Key Research Summaries
Click links above for full studies
Exercise Performance
The effect of compression garments during simulated netball trials
- T Higgins, The Australian Catholic University, Australia
This thesis from Australian Catholic University examined Skins™ in elite netball players using a range of performance parameters in a simulated game drill. This thesis presents an excellent and detailed review of existing literature. The results showed improvements in time spent at higher pace. There were no difference in lactic acid but the levels indicate that lactate accumulation did not occur.
Exercise Recovery & DOMS
Compression garments and recovery from eccentric exercise
- M I Trenell, K B Rooney, C M Sue and C H Thompson
Published in Journal of Sports Science and Medicine 2006;(%) 106-114
This study on 11 subjects used magnetic resonance Imaging (MRI) to demonstrate the muscle changes during recovery. The results showed significance improvement in enzymes involved in muscle membrane restoration after only 1 hour wearing Skins™ (long tights) after controlled muscle injury.
Effectiveness of post match recovery strategies in Rugby players
- N D Gill, C M Beavan and C Cook
Published in British Journal of Sports Medicine 2006; 40: 260-263
This study compared recovery strategies after elite rugby union games and found that ice baths, Skins™ and active recovery improved recovery rates by a similar but substantial amount.
The effect of 4 recovery techniques post competitive rugby matches plasma creatine kinase
- N Gill
This study conducted in NZ examined different recovery modes on blood CPK, a marker of muscle damage. This study showed similar reductions in CPK with all recovery strategies, including wearing Skins™, compared with no intervention.
Flight
A randomized, crossover, open-label study of the effectiveness of Skins™ travel and recovery garments in reducing in-flight ankle oedema
- M Hagan, SM Lambert
Published in Medical Journal of Australia 2008; 188 (2): 81-84
Hagan & Lambert (2006) did prospective measures on 50 passengers on flights of greater than 5 hours it showed significant differences in ankle circumference and symptoms of Economy Class Syndrome. Measurements were made on both the outgoing and return flights for each passenger – one wearing Skins™ and one not wearing Skins™.
Subjects reported that:
• they experienced increased concentration, alertness and energy levels
• their legs felt significantly better after the flight when they wore SkinsTM
• they experienced a significantly better night sleep after the flight
Injury Prevention & Treatment
The effect of compression garments on the recovery from eccentric exercise induced muscle damage
- M I Trenell, Kolling Medical Research Institute, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
This pilot study used magnetic resonance Imaging (MRI) to demonstrate the muscle changes during recovery. The results showed significance improvement in muscle pH after only 1 hour of wearing Skins™ (long tights) after controlled muscle injury.
The effects of wearing sports tights during training on lower leg volume in professional rugby league players
- K Morgan, The University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
This thesis compared leg volume (swelling) effect in 24 rugby league players and found that compression tights (including Skins™) significantly reduced muscle swelling and had the greatest effect on sprint training (where more eccentric injury occurs)
Strength, Proprioception & Muscle Awareness
The effect of graduated compression garments (Skins™) on distance running biomechanics
- I.S.P.O.R.T
This independent study in 6 subjects (a totals of 30 repeats) showed that there was no inhibition of running stride at the knee when wearing Skins™ long tights but there was improvement in propulsive forces from the hip.
The effect of Skins™ compression garments on ballistic strength in elite rugby league players
- B T Duffy
This internal study looked at ballistic strength as indicated by the distance a medicine ball can be repeatedly thrown. The group with Skins™ half-tights and short sleeved tops threw the medicine ball consistently further.
Blood Flow & Oxygenation
The physiological and performance effects of the lower body compression garments in high performance cyclists
- B Dascombe, A Scanlan, M Osbourne, B Humphries, P Reaburn
This independent study in 12 elite athletes showed dramatic improvements in muscle oxygenation during 1-hour time trials (1HTT) and maximal efforts, including increases in anaerobic threshold and increased muscle oxygenation during the recovery from intense exercise.
Wicking & Thermoregulation
Thermographic survey of high tech compression garments
- Thermovision Services, Farmborough Heights, New South Wales, Australia
This report used thermographs of two elite football players alternating between wearing Skins™ and not wearing Skins™. There are clear differences between the surface temperatures when wearing Skins™ of between 3 and 5 degrees at the working muscles.
The effects of Skins™ in different temperature conditions
- The Waikato Institute of Technology, Hamilton, New Zealand
This detailed study conducted at the Waikato Institute (NZ) compared the effects of Skins™ in different temperature conditions. The measurements include heat rate, core body temperature perception and heat stress, all of which improved when wearing Skins™ compared to controls.
Fatigue
Performance effects of wearing compression garments (Skins™) during exercise and recovery
- C K Argus, The Waikato Institute of Technology, Hamilton, New Zealand
This report is a post-graduate’s report of the effect of Skins™ on a large number of parameters over a seven day period. These studies found significant improvements in repeated sprint times at day 2 and 7; greater concentric and eccentric strength; and lower post-exercise pain.