What is the Effect of Compression Garments on a Novel Kick Accuracy Task?

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of wearing long leg compression garments (CGs) on the accuracy of elite football players performing a novel kicking task. A double-blinded, crossover, randomised and controlled laboratory trial was used to examine the contribution of the long leg CGs to kicking accuracy of a drop-punt-kick. The drop-punt-kick is a backward spinning kick often used in Australian Rules. Participants performed 10 drop-punt-kicks towards a target for each garment condition (fitted, over-sized and training shorts) with both their dominant and non-dominant leg. Kicking accuracy data was collected using a high-speed camera. Kicking accuracy between garment conditions was only significantly different when kicking with the dominant leg (p = 0.002). Kicking accuracy was reduced in the fitted CG condition compared to the oversized CG (mean difference = 20 cm, p = 0.018) and for fitted CGs compared to training shorts (mean difference = 21 cm, p = 0.003) indicating that the fitted CGs had a negative effect on kicking accuracy. As these compression garments are worn regularly during training, further research is required to determine the long-term effect on skill development.