This research proposal aims to measure the effect of compression clothing on exercise performance under different environmental conditions. The researchers hypothesize that compression clothing will improve physiological performance compared to no compression clothing. They plan to test male footballers in both normal and hot environments while measuring heart rate, temperature, and blood pressure both with and without compression clothing. The study aims to understand if compression clothing enhances performance and aids adjustment to changing climates, which could benefit athletes worldwide.

1. Research proposal by Muhammed Rahman, Sat
Singh, Simeon Patten, Leonard Antwi, Mohamed
Mahamud & Aaron Williams

3. Thermoregulation – the practice of maintaining body
temperature
Compression Clothing
Physical > Physiological? – MacRae et al. (2011)

4. Medical application
Sporting application in 1980s
Improved jumping power – Kraemer et al., 1996
Little argument

5. Berry and McMurray (1987) – Medical application of
compression clothing
Horner et al. (1980) – Effect of compression stockings

6. Born et al. and MacRae et al.
Ali et al. (2007)
Bringard et al. (2006)
Study bias?

7. Reduction in muscle swelling and pain – Born et al. (2013)
Less post-exercise soreness and greater power/torque –
MacRae et al. (2011)
Better running technique and reduced exertion – Born et al.
(2014)

8. Measuring the effect of compression clothing on exercise
performance
Can it enhance physiological performance in typical sporting
scenarios, as well as help athletes adjust to changing
climates?

10. H0 – There is no difference in physiological performance
between exercise with compression clothing and exercise
without compression clothing.
H1 – There is a difference in physiological performance
between exercise with compression clothing and exercise
without compression clothing.

11. IV
Compression Clothing
Climate (Hypoxic Heat Chamber vs. ‘Normal’ Environment)
DV
Heart Rate – heart rate monitor
Temperature – infrared thermometer
Blood Pressure – sphygmomanometer

13. Male footballers, recruited from Second-string KU Football
Club
10 players recruited with informed consent
4 extra recruited in case of participant withdrawal
Mass and stature measured prior to experiment (M and SD
taken)
Participants updated via Twitter and e-mails

14.  2 x Baseline Tests – 11.5kmph/14kmph on treadmill (2 x 20
minutes, unaltered, room-temperature conditions (1), heat
chamber at 30 degrees Celsius (2))
 Trial 1 – Same procedure, next week, with compression
clothing provided (Nike Pro-core compression t-shirt and shorts)
 Trial 2 – Next week, same procedure, in hypoxic heat chamber
(30oC)
 7-minute break in between 20-min trials (water only)
 Measurements taken before, in-between & after 47-min:
body temperature, heart rate and blood pressure

15. Experimental Design – Quasi, Repeated Measures
Descriptive statistics – M and SD calculated on scores from
each condition, presented in separate bar charts
Inferential Statistics – Repeated Measures ANOVA, p<0.05

16. Experimenter bias
Individual differences
Ecological validity
Unrepresentative sample

17. Intra-subject variations
Inaccurate measurements
Individual differences

18. Understand whether compression clothing enhances
performance in normal or hot climates… or both
Understanding whether compression clothing enhances
physiological performance
Beneficial to athletes worldwide

19.  Ali, A., Caine, M.P., Snow, B.G. (2007) ‘Graduated compression stockings: physiological and perceptual responses during
and after exercise’, J Sports Sci., 25, pp. 413–419.
 Born, D., Holmberg, H.-C., Goernert, F. and Sperlich, B. (2014) ‘A novel compression garment with adhesive silicone
stripes improves repeated sprint performance – a multi-experimental approach on the underlying mechanisms’, BMC
Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation. BioMed Central, 6(1).
 Born, D., Sperlich, B. and Holmberg, H. (2013) ‘Bringing light into the dark: effects of compression clothing on
performance and recovery’ International Journal of Sport Physiology and Performance, 1, pp. 4–18.
 Berry, M.J. and McMurray, R.G. (1987) ‘Effects of graduated compression stockings on blood lactate following an
exhaustive bout of exercise’, American Journal of Physical Medicine, 66(3), pp. 121–32.
 Bringard, A., Perrey, S., Belluye, N. (2006) ‘Aerobic energy cost and sensation responses during submaximal running
exercise positive effects of wearing compression tights’, Int J Sports Med, 27, pp. 373–378.
 Chatard, J.C., Atlaoui, Farjanel, Louisy, Rastel and Guézennec, C.Y. (2004) ‘Elastic stockings, performance and leg pain
recovery in 63-year-old sportsmen’, European Journal of Applied Physiology, Springer, 93(3), pp. 347–352.
 Duffield, R., Cannon, J. and King, M. (2010) ‘The effects of compression garments on recovery of muscle performance
following high-intensity sprint and plyometric exercise’, Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 13(1), pp. 136–140.

20.  Gelling, L. (2011) ‘Informed Consent in Health and Social Care Research’, 2nd edition, 20 Cavendish Square, London,
W16 0RN, Royal College of Nursing.
 Herman, S. L., & Smith, D. T. (2008) ‘Four-Week Dynamic Stretching Warm-Up Intervention Elicits Longer-Term
Performance Benefits’, Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 22(4), 1286(12).
 Horner, J., Fernandes, J., Fernandes, E. and Nicolaides, A. . (1980) ‘Value of graduated compression stockings in deep
venous insufficiency.’, BMJ, 280(6217), pp. 820–821.
 Kraemer, W., Bush, J., Bauer, J., Triplett-McBride, T., Paxton, N., Clemson, A., Koziris, P., Mangino, L., Fry, A. and
Newton, R. (1996) ‘Influence of Compression Garments on Vertical Jump Performance in NCAA Division I Volleyball
Players’, Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 10(3), pp. 180–183.
 MacRae, B., Cotter, J. and Laing, R. (2011) ‘Compression Garments and Exercise’, Sports Medicine. Springer, 41(10), pp.
815–843.
 Sperlich, B., Haegele, M., Achtzehn, S., Linville, J., Holmberg, H.C., Mester, J. (2010) ‘Different types of compression
clothing do not increase sub-maximal and maximal endurance performance in well-trained athletes’, J Sports Sci, 28,
pp. 609–614.