Author(s): LAZAROWITZ ZANZURI, C., TSUK, S., ARNON, M., NARKIS, M., RUBIN, Y., Institution: LEVINSKY-WINGATE ACADEMIC CENTER - WINGATE CAMPUS: THE ACADEMIC COLLEGE LEVINSKY, Country: ISRAEL, Abstract-ID: 659

INTRODUCTION:
There is significant importance in identifying effective recovery strategies following intense bouts of exercise in order to maintain training quality, support adherence to progressive exercise programs, and meet health and performance guidelines. High-intensity exercise places substantial acute stress on the neuromuscular system and may temporarily impair physical performance. One post-exercise recovery method that has gained increasing attention in recent years is the use of compression-based modalities, which are thought to enhance recovery primarily by increasing blood flow. While previous evidence suggests that compression pneumatic compression devices (PCD) may influence recovery, their effectiveness following short-duration, high-intensity exercise remains unclear. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the effects of lower-limb pneumatic compression on recovery following an intense exercise bout, compared with a sham condition.
METHODS:
This study employed a randomized crossover design comparing a real pneumatic compression device (PCD) intervention with a sham treatment. Thirty trained, healthy young adults (12 men, 18 women; age 26.2 ± 4.5 years) completed two laboratory sessions separated by 1–2 weeks. In each session, participants performed a Wingate test to induce acute fatigue through a short-duration, maximal effort, followed by 20 minutes of either PCD treatment (80 mmHg, sequential squeezing mode) or sham treatment using the same sleeves without inflation. Horizontal jump performance, heart rate, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure were assessed before and after the recovery intervention. Delayed-onset muscle soreness was self-reported 24 h post-exercise. Data were analyzed using repeated-measures ANOVA.

RESULTS:
No significant differences were observed in maximal horizontal jump performance between the PCD and sham conditions before and after the intervention. A strong main effect of sex was observed (p < 0.001), with higher jump performance in men, but no sex-specific response to the intervention. Heart rate demonstrated a significant main effect of time (p = 0.004), with similar responses in the PCD and sham conditions. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure showed no significant changes before and after the intervention in either condition. Self-reported muscle soreness was reported by 4 of 30 participants following the sham condition, with no reports following the PCD condition.
CONCLUSION:
Lower-limb pneumatic compression did not enhance short-term recovery following an intense exercise bout compared with sham treatment in healthy young adults.