Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 30, 2026
Fabrication of Compressed Hosiery and Measurement of its Pressure Characteristic Exerted on the Lower Limbs
Published on: May 27, 2020
Effect of multilayer high-compression bandaging on ankle range of motion and oxygen cost of walking
K S Roaldsen1, B Elfving, J K Stanghelle
1Karolinska Institutet, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Division of Physiotherapy, 23100, SE-14183 Huddinge, Sweden. kirsti.skavberg.roaldsen@ki.se
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.
