The Impact of a Single Intermittent Pneumatic Compression Bout on Performance, Inflammatory Markers, and Myoglobin in Football Athletes

Abstract

Intermittent Pneumatic Compression (IPC) use as a tool for recovery after exercise has recently become widespread among athletes. While there is strong anecdotal support for IPC, little research has been done to show its effectiveness in recovery. Eight collegiate football athletes were recruited and subjected to IPC or control conditions in a randomized crossover manner during off-season training. Countermovement jump (CMJ) and 10m sprint were evaluated before training, at 3 and 24 hours following training. Self-reported soreness, blood markers of inflammation [interleukin-6, interleukin-10, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1)] and muscle damage (myoglobin) were measured before training, post-training, post-recovery and at 3 and 24 hours post-training. Significant time effects were observed in MCP-1 and myoglobin (p < 0.05) indicating an inflammatory response and muscle damage. No group differences (p > 0.05) were observed between recovery interventions for all measures, suggesting that the IPC protocol used was not effective in this population.