Science. It’s what makes us tick.
The hidden substance behind the products – that reinforces the evidence that SKINS significantly enhance your power and endurance, reduce lactic acid build-up in your muscles, and help to eliminate exercise induced muscle damage (EIMD).
We’re guessing it makes you tick too - though maybe not quite in the same obsessive way.
So whenever we discover something earth shattering in the SKINS Research Institute, or we receive independent university results, they are placed here for the world to see.
Because we're proud of our scientific heritage and believe in disclosing all of the evidence-based research conducted on SKINS.
So who’s conducted research on SKINS so far?
- Dr Nick Gill, Strength and Conditioning Coach - Waikato Chiefs
- Dr Peter Clothier, Sports and Exercise Science Lecturer and Researcher - School of Biomedical & Health Sciences, University of Western Sydney, Australia
- Mr Dayne Walker, Researcher - School of Biomedical & Health Sciences, University of Western Sydney, Australia
- Dr Michael Trenell, (Currently in the UK)
- Jason McLaren, Research Consultant - iSPORT Biomechanics
- Melinda Wosik, Clinical Trials Coordinator - Western Sydney Area Health
- Laurence Houghton, Researcher - School of Human Movement and Exercise Science, The University of Western Australia
- Dr Ben Dascombe, Sports Science Lecturer - University of Newcastle
- Mr Aaron Scanlan, Research Lecturer - School of Medical and Applied Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, Engineering & Health, Central Queensland University
- Melissa Hagan, Clinical Researcher - MPRO
- Aaron Scanlan, Research Lecturer - School of Medical and Applied Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, Engineering & Health, Central Queensland University
What have they found?
Their research has proved that SKINS:
- increases venous return
- reduces exercise induced muscle damage (EIMD)
- accelerates recovery processes
- removes lactic acid faster
- increases strength and power
- improves endurance
- increases muscle oxygenation
- improves body temperature control
- reduces in-flight ankle oedema
Other benefits
As well as their well-documented sporting benefits, SKINS gradient compression has been found to relieve medical complaints including:
- arthritis
- chronic fatigue syndrome
- lymphoedema
- varicose veins
- deep vein thrombosis
It’s all down to the increased oxygen in your blood.
Endorsements
The Australian Physiotherapist Association (APA) has endorsed SKINS as a leader in compression performance equipment.
They made the recommendation after rigorous testing by APA-commissioned sports scientists – which confirmed SKINS’ ability to enhance performance, endurance and recovery.
SKINS – registered medical devices
SKINS garments are registered with the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) as medical devices within the Australian market.
AU TGA Listing #125067, AU TGA Listing #142986
To enhance the profile of SKINS products, we are looking to get similar endorsements in other markets.
Key Research Summaries
Journal Publications
The Effects of Wearing Lower-Body Compression Garments During Endurance Cycling
Scanlan A, Dascombe B, Reaburn P, Osbourne M Published in International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance (2008) 3, (4). This study examined the effects of SKINS lower-body compression garments (LBCG) during a one-hour cycling time trial on twelve well-trained cyclists. Reseults showed increases in muscle oxygenation economy and improvements in cycling economy, suggesting SKINS LBCG may delay the onset of fatigue and prolong optimal performance for well-trained endurance cyclists.
Effects of wearing compression garments on physiological and performance measures in a simulated game-specific circuit for netball
Trevor Higgins, Geraldine A. Naughton, Darren Burgess Published in Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport (2009) 12, 223—226 This study investigated the effectiveness of SKINS gradient compression garments in improving physiological variables in a netball-specific circuit. Data recorded from a Global Positioning System (GPS) of nine subjects revealed greater distances were travelled at a faster velocity (3.5ms-1) when wearing SKINS gradient compression garments compared with wearing usual netball attire and a placebo garment. This suggests during a netball game, players may be able to cover more distance during short sprints by wearing SKINS gradient compression garments than without them.
Compression garments and recovery from eccentric exercise: A P-MRS study.
Trenell M.I, Rooney K.B, Sue C.M, and Thompson C.H. Published in Journal of Sports Science and Medicine (2006) 5, 106-114. This study investigated whether compression garments could benefit metabolic recovery from eccentric exercise. Following 30 minutes of downhill walking the muscle metabolites of eleven subjects were evaluated at baseline, 1 hour and 48 hours utilising P-magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The results of the study shows that wearing SKINS resulted in an increase in cell membrane turnover (PDE), which helps alter the inflammatory response to muscle damage and accelerates recovery processes.
Effectiveness of post-match recovery strategies in rugby players
N D Gill, C M Beaven, C Cook Published in British Journal of Sports Medicine 2006;40:260–263. This study examined the effectiveness of contrast water therapy, SKINS gradient compression garments, low intensity active exercise, and passive recovery on the rate and magnitude of muscle damage recovery, as measured by the enzyme Creatine Kinase. Measurements of 23 elite rugby union players took place before, immediately after, 36 hours after, and 84 hours after competitive rugby matches. The rugby match resulted induced significant increases in player creatine kinase levels. The results also revealed the magnitude of recovery in the passive recovery intervention was significantly worse than in the low intensity active exercise, contrast water therapy, and SKINS gradient compression garment interventions at the 36 and 84 hour time points.The authors concluded that low impact exercise immediately post-competition, wearing gradient compression garments, or carrying out contrast water therapy promotes better physiological recovery than passive methods in young male athletes.
Comparison of three types of full-body compression garments on throwing and repeat-sprint performance in cricket players
Rob Duffield, Marc Portus British Journal of Sports Medicine 2007; 41:409–414 This study compared the effects of three types of full-body compression garments, including SKINS, on repeat-sprint and throwing performance in cricket players. Ten male cricket players performed randomised exercise sessions with each of the three garments and a control garment. The results revealed significant differences in mean skin temperature, lower 24 hour post exercise creatine kinase values and lower 24 hour post exercise ratings of muscle soreness when wearing compression garments. In conclusion, the authors indicate the potential benefits in utilising gradient compression garments as a thermal insulator in cool conditions, and as a recovery intervention tool after high-intensity exercise to reduce post exercise trauma.
A randomised, crossover, open-label study of the effectiveness of SKINS – Travel & Recovery garments in reducing in-flight ankle oedema
Hagan, M., Lambert, S. Published in Medical Journal of Australia 2008; 188 (2): 81-84. This study did prospective measures on 50 passengers on flights of greater than 5 hours with measurements conducted on both the outgoing and return flights for each passenger – one wearing SKINS and one not wearing SKINS. Results showed significant differences in ankle circumference and symptoms of Economy Class Syndrome. More specifically, results found that participants wearing gradient compression garments (SKINS) during air travel experienced
- 55% decrease in ankle swelling
- 58% improvement in leg pain
- 52% improvement in leg discomfort
- demonstrated improvements in alertness, concentration, energy, fluid retention and improved post flight sleep