EFFECT OF COMPRESSION STOCKINGS ON PHYSIOLOGICAL RESPONSES AND RUNNING PERFORMANCE IN DIVISION III COLLEGIATE CROSS-COUNTRY RUNNERS DURING A MAXIMAL TREADMILL TEST BRIAN C. RIDER, 1,2 ADAM M. COUGHLIN, 3 TAMARA D. HEW-BUTLER, 1 AND BRIAN R. GOSLIN 1 1 School of Health Science, Oakland University, Rochester, Michigan; 2 University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee; and 3 Human Performance Lab, Adrian College, Adrian, Michigan ABSTRACT Rider, BC, Coughlin, AM, Hew-Butler, TD, and Goslin, BR. Effect of compression stockings on physiological responses and running performance in division III collegiate cross-country runners during a maximal treadmill test. J Strength Cond Res 28(6): 1732–1738, 2014—There is a growing trend for runners to use compression stockings (CS) to improve performance. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of CS on physiological variables associated with running performance. Participants were 10 NCAA division III cross-country runners. The study used a randomized, crossover design with 2 con- ditions (with CS and without CS). Both conditions con- sisted of a maximal treadmill test that involved 3-minute stages of increasing speed and incline, separated by a minute and one-half walking recovery stage. Seven days later, the participants repeated the maximal test but switched CS condition. Heart rate, blood lactate (BLa), blood lactate threshold, maximal oxygen consumption (V _ O 2 max), respiratory exchange ratio, rating of perceived exertion, and time to fatigue were measured. Before and during the maximal treadmill tests, the variables showed no significant difference (p # 0.05) between the CS con- ditions. Blood lactate was lower while wearing CS when measured during recovery at the 1-minute (CS = 13.3 6 2.9 mmol $L 21 , non-CS = 14.8 6 2.8 mmol $L 21 , p = 0.03) and the 5-minute (CS = 11.0 6 2.7 mmol $L 21 , non-CS = 12.8 6 2.8 mmol$L 21 , p = 0.02) periods. Time to fatigue was longer without CS (CS = 23.570 6 2.39 minutes, non- CS = 23.93 6 2.49 minutes, p = 0.04). These findings suggest that CS may not improve running performance, but could lend credence to certain manufacturers’ claims of improved recovery through lower BLa values after exercise. KEY WORDS recovery, blood lactate, lactate threshold, running, compression garments, lactate INTRODUCTION C ompression stockings (CS) have traditionally been designed for and used by populations suffer- ing from venous return insufficiency (VI) second- ary to a number of diseases or disabilities (20,22) or at risk for developing deep vein thrombosis (23). Com- pression stockings enhance the skeletal muscle pump func- tion thereby increasing blood circulation back to the heart from the limbs. Lower extremity CS act on the calf muscle pump (capable, in healthy individuals, of generating pres- sures of greater than 200 mm Hg) and promote even greater venous return than normal conditions (4). Numerous studies have illustrated the benefits of CS in rehabilitation settings and among those suffering from VI (6,19). However, there is a relatively new interest in using CS in athletics. Compression stockings and other compression garments have been tested among a diverse population of athletes (10–12,15,16). Some CS manufacturers claim that similar benefits of CS experienced among chronic disease and/or disability patients (improved venous return, improved circulation, decrease in leg soreness, and swelling) can be of use to athletes, particularly endurance runners (24). Conse- quently, CS have been marketed as a way to reduce lactic acid buildup in the legs during exercise while improving energy, performance, and recovery (24). Despite manufacturers’ claims and the growing popularity among runners, there have been few studies examining the effect of CS on running performance specifically (8,15). These studies have examined both standard (8) and gradu- ated CS (15). Whereas standard CS exert constant pressure, graduated CS exert varying levels of compression. Typically, Address correspondence to Brian C. Rider, brider1@utk.edu. 28(6)/1732–1738 Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research Ó 2014 National Strength and Conditioning Association 1732 Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research the TM Copyright © National Strength and Conditioning Association Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited.