ABSTRACT

　Leg compression stockings have been used to prevent deep vein thrombosis. On the other hand, they often decrease blood flow in the skin and increase the mental stress caused by high pressure. This study aimed to obtain fundamental data regarding universal specifications for elastic leg compression stockings. The effects of pressure applied on each part of the leg, i.e., foot, ankle, calf, and thigh; on the blood circulating system; and the autonomic nerve response were determined. The results obtained were as follows. In the sitting posture, the skin blood flow decreased with increase in the leg pressure, in accordance with the distal end of the limb. In the sitting and supine postures, the heart rate decreased greatly with increase in the pressure on the calf. This indicates that the venous return improved. When pressure was applied on the calf, the decrease in the LF/HF, that is the ratio of low frequency to high frequency of the R-R interval, was greater than that seen in the others. Therefore, we concluded that pressure on the calf is most effective in increasing venous return.

DESCENTE SPORTS SCIENCE Vol.37/THE DESCENTE AND ISHIMOTO MEMORIAL FOUNDATION FOR THE PROMOTION SPORTS SCIENCE