Effects of Intermittent Sequential Pneumatic Compression on Functional, Biochemical, and Perceptual Recovery Markers in Trained Cyclists: A Randomized Sham-Controlled Crossover Trial

PURPOSE: Intermittent Sequential Pneumatic Compression (ISPC) has gained popularity as a recovery modality among athletes, yet its effectiveness in high-performance cycling settings remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a 30-minute high-pressure ISPC intervention, in comparison with a sham condition, on the recovery of high-level road cyclists following a 30-minute all-out time trial on a stationary trainer. METHODS: Twenty-one male participants (age: 22.8 4.8 y) were included in this crossover trial, with their recovery protocol sequence randomly assigned. Measures of isometric knee extension, cycling performance (4-min time-trial), quadriceps low-frequency fatigue, creatine kinase, and subjective measures of fatigue, recovery, and muscle soreness were collected at baseline, 1-hour postintervention (post 1h), and at 24 and 48 hours. RESULTS: Benefits from the use of ISPC were identified in perceptions of recovery, muscle soreness, and fatigue, as well as in low-frequency fatigue scores and maximal voluntary contraction of knee extension (P < .05); however, these effects did not translate into improved performance in subsequent time trials at the 24th hour (4 min; P = .18). Additionally, no relevant increase in creatine kinase activity was identified following the fatigue protocol. CONCLUSION: While ISPC appears to enhance acute subjective and neuromuscular recovery markers following a strenuous time trial, it does not appear to confer a performance advantage in a short-duration cycling effort 24 hours later. However, its use may still be justifiable to accelerate perceptual and neuromuscular recovery in high-level cyclists.