This study investigated the effect of compression of thigh and its intensity on the knee extension torque in Experiment 1. Compression was applied to the thigh by using a cuff inflator at 10, 20 and 30 mmHg. Evoked isometric doublet torque (Supramaximal intensity, 30 ms of inter-pulse interval, 500 μs of pulse duration) of knee extension was measured with and without thigh compression. Double torque with thigh compression at 20 mmHg was significantly higher than that without compression. Then, in Experiment 2, we compared the magnitude of thigh muscle oscillation during doublet contractions, which was measured by using a 3-axis accelerometer placed on muscle belly of the vastus lateralis, among four conditions. The magnitudes of muscle oscillation with compression at 10, 20 and 30 mmHg were smaller than that without compression, but not different among the three compression conditions. These results suggest that the force-generating capacity of knee extensors is affected by thigh compression and that there is an optimal compression intensity for enhancing the muscle force, although the reduced muscle oscillation by compressing the thigh does not necessarily lead to the enhancement of muscle force.

DESCENTE SPORTS SCIENCE Vol.35/THE DESCENTE AND ISHIMOTO MEMORIAL FOUNDATION FOR THE PROMOTION SPORTS SCIENCE