Eckert, N. R., Koceja, D., Mickleborough, T., & Stager, J. (June 03, 2010). Limb compression does not alter jump height variability during the vertical jump. Presentation 2310 at the 2010 Annual Meeting of the American College of Sports Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland; June 2-5.

This study examined repeated vertical jump impulse force and jump height variability under three different levels of thigh garment compression. Physically active males (N = 25) were asked to perform 10 maximal jumps while wearing three levels of upper thigh compression 1) Elastic compression shorts (proper fitting); 2) Undersized elastic compression shorts (one size smaller than recommended); and 3) oversized elastic compression. Velocity at takeoff and time to peak velocity were determined from force plate data from 10 maximal jumps for each of the three randomly presented levels of compression. The maximum, mean, and minimum jump height as well as the median, average deviation, and standard deviation of the maximum jump height were analyzed.

There was no significant effect of the levels of compression for the maximum, mean, or minimum jump height as well as the median, average deviation, and standard deviation of the maximum jump height. After co-varying for height, weight, and thigh circumference, no significant effect of the levels of compression was revealed.

Implication. Commercially available thigh-compression shorts dos not alter the ability to perform a standard repeat explosive lower limb task.

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