History

Compression started being used in human medicine around 400 BC; about half a century ago doctors started using another form of compression, graduated compression stockings.

These stockings are used routinely through-out hospitals all around the world for post-operative surgeries & by air travellers trying to avoid DVT's (Deep Vein Thrombosis).

It is well documented in medical journals throughout the world (e.g.Journal of Sports Science and Medicine)

That Graduated Compression Garments improve venous return/circulation (blood flow) and improve recovery time from injuries.

Sports scientists have found also it to be of great benefit for athletes to wear graduated compression garments during activity and in particular during time after activity e.g. the increase of oxygen availability to muscles and significantly reduced lactic acid production in the system. It’s found that sports men and women, who wear Gradient Compression Garments during recovery and activity, perform better and stay at their peak longer.

Wearing Gradient Compression Garments during non-activity and immediately after exercise, enhances recovery time from injury, reduces DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness) and swelling associated with exercise and assists the body in flushing out waste products e.g. Lactic acids & Carbon dioxide from vital blood supplies.

The Worlds’ top athletes now use Gradient Compression Garments as a major part of their daily routine in their endeavourers to compete at their optimum levels and to stay ahead of their opposition.

Currently, there are no products that provide gradient compression to horses. Our Hidez Animal Compression Suit is unique, a patented and Registered Designed Product a world first and has been shown to provide a wide range of benefits .

Veterinarians and animal Surgeons around the world will understand these benefits

Human athletes found that wearing gradient compression garments after exercise prevented a painful and limiting phenomenon called delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). DOMS occurs 24-72 hours after intense exercise, impacting upon subsequent performances. This is similar to a phenomenon in horses called recurrent exceptional Rhabdomyolysis – colloquially called “tying-up”, Horses have the disadvantage that they cannot directly inform their owners of the level of their distress.

References:

1.Berry,MJ. McMurray,R.G. Effects of graduated compression stockings on blood lactate following an exhaustive bout of exercise. American Journal of Physical Medicine, 66:121-132, 1987

2.Cheung, K. Hume, P. Maxwell, L. Delayed onset muscle sorness: treatment strategies and performance factors.Sports Medicine, 33:145-164, 2003

3.Gill,N.D. Beaven, C.M. and Cook,C. Effectiveness of post-match recovery strategies in rugby playersBritish Journal of Sports Medicine, 40:260-263, 2006

4.Kraemer,W.J. Bush, J.A. Newton, R.U. Duncan, N.D. Volek, J.S. Denegar, C.R. Canavan, P Johnston, J. Putukian, M. Sebastianelli, W.J. Influence of a compression garment on repetitive power output production before and after different types of muscle fatigue. Sports medicine, training and rehabilitation 8:163-184, 1998.

5. Chatard, J.C. Atlaoui, D. Farjanel, J. Louisy, F. Rastel, D. Guezennec, C.Y. Elastic stockings, performance and leg pain recovery in 63 year-old sportsmen. European Journal of Applied Physiology, 93:347-352, 2004.

6. Kraemer, W.J. Bush, J.A.Triplett-McBride, N.T. Koziris, L.P. Mangino, L.C. Fry, A.C. McBride, J.M. Johnston, J. Volek, J.S. Young, C.A. Gomez, A.L. Newton, R.U. Compression garments: influence on muscle fatigue. Journal of strength and conditioning research 12:211-215, 1998.

7. Lambert, S.A crossover trial on the effects of graded compression garments exercise and recovery. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport. 8:S222, 2005.

8. Trenell, M.I. Rooney, K.B. Sue, C.M. and Thompson, C.H. Compression garments and recovery from eccentric exercise: A 31P-MRS study. Journal of sports science and medicine, 2006 5:106-114.