ABSTRACT

　The effects of wearing compression undershirts with carbon microcoils (CMC) on muscle pain, stiffness/hardness, flexibility, and muscular strength in the lumbar region were studied in eight male subjects complaining of general malaise in their lumbar region. Subjects were studied before (Pre), 30 min after (30 min), and 10 days after (10 d) starting to keep wearing compression undershirts with either CMC or control material (BLK) according to a randomized, double-blind, cross-over design. Twoway repeated ANOVAs were used (CMC vs BLK and Pre vs 30 min vs 10 d) with significance accepted as P<0.05 and Bonferroni post hoc tests utilized as needed. No significant trial-by-time interaction was detected in pressure pain threshold, the degree of muscle pain, flexibility or muscular strength in the lumbar region (P>0.05). On the other hand, a significant interaction was observed in muscle stiffness/hardness measured by the tissue hardness meter (P=0.02). Although no significant difference between trials was detected in each measurement point (P>0.05), it seemed that CMC attenuated the increase in stiffness/hardness from 30 min to 10 d. These results suggest that wearing the compression undershirts with CMC did not have any significant impact on muscle pain, flexibility, or strength in the lumbar region; however it is possible that CMC inhibits muscle stiffness/hardness from developing to some extent.

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