Two studies demonstrating CEP benefit! 

More – Blood Circulation With cep® Compression Sportsocks 

Consistent pressure from the outside, an effect that can be attained by wearing tightly fitted sports clothing, causes an increased blood circulation in the extremities, e.g. arms and legs.

We have conducted a comprehensive study on blood circulation in the forearm and our results confirmed that the optimal increase in blood flow is reached through consistent compression pressure*.

Both the blood circulation at rest as well as the maximal blood circulation (peak flow after a five-minute arterial congestion = maximal blood circulation under physical strain) experience a signficant increase.

The blood circulation of the lower leg can also be increased by wearing compression sportsocks. In a pilot run with the cep® compression sportsocks that exert an almost consistent compression pressure onto the entire lower leg we discovered an increase in blood circulation at rest by an approximate 30% and an increase in peak flow of approximately 40%. The decisive feature of the cep® compression sportsocks that produce such a considerable increase in blood flow is the consistent pressure. This concept of compression, which affects the arterial vessels, has been designed and developed by us and is protected by a patent**.

This is the main feature of the cep® compression sportsocks which distinguishes them from the traditional compression socks that are supposed to improve the venous return of blood back to the heart. A considerable difference exists to so-called compression socks which are already sold on the sporting goods market and to some extent differ considerably from cep® compression sportsocks with regard to the flow of pressure.

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Effect of compressive running socks on the physiological performance parameters in ambitious amateur runners

Kemmler, W.; von Stengel, S.; Köckritz, C.; Kalender, W.

Institute for Medical Physics, Friedrich-Alexander University, Erlangen-Nürnberg

Introduction

The positive effect of compressive running socks upon the peripheral blood circulation and the venous backpressure of the muscles is sufficiently known. To what degree this improved blood circulation is concurrent with a performance improvement in endurance sports has not yet been investigated. For this reason this study pursued the question of the effect of compressive cep® running socks (CEP, Himmelkron, Germany) on the physical (time under load, work) and physiological parameters in "ambitious amateur runners".

Methodology

A total of 21 "amateur runners" with a training frequency of 2-5 training units per week were included. The athletes completed a test with "cep® running socks" and a test with their usual socks in a randomly arranged sequence with the gap between the tests being > 48 h. Table 1 illustrates the start conditions for our athletes.

Lactate performance diagnosis:

Blood sampling at the finger tip. Calculation of the blood lactate level using Lactat-Scout. Threshold determination according to Dickhuth (min. + 0.5 mmol; min. +1.5 mmol).

Calculation of physical values

Work: Performance x time. Performance per stage (via automatic output of the spirometric program) was summed up for the stages.

Results

The time under load (= running time) in the staged test was approx 5% higher with compressive cep® running socks, the work achieved as the net criterion of the performance approx. 6% higher than without compressive running socks (cep®). The velocities at the "aerobic" (min. + 0.5 mmol) and aerobic/anaerobic (min. + 1.5 mmol lactate) threshold were also significantly higher (0.20 – 0.25 km/h in each case). The results of the study indicated that the maximal consumption of oxygen (VO2max) tends to increase by 3%. In summary a higher velocity could be implemented with compressive running socks on the maximum and sub-maximum metabolic load levels, definitively confirming the question about a "performance improvement".