Does this argument transfer to athletic performance? Do pneumatic compression devices help athletes reduce inflammation, recover from workouts, and improve performance? The case for compression It can be argued that insurance companies wouldn’t cover a device unless it is proven to help patients recover and avoid other more costly procedures. The risks of using a PCD are rare and include pressure injuries, nerve damage, and skin breakdown. Other times they are prescribed for people with lymphedema or when people have lower extremity venous insufficiency that can cause dermatitis, chronic edema, and venous ulcers. They help to keep edema (swelling caused by excess fluid trapped in body tissues) in check. For example, PCDs are often used post-surgery when a person is bed-ridden. These devices can be prescribed by doctors and are often covered by insurance for specific medical uses. The garment is intermittently inflated and deflated with cycle times and pressures that vary by use and user setting.īefore they became popular in the sporting world, they had long been used in the medical world. Compression devices: What are they?Ī pneumatic compression device (PCD) is an inflatable garment for the arms or legs that includes a pneumatic pump that fills the garment with compressed air. But first, let’s define exactly what they are. Below, we asked two USAT-certified coaches, Hector Torres (arguing the case for) and Susan Sotir (arguing the case against), to highlight the benefits and pitfalls. They’re expensive, they’re trendy, and the pros swear by them-but do compression boots really improve athletic performance? When we looked at the academic research on this topic, it was hard to find extensive evidence to support the use of compression devices in relation to athletic performance.
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