included a respiratory exchange ra-
tio greater or equal to 1.10, a heart rate (HR) in excess of 90% of
age predicted HR
max
(220 –age), and an identification of a plateau
(< 150 ml· min
–1
increase) in V
˙
O
2
despite a further increase in
velocity. In all tests, at least two of three criteria were met. In
PII, the runners performed a constant running exercise at ∼ 80%
of V
˙
O
2max
of 15 min duration on three different days. Before per-
forming this test, V
˙
O
2max
was determined once with a ramp-like
protocol.
For each test, pre- and postexercise values for body mass were
determined. Body mass loss was then calculated as the differ-
ence in pre- and postexercise body mass (expressed as a percent-
age), which was determined using a bioelectrical impedance bal-
ance (TBF-300 Body composition analyser, Tanita Corporation,
Tokyo, Japan) accurate to ± 100 g. Pressure contact electrodes on
the platform allowed determination of impedance and estima-
Bringard A et al. Oxygen Uptake Response and Wearing Improved Clothing … Int J Sports Med 2006; 27: 373 – 378
Training & Testing
374

tion of total body water. Each session was conducted on a sepa-
rate day and at the same time of the day (± 1 h) to prevent circa-
dian effect on the physiological parameters.
Gas exchange measurements
Gas exchange measurements (V
˙
O
2
, carbon dioxide production
[V
˙
CO
2
], respiratory exchange ratio [RER = V
˙
CO
2
·V
˙
O
2
–1
], and min-
ute ventilation [V
˙
E
]) were determined breath by breath with a
telemetric portable (weight of 450 g) metabolic system (Cosmed
K4b
2
, Rome, Italy) during all testing sessions. Immediately before
each test, gas analysers were calibrated with ambient air (O
2
:
20.93% and CO
2
: 0.03%) and a gas mixture of known composition
(O
2
: 16.00% and CO
2
: 5.00%). An O
2
analyser with a polarographic
electrode and a CO
2
analyser with an infrared electrode sampled
expired gases at the mouth. At the end of exercise the drift rate
for both analysers (drift rate = analyser drift/time collection) we
observed a few times was minimal (less than – 0.008%/min for
O
2
analyser and + 0.004%/min for CO
2
analyser), and therefore
did not affect VO
2
values (% error < 0.3) at the end of exercise.
The facemask, that had a low dead space (70 ml), was equipped
with a low-resistance, bidirectional digital turbine (28 mm di-
ameter). This turbine was calibrated before each test with a sy-
ringe of known volume (3 L, Hans Rudolph Inc, Dallas, USA). Face
masks allowed subjects to simultaneously breathe with mouth
and nose, for more comfort. HR was continuously measured via
a wireless Polar-monitoring system (Polar Electro Oy, Kempele,
Finland).
Rating of perceived exertion and subjective ratings
Following the gas exchange measurement, subjects were asked
to provide a rating of perceived exertion (RPE) between 6 and
20 for the whole body [5]. Perceptions of clothing sweating sen-
sation [14], clothing comfort sensation, and the whole thermal
sensation [15] were also obtained after each testing session. The
scales are listed in Table 1.
Gas exchange analyses
Values for V
˙
O
2
(in absolute and relative terms) were smoothed
over 5 breaths for each testing session to de-emphasise breath-
to-breath variation in V
˙
O
2
. As initially proposed by di Prampero
[10], net aerobic EC (ml · kg
–1
·m
–1
) in PI was calculated by divid-
ing the net V
˙
O
2
(exercising V
˙
O
2
minus resting V
˙
O
2
) averaged over
the last 15 s of each 3-min stage by speed for the following run-
ning exercise intensities: 10, 12, 14, and 16 km · h
–1
. In PII, The SC
of V
˙
O
2
(ml · min
–1
) was calculated by subtracting the V
˙
O
2
(mean
values during 20 s) at the second minute of exercise from the
end-exercise V
˙
O
2
[2,16]. We used absolute terms for V
˙
O
2
SC espe-
cially for comparison purposes with literature in the field [2, 7,
12,16, 20,29, 30].
Statistical analysis
The running test response for cardiorespiratory and subjective
variables was evaluated by a one-way analysis of variance
(ANOVA) with repeated-measures across clothing conditions,
followed by a Student Newman-Keuls post-hoc analysis used to
isolate differences among conditions. The Friedman rank test
was used when the normality or the equality of variance was vio-
lated. Data was reported as mean ± SD unless otherwise speci-
fied. The level of significance was set at p < 0.05 for all analyses.
Results
There were no differences in thermal stress, in body mass loss, in
clothing comfort and sweating sensations, and perceived exer-
tion between the three clothing conditions in both PI and PII
(see Table 2).
Responses during incremental exercise: PI
The overall results of the incremental tests performed in PI are
shown in Fig. 1 for EC.
At 12 km · h
–1
, there was a significant effect among the three
clothing conditions (F [2.5] = 4.61, p < 0.05 with a statistical
power of 0.53). Aerobic EC was significantly lower by wearing
compression and elastic tights compared to shorts (Fig.1). Note
Table 1 The degree of subjective ratings of clothing comfort, cloth-
ing sweating, and whole thermal sensations
Rat-
ing
Clothing
comfort
Rat-
ing
Clothing
sweating
Rat-
ing
Whole
thermal
1 comfortable 1 dry 1 very hot
2 moderately
comfortable
2 clammy 2 hot
3 a little
comfortable
3moist 3warm
4 not at all 4 wet 4 slightly
warm
5 uncomfortable 5 dripping wet 5 neutral
6 slightly
cool
7 cool
8 cold
9 very cold
Fig.1 Mean values (± SE) of net aerobic energy cost for different sub-
maximal running exercise intensities among different clothing condi-
tions. * Significantly different from Shorts condition at p < 0.05. n = 6.
Bringard A et al. Oxygen Uptake Response and Wearing Improved Clothing … Int J Sports Med 2006; 27: 373 – 378
Training & Testing
375

that there was the same trend at 10 and 14 km ·h
–1
(p < 0.1). There
were no differences in HR and V
˙
E
values among clothing condi-
tions for each stage of the incremental exercise test. Values of
V
˙
O
2max
were not different between shorts, elastic and compres-
sion tights (60.9 ± 4.4, 59.0 ± 10.3, 60.3 ± 4.8 ml· min
–1
·kg
–1
, re-
spectively).
Responses during the constant work load exercise: PII
Values of V
˙
O
2max
and associated maximal aerobic speed for the
group of subjects tested in PII were 52.2 ± 7.1 ml · min
–1
·kg
–1
and
17.3 ± 0.9 km · h
–1
(range of 16.3– 18.4). The mean running speed
corresponding to 80 % of V
˙
O
2max
was 13.8 ± 0.7 km· h
–1
.
The V
˙
O
2
SC magnitude values (defined as the difference between
min 2 and end-exercise value) are displayed on the Fig. 2 for the
three clothing conditions tested. Magnitude of V
˙
O
2
SC was signif-
icantly different among the three clothing conditions (F [2, 4]
= 7.96, p = 0.013 with a statistical power of 0.79). Post-hoc tests
revealed that magnitude of V
˙
O
2
SC was significantly lower when
wearing compression tights compared to shorts (p = 0.01) and to
elastic tights (p = 0.04). There were no differences in HR and V
˙
E
between clothing conditions at some specific times (2 and
15 min, Table 3) corresponding to the development of the V
˙
O
2
SC.
Discussion
The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of wearing com-
pression tights on some traditional “muscle efficiency” indices
(EC and V
˙
O
2
SC), degree of fatigue, and comfort sensations during
various submaximal exercises. In the environmental conditions
tested, the major finding of the present study was that wearing
compression tights decreased (i) the energy cost of running at
some submaximal intensities compared with conventional
shorts (control trial) but not with classic tights during short-
term duration exercise (PI), (ii) and the V
˙
O
2
SC compared with
wearing shorts (by 36%) and classic tights (by 26%) during pro-
longed submaximal exercise (PII). The ratings of perceived exer-
tion were not significantly different between clothing conditions,
as well as clothing comfort and sweating sensations.
Table 2 Mean values (± SD) of subjective ratings of perceived exertion (RPE), clothing comfort, clothing sweating, and whole thermal sensations in PI (at the end of the incremental exercise) and PII (at
the end of the constant heavy submaximal exercise of 15 min) among different clothing conditions. S: short, E: elastic, C: compression
Temperature (
8
C) Body mass loss (%) RPE scale Clothing comfort Clothing sweating Whole thermal
SEC SEC SEC SEC SEC SEC
PI 30.8 31.0 31.2 0.57 0.51 0.53 16.7 16.3 16.3 1.0 1.5 1.5 2.7 2.4 2.5 2.7 2.0 1.5
± 0.4 ± 0.6 ± 1.2 ± 0.23 ± 0.09 ± 0.18 ± 0.5 ± 1.3 ± 1.5 ± 0.0 ± 0.5 ± 0.8 ± 1.0 ± 1.2 ± 0.8 ± 1.9 ± 0.6 ± 0.5
PII 23.7 23.5 23.7 0.35 0.40 0.41 12.0 12.5 12.0 1.2 1.8 1.2 1.7 2.0 1.5 3.8 3.0 3.3
± 1.0 ± 1.5 ± 1.4 ± 0.16 ± 0.07 ± 0.12 ± 2.4 ± 1.8 ± 1.3 ± 0.4 ± 0.4 ± 0.4 ± 0.5 ± 0.9 ± 0.5 ± 0.8 ± 1.1 ± 0.8
Fig. 2 Mean values (± SE) of the amplitude of the oxygen uptake tak-
en as the difference between minutes 2 and 15 during constant heavy
running exercises among different clothing conditions. * Significantly
different from Compression condition at p < 0.05. n = 6.
Bringard A et al. Oxygen Uptake Response and Wearing Improved Clothing … Int J Sports Med 2006; 27: 373 – 378
Training & Testing
376

Human physiological responses may be influenced by various
kinds of garments. To date in the literature, many studies have
been performed on the role of several thermal parameters in the
determination of whole body and local exercise performance
[17]. However, although clothing could influence humans ther-
mally, to our knowledge there is no systematic study as to the
role of clothing for the exercise efficacy, that is the physiological
and perceptual advantages of wearing compressive garments on
fatigue. Fatigue is a complex phenomenon that is characterised
by a decrease in performance. It has been reported that fatigue
induces an increase in energy expenditure per unit of distance
(i.e., energy cost of locomotion). Running economy may be a bet-
ter predictor of endurance performance than V
˙
O
2max
in a group of
trained athletes [8]. In the present study, no differences in V
˙
O
2max
were found among the three clothing conditions (PI). However
EC was significantly lower at 12 km· h
–1
(Fig. 1) by wearing either
compression tights or elastic tights compared to conventional
shorts. The positive effect of wearing tights may assist motion
pattern by increasing proprioception, muscle coordination, and
the propulsive force, resulting in less metabolic cost of running
at a given speed. Previous studies have shown an increased pro-
prioception with compressive garments which may improve
technique [28]. A sleeve worn on the knee improved the integra-
tion of the balance control system and muscle coordination [21].
Note that in the present study, EC did not differ significantly be-
tween compression and elastic tights. Some further advantages
of the compression compared to elastic tights may be not appar-
ent during exercise of too short duration (3 min for each stage in
PI) as in this experimental protocol. The “mechanical” support (if
any) of compression tights may have a measurable effect during
a longer submaximal exercise at a constant pace to judge exer-
cise tolerance and energy expenditure changes over time.
The V
˙
O
2
SC has been suggested to be an important determinant
of exercise tolerance in both patient populations and athletic
groups [12]. A reduction of the SC with exercise is therefore
highly desirable, as this adaptation may allow undertaking lon-
ger periods of physical activity, and increasing work tolerance
before early fatigue development [12]. Although no consensus
exists, several variables have been identified as predictors of
V
˙
O
2
SC during prolonged exercise including blood lactate con-
centration, cardiorespiratory work, muscle O
2
availability, and
motor-unit recruitment patterns [12]. However most recent evi-
dence points toward motor unit recruitment patterns in the aeti-
ology of the V
˙
O
2
SC [6,20, 29]. Moritani [26] have shown with
electromyographic technique that during cycling exercise, fa-
tigue of thigh muscles was decreased when subjects wore com-
pressive garments compared to a control condition. We noted in
the present study (PII) a 26% and 36% decrease in V
˙
O
2
SC by
wearing compression tights compared to classic tights and
shorts, respectively. This indicates that there may be a subtle er-
gonomic interplay between the close fitting garment and some
biological mechanisms over time. Wearing a lower-body com-
pressive garment may reduce muscle fatigue by supporting more
active muscles and applying pressure in such a way as to support
muscle fibers in their contraction direction. Reduced longitudi-
nal and anterior muscle oscillation upon landing from a maximal
vertical jump [11] was speculated to be a contributing factor to
increase repetitive jump performance by reducing fatigue [19].
The proposed ergonomic mechanism is that reduced muscle os-
cillations with support may optimise neurotransmission and
mechanics at the molecular level [24], and in turn, reduce myo-
electric activity ([27], a paradigm of muscle tuning). Effects of
the muscle tuning associated with an ergonomic interface such
as a compressive garment could be seen in performance, fatigue,
and comfort characteristics of repetitive impact loading during
running. Compressive garments have been shown also to be ben-
eficial in that they help the muscle pumping action of the cardio-
vascular system (increased venous return) to remove blood lac-
tate from exercising muscle [3,19]. Although coincidental rather
than causal, several previous cross-sectional studies have shown
a close relationship between the magnitude of the blood lactate
increase and the V
˙
O
2
SC [7,12]. Indeed Saunders et al. [30] report-
ed that increased motor unit recruitment was responsible for the
close relationship between the V
˙
O
2
SC and blood lactate increase.
Altogether, effects of compressive garments on blood lactate re-
moval and muscle support function may lead to a reduced
muscle fatigue and a better exercise tolerance (i.e., lowered V
˙
O
2
SC). The mechanisms for such improvement remain speculative
and require further study.
In the present study we did not observe any difference in envi-
ronmental temperature during the experimental tests in PI as in
PII. During exercise, clothing can influence exercise HR due to
differences in tympanic temperature [22]. However we did not
observe any differences in HR among clothing conditions both
in PI and PII. Thus, the thermoregulatory stress associated with
each exercise test was likely identical. In spite of differences in
the amount of skin surface covered by elastic and compressive
clothing compared to shorts condition, we did not observe any
differences in sweating and comfort sensations, perceived exer-
tion, and for whole thermal sensation between clothing condi-
tions in both PI and PII. Note however that during PII, comfort
sensation for wearing compression tights was perceived as com-
Table 3 Mean values (± SE) of the difference in heart rate (HR) and minute ventilation (V
˙
E
) between minutes 2 and 15 during constant heavy
running exercises among different clothing conditions
V
˙
E
(l· min
–1
) HR (beats · min
–1
)
Short Elastic Compression Short Elastic Compression
Amplitude of increase 12.3 ± 2.8 11.5 ± 2.1 13.1 ± 2.5 12.2 ± 2.3 11.4 ± 3.0 9.8 ± 2.8
Minute 2 77.5 ± 5.9 79.1 ± 7.8 78.1 ± 5.9 162.1 ± 2.5 163.6 ± 3.9 165.2 ± 2.8
Minute 15 89.8 ± 5.8 90.6 ± 6.7 91.2 ± 7.8 174.3 ± 3.5 175.0 ± 3.2 175.1 ± 1.3
Bringard A et al. Oxygen Uptake Response and Wearing Improved Clothing … Int J Sports Med 2006; 27: 373 – 378
Training & Testing
377

fortable as wearing shorts. There were no significant differences
in weight loss between clothing conditions, suggesting that in
the moderately warm temperature test conditions (range of
24– 31
8
C), neither clothing nor skin coverage affects body mass
loss. Overall, our results are in accordance with those of Gavin et
al. [14] who demonstrated that at ∼ 30
8
C neither the addition of a
modest amount of clothing nor the fabric characteristics of the
clothing alters thermoregulatory and thermal comfort, and
sweating sensation responses during and after 30 min running
(70% V
˙
O
2max
) and 15 min walking (30% V
˙
O
2max
) exercises.
In conclusion, these preliminary results showed for the first time
that in the same environmental conditions a lower energy cost
was obtained at a submaximal exercise intensity (∼ 12 km · h
–1
)
by wearing compression and elastic tights compared to conven-
tional shorts. During heavy running exercise for 15 min duration,
wearing compression tights decreased by 26 and 36% the V
˙
O
2
slow component compared to elastic tights and conventional
shorts, respectively. Wearing compression tights during running
exercise may enhance overall circulation and decrease muscle
oscillations to promote a lower energy expenditure at a given
submaximal speed (i.e., lessening muscle fatigue). Further stud-
ies in this area are needed to understand the mechanisms of this
ergonomic interface during submaximal and prolonged running
exercise.
Acknowledgements
The investigators would like to express their thanks to the sub-
jects who made this study possible. This project was supported
in part by funds from Decathlon Creation Research Center.
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