Is There Evidence that Runners can Benefit from Wearing Compression Clothing?

Engel, Florian; Holmberg, Hans‐Christer; Sperlich, Billy

doi:10.1007/s40279-016-0546-5

Cited by 82 publications

(100 citation statements)

References 59 publications

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“…This finding is in agreement with previous research, with a recent review of 32 trials using CG during or after running reporting insignificant effects on recovery [37]. An earlier review of 23 peer-reviewed papers, 11 of which were studies on recovery from running, also found insignificant effects from CG [39].…”

Section: Compression Power Recovery and Runningsupporting

confidence: 91%

“…Despite the prevailing consensus shifting in favour of CG as a recovery aid [9,22,36], recent reviews highlight inconsistent and variable results [9,14,34,37]. For example, the recovery of strength has been frequently improved by CG at time-points over 24 h, with reported benefits over controls consistently ranging from between 5% and 10% [9,19,21,34,38].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For example, the recovery of strength has been frequently improved by CG at time-points over 24 h, with reported benefits over controls consistently ranging from between 5% and 10% [9,19,21,34,38]. Conversely, CG were associated with impaired recovery of acceleration (2.5%) compared with controls following a three day basketball tournament [6], while recent reviews suggest compression confers only trivial effects on recovery from running [37,39]. These discrepancies are likely due to the specific nature of post-exercise recovery demands arising from distinct exercise challenges and subsequent performance measures [12].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Compression Garments and Recovery from Exercise: A Meta-Analysis

et al. 2017

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Background: Adequate recovery from exercise is essential to maintain performance throughout training and competition. While compression garments (CG) have been demonstrated to accelerate recovery, the literature is clouded by conflicting results and uncertainty over the optimal conditions of use.Objectives: A meta-analysis was conducted to assess the effects of compression garments on the recovery of strength, power and endurance performance following an initial bout of resistance, running, or non-load bearing endurance (metabolic) exercise.Methods: Change-score data were extracted from 23 peer-reviewed studies on healthy participants. Recovery was quantified by converting into standardized mean effect sizes (ES [± 95% confidence interval ( Conclusion: The largest benefits resulting from CG were for strength recovery from 2-8 h, and > 24 h. Considering exercise modality, compression most effectively enhanced recovery from resistance exercise, particularly at timepoints > 24 h. The use of CG would also be recommended to enhance next-day cycling performance. The benefits of CG in relation to applied pressures and participant training status are unclear and limited by the paucity of reported data. Key Points• Small, significant and very likely benefits on exercise recovery can be achieved through use of compression garments (CG).• The greatest benefits from CG are evident in recovery of strength performance and from resistance exercise, which may imply that CG ameliorate muscle damage.• Next day cycling performance was also subject to large very likely benefits following the use of CG.

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Section: Compression Power Recovery and Runningsupporting

confidence: 91%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Compression Garments and Recovery from Exercise: A Meta-Analysis

et al. 2017

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“…Similar to the literature specific to post-exercise recovery, various outcomes have been reported, with no or small beneficial effects in physiological, psychological, or biomechanical parameters (Engel et al, 2016). Wearing compression garments during running exercise was associated with improvements in muscle oxygenation during intermittent high intensity running (Sear et al, 2010), leg volume (Bovenschen et al, 2013), muscle damage using magnetic resonance imaging and histochemical techniques (Valle et al, 2013), delayed onset of muscle soreness (DOMS, see Duffield and Portus, 2007), and heart rate (Varela-Sanz et al, 2011).…”

Section: Introductionsupporting

confidence: 55%

Calf Compression Sleeves Change Biomechanics but Not Performance and Physiological Responses in Trail Running

et al. 2017

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Introduction: The aim of this study was to determine whether calf compression sleeves (CS) affects physiological and biomechanical parameters, exercise performance, and perceived sensations of muscle fatigue, pain and soreness during prolonged (~2 h 30 min) outdoor trail running.Methods: Fourteen healthy trained males took part in a randomized, cross-over study consisting in two identical 24-km trail running sessions (each including one bout of running at constant rate on moderately flat terrain, and one period of all-out running on hilly terrain) wearing either degressive CS (23 ± 2 mmHg) or control sleeves (CON, <4 mmHg). Running time, heart rate and muscle oxygenation of the medial gastrocnemius muscle (measured using portable near-infrared spectroscopy) were monitored continuously. Muscle functional capabilities (power, stiffness) were determined using 20 s of maximal hopping before and after both sessions. Running biomechanics (kinematics, vertical and leg stiffness) were determined at 12 km·h−1 at the beginning, during, and at the end of both sessions. Exercise-induced Achilles tendon pain and delayed onset calf muscles soreness (DOMS) were assessed using visual analog scales.Results: Muscle oxygenation increased significantly in CS compared to CON at baseline and immediately after exercise (p < 0.05), without any difference in deoxygenation kinetics during the run, and without any significant change in run times. Wearing CS was associated with (i) higher aerial time and leg stiffness in running at constant rate, (ii) with lower ground contact time, higher leg stiffness, and higher vertical stiffness in all-out running, and (iii) with lower ground contact time in hopping. Significant DOMS were induced in both CS and CON (>6 on a 10-cm scale) with no difference between conditions. However, Achilles tendon pain was significantly lower after the trial in CS than CON (p < 0.05).Discussion: Calf compression did not modify muscle oxygenation during ~2 h 30 of trail running but significantly changed running biomechanics and lower limb muscle functional capabilities toward a more dynamic behavior compared to control session. However, wearing compression sleeves did not affect performance and exercise-induced DOMS, while it minimized Achilles tendon pain immediately after running.

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“…Evidence of the efficiency of compression garments in recovery is solid with recent meta-analysis, which confirms that compression alleviates symptoms associated with fatigue (6)(7)(8). Suggested mechanisms include enhanced venous return and blood flow in passive conditions (9,10) that may help eliminate metabolic waste (11,12), improve muscle oxygenation (13,14) and limit edema / inflammation (15,16) as well as delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) (6,7).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 88%