Effect of multilayer high-compression bandaging on ankle range of motion and oxygen cost of walking.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effects of multilayer high-compression bandaging on ankle range of motion, oxygen consumption and subjective walking ability in healthy subjects.

METHOD

A volunteer sample of 22 healthy subjects (10 women and 12 men; aged 67 [63-83] years) were studied. The intervention included treadmill-walking at self-selected speed with and without multilayer high-compression bandaging (Proforeº), randomly selected. The primary outcome variables were ankle range of motion, oxygen consumption and subjective walking ability.

RESULTS

Total ankle range of motion decreased 4% with compression. No change in oxygen cost of walking was observed. Less than half the subjects reported that walking-shoe comfort or walking distance was negatively affected.

CONCLUSION

Ankle range of motion decreased with compression but could probably be counteracted with a regular exercise programme. There were no indications that walking with compression was more exhausting than walking without. Appropriate walking shoes could seem important to secure gait efficiency when using compression garments.