Eur J Appl Physiol (2012) 112:2163–2169 DOI 10.1007/s00421-011-2186-7 123 ORIGINAL ARTICLE EVects of diVerent levels of compression during sub-maximal and high-intensity exercise on erythrocyte deformability Patrick Wahl · Wilhelm Bloch · Joachim Mester · Dennis-Peter Born · Billy Sperlich Received: 1 April 2011 / Accepted: 17 September 2011 / Published online: 1 October 2011  Springer-Verlag 2011 Abstract The aim of the study was to test the hypothesis whether diVerent levels of sock compression (0, 10, 20, and 40 mmHg) aVect erythrocyte deformability and metabolic parameters during sub-maximal and maximal running. Nine well-trained, male endurance athletes (age 22.2 § 1.3 years, peak oxygen uptake 57.7 § 4.5 mL min ¡1 kg ¡1 ) car- ried out four periods of sub-maximal running at 70% of peak oxygen uptake for 30 min followed by a ramp test until exhaustion with and without compression socks that applied diVerent levels of pressure. Erythrocyte deformabi- lity, blood lactate, heart rate and arterial partial pressure of oxygen (pO 2 ) were monitored before and during all of these tests. Erythrocyte deformability, heart rate, pO 2 and lactate concentration were unaVected by compression, whereas exercise itself signiWcantly increased erythrocyte deforma- bility. However, the increasing eVects of exercise were attenuated when high compression was applied. This Wrst evaluation of the potential eVects of increasing levels of compression on erythrocyte deformability and metabolic parameters during (sub-) maximal exercise, revealed no eVects whatsoever. Keywords LORCA · Rigidity · Blood lactate · Running Introduction The popularity of knee-high compression socks in connec- tion with a range of sports, and especially among endurance athletes, has been increasing. Both high-performance and recreational athletes have begun wearing elastic compres- sion socks during a range of activities, in particular, endur- ance events such as running and triathlons. It is well recognized that extra-dermal compression reduces the overall cross-sectional area of the lower limb and increases the linear velocity of blood Xow in the venous system (Ido et al. 1995; Meyerowitz and Nelson 1964; Stanton et al. 1949). This reduction leads to an improved mean linear blood Xow of 0.5 to 2.5 cm s ¡1 (Litter 1952). Increased velocity of Xow reduces venous stasis by reduc- ing venous wall distension, local contact time and increases the clearance of metabolites such as blood lactate (Berry and McMurray 1987; Chatard et al. 2004). Several studies observed an alteration in erythrocyte deformability when lactate concentration is increased while exercising (Brun et al. 1991, 1994a, b; Lipovac et al. 1985; Smith et al. 1997; Yalcin et al. 2003). In this context, it has been shown that low intensity exercise, promoting moderate lactate eleva- tion, increase erythrocyte rigidity (Brun et al. 1994a) as well as high intensity workout (Brun et al. 1991). The abil- ity of the blood to Xow freely through the vascular bed is Communicated by Susan A. Ward. P. Wahl (&) · J. Mester · D.-P. Born Institute of Training Science and Sport Informatics, German Sport University Cologne, Am Sportpark Müngersdorf 6, 50933 Cologne, Germany e-mail: Wahl@dshs-koeln.de P. Wahl · W. Bloch Department of Molecular and Cellular Sport Medicine, Institute of Cardiovascular Research and Sport Medicine, German Sport University Cologne, Cologne, Germany P. Wahl · W. Bloch · J. Mester The German Research Centre of Elite Sport, German Sport University Cologne, Cologne, Germany B. Sperlich Department of Sport Science, University of Wuppertal, Wuppertal, Germany