Acute effects of novel forearm compression sleeves on lactate accumulation, heart rate, perceived exertion and pain in elite climbers

Enhancing performance and recovery are inherent purposes in elite sports. In this regard, compression garments have been applied successfully in endurance sports. These tools were mainly attached to the lower limb. The effects of forearm compression sleeves on relevant performance measures in climbing have not been examined yet. The present randomized-controlled, placebo and single blinded cross sectional cross-over study investigated acute effects of forearm compression sleeves on lactate accumulation, heart rate response as well as local forearm muscle pain and exertion perception in 7 elite and junior climbers of the Swiss national and regional squad (age: 18 mean age 2 a, “Ape-index”: 2.7 range 3.1 cm, training sessions per week: 16 range 5 h; training experience: 7 range 2 a; climbing level lead: 8a – 8c+ French scale). We only found moderate to large condition effects and condition × time interactions (0.08<ɳp²<0.26) in favor of the verum forearm compression sleeves for lactate accumulation and perceived exertion level. The results of this pilot study indicate that the application of forearm sleeves could be a helpful tool to attenuate physiological response and perceived exertion level to a given climbing route comprising multiple strong to highly intense moves. Further studies in various and lager groups providing data on meaningful differences are required.