Compression pants with differential pressurization: Kinetic and kinematical effects on stability

Abstract

Clothing pressure is a very important variable in compression garments that is frequently omitted in other studies, despite the possibility of altering the experimental design and results. Most studies focus on testing the effects of released products rather than on how to design them. The aim of this study is to identify methods to increase stability of an extremity by developing compression pants with a design that assigns differential pressurization. CP1 (clothing pressure knee region: 0.95–1.03 kPa), which reinforces the knee joint, and CP2 (clothing pressure knee region: 1.67–2.12 kPa), which reinforces the knee joint and hamstring, are developed. In addition, CCP (clothing pressure knee region: 0.44–0.58 kPa) was developed as a control garment. Seven subjects wearing CP1, CP2, or CCP, performed single-leg landing from 40 cm height, for motion analysis. As a result, the angular velocity of the hip and knee, as well as the knee joint range of motion was increased significantly when CP1 are worn. Therefore, CP1 is efficient in absorbing the energy of the impact, making it much practical in terms of stability. The peak vertical ground reaction force showed little difference when different design of compression pants were tested. Meanwhile, CP2 significantly increases the knee moment. It is important to add that even a subtle manipulation of the level, location, or the method of pressurization significantly changes the stability of joints and the performance of exercise. This research shows that the functions of compression garments differ according to the level of pressurization and differential pressurization.