SKINS RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

RESEARCH

The scientific evidence of the effectiveness of Skins™ compression performance equipment:

Skins™ are high quality, full-length gradient compression performance equipment similar in action to other anti-embolic stockings. The gradient compression provides an external pressure gradient, from distal to proximal (i.e. from ankle to hip) that mechanically assists venous return.

Skins™ are different from regular compression shorts and tights. The applied pressures differ along the length of garment and are engineered to provide a pressure gradient that facilitates circulation and removal of fluid and wastes. This gradient has been shown to improve microcirculation and tissue oxygenation.

Studies on similar medical garments have been shown that this effect reduces lactic acid production during exercise. However, these improvements have not been shown in products with uniform compression, such as bike pants, tights and support hose, which may even have detrimental effects on venous return.

Skins™ compression performance equipment all work by a similar series of mechanisms. Their effect is noted in performance during exercise, recovery from exercise and prevention of injury and effects of blood stasis, as occurs in cardiovascular insufficiency, such as varicose veins. However, the most research has been done on the effect of similar products toward the prevention of the effects of flying on the body. These products are known as gradient compression stockings (GCS).

FLIGHT EFFECTS

The rise of the economy class syndrome, which finds that people immobile for long periods of time are more likely to develop blood clots (that result in DVTs or pulmonary embolisms), prompted more research into the use of GCS during flights, particular as the dehydration and reduced oxygenation that occur during flight make the blood "thicker" and more likely to clot.

Also, wearing CGS similar to Skins™ appear to prevent these effects and significant reduce swollen legs and ankles. The combination of these and other finding prompted a detailed report to the House of Lords (UK) to recommend that GCS be worn by all in-flight personnel.

DURING EXERCISE (PERFORMANCE EFFECTS)

Skins™ also improve exercise performance. Post-exercise blood lactate levels are significantly lower, implying that aerobic metabolism is enhanced, because lactate is produced during anaerobic metabolism.

The latter study found that the group that wore Skins™ peaked at similar VO2max and blood lactate at the group that did not, but that the time to exhaustion at VO2max velocity was much longer in the Skins™ group and showed a distinct performance advantage to wearing Skins™ during exercise. Marked improvements have been found endurance measures (40% in anaerobic threshold and 10% in VO2max). Strength and power have also been shown to be improved.

A recent study in 63 year old sports people found some perceived gains in performance. This study found lower lactate production and reduced dehydration when wearing GCS during exercise. The lower lactate production has also been shown in an early study by McMurray and Berry. A recent study by Kraemer found that muscle alignment (proprioception) was improved and muscle vibration reduced when wearing GCS. An earlier study by Kramer showed that vertical jump power reduced less when wearing GCS. This latter finding shows that fatigue is reduced when wearing CGS.

The latter study also showed that time to exhaustion at the maximum endurance level was significantly longer when wearing Skins™. This finding shows that short term fatigue is reduced. Similarly, a study by Kramer showed that repeated vertical jump power was maintained longer wearing compression garments.

Compression products, similar to Skins™ have been shown (Doan et al) to increase jump power and reduce muscle vibration. This study showed no improvement in 60m sprint times but did show improvements in range of motion and running technique.

An in-house study showed that the distance that a medicine ball can be thrown, after an intensive weight session, improved significantly whilst wearing Skins™. Skins™ have been shown to have an immediate improvement in the number of repetitions at 80% of maximum lift (15% or 2.4 reps).

Skins™ are made of a special combination of fabric that wicks moisture away from the skin. This action promotes evaporative cooling. Cooling has been shown to decrease the perception of exertion during repeated sprints (although the performance results were unchanged).

Another feature of Skins™ is their cooling effect. Skins™ are composed of a wicking fabric that promotes evaporative cooling and prevents moisture accumulating underneath the garment. Thermal imaging shows that this feature can reduce surface temperature by 3 Celsius. This effect not only leaves skin dry in the heat but enhances evaporative cooling, with a greater effect the more the wearer perspires. Thus, the garment is cooling, particularly during exercise. They also accelerate warm up of cold muscles.

AFTER EXERCISE (RECOVERY EFFECTS)

One of the most recognised actions of Skins™ occurs during recovery from exercise and relate to prevention of delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS).

DOMS was originally attributed to increased lactate production and CGSs have been shown to decrease post-exercise blood lactate levels. The actual cause of DOMS is in dispute, but is thought to relate to eccentric injury during exercise. A recent study on Skins™ using MRI technology showed that the effect of deliberate eccentric injury was almost completely resolved 1 hour after injury (when wearing Skins™ ).

WORKPLACE

An obvious application of Skins™ is in standing occupations. People with varicose veins will benefit from wearing CGS. There have been a few studies that have shown benefits wearing CGS with swollen legs and other cardiovascular symptoms that occur in standing occupations. These findings have prompted advice on the wearing of CGS during work activities. A definitive study found that evening leg oedema (swelling) was significantly reduced wearing CGS with a similar pressure profile to Skins™ and recommended their use in all standing or sitting occupations. These findings were reproduced in another study which also found decreased discomfort and fatigue.

MEDICAL APPLICATIONS

i) Cardio-vascular insufficiency (poor circulation)

For patients with vascular disease, wearing Skins™ will help to promote circulation. The compression may also help to alleviate pains that arise from poor circulation and also provide a protective barrier for them so that they do not knock her legs, because grazes often become sores and ulcers in people with poor circulation.

One of the principal actions of Skins™ is to improve microcirculation. Microcirculation refers to the tiny blood vessels that come in contact with the tissues. The walls of these vessels are very thin to allow oxygen and nutrients to escape to feed the tissues and also to transfer byproducts, such as carbon dioxide, back into the blood to be transported away.

CVI is known to cause impairment of microcirculation, am this is often manifested as skin ulcers. In a study of 50 CVI patients, microcirculation changes correlated with worsening clinical symptoms and included a decrease in the number of capillaries, changes in capillary morphology, a drop in the oxygen content (tcpO2) of the skin, increased permeability of the capillaries to low-molecular-weight substances, increased laser Doppler flux reflecting elevated subcutaneous flow, and diminished vascular reserve . This study examined the effect of CGS on microcirculation markers in mild and moderate CVI over 4 weeks and found an increase in the number of capillaries, the capillaries were less dilated and the oxygenation of the skin was significantly improved. In a study of 80 CVI patients, skin blood flow and reflexes were abnormal when compared to normal and significantly improved after wearing GCS. This study also found that skin ulcers healed better when wearing GCS. A further study that examined tissue oxygenation in 10 CVI patients found that all classes of GCS improved oxygenation, although the higher pressures did elicit larger effects.

However, microcirculation is not only impaired in gross vascular disease. A study using MRI technology to examine the effects microcirculatory limits has shown that in 14 symptomless diabetics have significant microcirculatory changes. These changes are similar to those seen in muscle injury and physical training increases the number and density of capillaries in the muscle.

ii) Diabetes

In a study that examined the effect of GCS on capillary blood flow over 12 and 24 weeks in 38 diabetics, it was found that the abnormalities in capillary blood flow seen in diabetics were significantly improved.

In the control group of 36 diabetics who did not wear GCS there was no change in capillary blood flow. In a larger study of 140 diabetics (70 wore GCS, 70 did not) that measured transcutaneous oxygenation as well as capillary blood flow over 5 and 12 months found similar improvements capillary blood flow and skin oxygenation in the diabetics who wore GCS that were not evident in the control (no GCS) group.

iii) Lymphoedema

CGS have been found of value in reducing swelling in Lymphoedema, which is a major problem in this disorder.

Overall, Skins™ are different from regular compression shorts and tights. The applied pressures differ along the length of garment and are engineered to provide a pressure gradient that has been shown to improve microcirculation and tissue oxygenation. The combination of this gradient with thermoregulatory fabric reduces lactic acid production during exercise, and increases muscle power and proprioception. Muscle vibration is reduced and these effects are likely to reduce injury during exercise. The most profound effects are during recovery, where muscle restoration has been shown to be accelerated substantially whilst wearing Skins™.

ARTICLES RESEARCH AND REFERENCES

Junger M, Steins A, Hahn M, Hafner HM, 2000
Belcaro G, Christopoulos A, Nicolaides AN, 1990
Berry MJ, McMurray RG, 1987
Chatard JC, Atlaoui D, Farjanel J, Louisy F, Rastel D, Guezennec CY, 2004
Godin MS, Rice JC, Kerstein MD, 1987
Dalen, J, 2003
Belcaro G, Cesarone M,Shah, et al 2002
Kakkos, S, Geroulakos G 2003
UK Parliament, 2000
Duffy B, 2002
Lambert SM, Chow C, 2004
Lambert SM, 2005(1)
Chatard J, Atlaoui D, Farjanel J et al, 2004
Berry MJ, McMurray RG, 1987
Doan B, Kwon Y, Newton, 2003v Kraemer W, 1987
Duffy B, 2004
Lambert SM, 2005(1)
Duffield R, Dawson B , Bishop D et al 2003
Wylangowski R, 2004
Doan B, Kwon Y, Newton, 2003
Portero, P, Maisetti O, 2000
Trenell M, 2005
Hirai M, Iwata H, Hayakawa N, 2002
Weiss RA, Duffy D 1999
UK Parliament, 2000
Krijnen RM, de Boer EM, Ader HJ, et al 1997
Partch H, Winiger, J, Lun B 2004
Kraemer, William J.; Volek, Jeff S.; Bush, Jill A. Et Al 2000
Junger M, Steins A, Hahn M Hafner H, 2000
Belcaro G, Grigg M, Vasdekis S et al, 1988
Agu O, Baker D, Sefilian A, 2004
Razac f, Anand, S, 2004
Belcaro G, Laurora G, Cesarone M et al 1993
Belcaro G, Christopoulos A, Nicolaides A, 1990
Yasuhara H, Shigematsu H, Muto T. 1996

How Skins work Why Skins work Faq's Shipping Security Order line: 01274 530 530