Lower extremity compression garments use by athletes: why, how often, and perceived benefit

Abstract

Background Studies on the benefits of lower extremity compression garments (CGs) have focused on their effects on post-exercise recovery and performance improvement. Less is known about why athletes actually use CGs, the frequency with which they use them, and perceived benefits from using CGs. The purpose of this study was to investigate which athletes use CGs, why athletes use CGs, when CGs are worn by athletes, and, in case of an injury or injury prevention, for which injuries CGs are used. Methods This cross-sectional study involved 512 athletes who used lower extremity CGs. Athletes completed a questionnaire on the type of CGs they used, and when and why they used them. They also reported their sports participation, past and current sports injuries, and the perceived benefits of using CGs. Results 88.1% (n=451) of the athletes were endurance athletes and 11.9% (n=61) were non-endurance athletes. Endurance and non-endurance athletes reported running (84.7%, n=382) and obstacle course racing (24.6%, n=15) the most frequently as primary sports, respectively. The most-used CG was the compression sock (59.2%, n=303). In total, 47.5% (n=246) of the athletes used a CG primarily to prevent re-injury and 14.5% (n=74) to reduce symptoms of a current sports injury. Other primary reported aims were primary prevention (13.6%), post-exercise recovery (14.3%), sports performance improvement (8.8%), and to look good (0.2%). The point prevalence of past and current sports injuries among all athletes was 84.2 and 20.2%, respectively. The most common current sports injuries were shin and calf injuries. Many athletes “always” or “often” used their CGs during training (56.8%, n=279) and competitions (72.9%, n=264). Furthermore, almost 90% of the athletes that aimed to prevent re-injury by using CGs reported that CGs contributed to secondary injury prevention. Conclusion 88% of the CG-users were endurance athletes, of which 85% were runners. All athletes mainly used CGs to prevent injury recurrence, but also to reduce symptoms of a current sports injury. A majority of the athletes reported positive perceived effects from the CGs. CGs were used more during than after sports participation.

The Prevalence of Use of Various Post-Exercise Recovery Methods after Training among Elite Endurance Athletes

“…The low frequency of use of cold water immersion and compression garments in our study may be attributed to the low awareness of athletes and coaches about their possible effectiveness. Compression garments are widely used by endurance athletes in other countries [ 25 ]. In a meta-analysis by Machado et al, diving in cold water for 60 min after the end of the exercise was also confirmed as a means of reducing the severity of DOMS (when compared with passive recovery) and it was concluded that there is a dose–response relationship.…”

Recovery Strategies in Endurance Athletes

“…Previous research has demonstrated that endurance athletes commonly use lower extremity compression garments especially runners [ 30 ]. However, this was not the case in the current study.…”

“…However, this was not the case in the current study. Athletes who wear compression garments for recovery report perceived faster recovery and improvements in sports performance [ 30 ]. In the current study, athletes value compression garments more in competition than in practice.…”

“…This could be due to differences in physiological demands. Furthermore, the athletes in the current study may be utilizing the compressions garments to prevent injuries or reduce symptoms of an injury [ 30 ].…”

Intelligent research on wearing comfort of tight sportswear during exercise

“…Summarizing the existing research, we know that the research at home and abroad mainly focuses on the application research of tight sportswear, such as energy metabolism, muscle function, mechanical performance, drag reduction effect, injury protection and sports medicine, and they have made a certain foundation. [32][33][34] However, as the clothes that cling to human skin, the comfort of tight sportswear is also a key performance that cannot be ignored. Comfort evaluation of tight sportswear is mainly judged by human senses, and the process of analyzing comfort information is extremely complicated, 35 which is related to whether clothing and human body meet a series of requirements.…”