Energy cost of wearing Titin compression gear during exercise

Abstract

The purpose this study was to determine the effects of wearing an 8 pound Titin \Veighted compressio11 shirt on heart rate (HR), oxygen consumption (V02), and caloric expenditure (kcal) during exercise. Eight male and eight female, apparently healthy, college-aged students participated in two testing session. Dtuing the first session subjects wore either the Titin weighted compression shirt or a compression shirt without weights. The second da)' subjects co1npleted tl1e session using the opposite condition. Four different exercise activities were completed during each session. Subjects performed each activity for 5 minutes. TI1e four activities included walking 3.5 miles per hour (mph) at 0% grade, walking 3.5 mph at 10% grade, running at a self-selected pace, and stepping up and down on a 12 inch bench at a rate of24 steps per minutes. During testing I-IR, V02, and kcals were measured. Significant increases (p<0.05) were found in V02 and caloric expenditure for the weighted compared to the un-weighted condition across all four of the exercises. There was a significantly higher HR during level walking, but no significant difference in HR response was found for graded walking, running, or stepping. When the four exercises were combined, the average increase in V02 and caloric expenditure was 7o/o. This value is identical to claims made by the manufacturer. It is concluded that using a Titin weighted compression shirt could increase the intensity of a work out and positively affect body composition.