Efficacy of Sport Stockings can be Improved

Results: It is demonstrated that higher compression pressure over the calf without increasing the pressure during muscle relaxation is essential to increase the ejection fraction of the calf pump. This may be achieved by applying stiff Velcro-bands or patches around the calf which do not give way when the muscles contract. . A pressure gradient from distal to proximal may be neglected and even foot-sparing compression devices can be considered. The resulting fluctuations of compression pressure during movement exert a massaging effect squeezing out venous blood from the calf much more efficiently compared to the effect of elastic, yielding stocking material.