Researchers study on pilots and passengers found that wearing tight stockings on long-haul flights is the best way to relieve ankle swelling and to help ward off post-flight fatigue.
Researchers done a study on pilots and passengers and found that wearing tight stockings on long-haul flights is the best way to relieve ankle swelling and to help ward off post-flight fatigue.
To test the benefits, Australian researchers examined the effect of full-length nylon and spandex hosiery on the ankle swelling.The uncomfortable condition, called ankle oedema, is caused by a build-up of fluid.
Lower-leg socks are known to relieve the uncomfortable condition, called ankle oedema, caused by a build-up of fluid.
However, physiologist Stephen Lambert wanted to demonstrate whether the graduated compression tights used to help athletes recover from strenuous competition could also help air-travellers.
Researchers enlisted about 60 Qantas pilots and passengers to test the hosiery, wearing it on one leg of a trip and flying tights-free on the return leg.
"When subjects wore the [tights] they had a 60 per cent improvement in their leg pain rating at the end of the flight, a 50 per cent improvement in their leg discomfort rating and a 45 per cent improvement in their leg swelling rating," The smh.com.au quoted Dr Lambert, from Westmead Hospital, as saying.
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He said that the socks might be beneficial for flight attendants who need to remain alert and active.
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Source-ANI
JDP/V
