Compression Garments: The Verdict
While most of the data indicate that the use of compression garments does not provide an advantage, there are a handful that do show possible benefits. It is important, however, to tease out the possible causes and evaluate the efficacy of the items.
For instance, Bringard, Perrey and Reaburn (2006) found that running economy may be improved with the use of compression stocking during exercise. However, this study was done with athletes running at 80% of VO2max with no performance measurements. Additionally, the cause for the change in economy could not be attributed to a specific mechanism.
Another example are the decreased levels of creatine kinase that have been reported with the use of compression garments (Dufield and Portas 2007). What exactly does this mean? Basically, creatine kinase is an enzyme only found inside cells. When a muscle becomes damaged, some of the contents are released in to the blood. As a result, levels of enzymes normally found in the cells increases in the circulation. Creatine kinase measurements are often used to help diagnose a heart attack. When the heart muscle is damaged, the levels of the enzyme specific to cardiac muscle spike. The same principal applies to muscle damaged with exercise. In the cited study, the cricket players wore the garments during and after exercise. As a result, it cannot be distinguished if the decreased creatine kinase levels is a result of improved blood flow, and therefore clearance of the enzyme, or a decrease in muscle damage through some other mechanism, preventing a possible increase from even occurring. Additionally, the difference in enzyme levels is not consistently seen when compression garments are implemented (Jakeman, Byrne, & Eston 2010; Duffield et al, 2008; Duffield, Cannon, & King, 2010). This, coupled with the fact that no differences in lactic acid and muscle pH at various time periods after exercise (Duffield et al., 2008) indicate that the use of compression stockings does not alter circulation to provide a recovery benefit.
Another more commonly reported benefit of wearing compression garments is a decreased perceived muscle soreness (Dufield & Portas 2007; Jakeman, Byrne, & Eston 2010; Pruscino, Halson, & Hargreaves 2013; Ali, Cane & Snow 2008). This has several implications. First, the mechanism by which delayed onset muscle soreness occurs can cause a decrease in muscle force generation for up to two weeks. This can have effects on future performance if events are scheduled close together as well as the ability to perform workouts if maximal efforts are required. Jakemen, Byrne, and Eston (2010) added evidence to this recovery benefit with data showing that exercise performance benefited with compression garments worn in recovery. It must be noted, however, the study participants were active, exercising three times a week, but not well trained athletes. This leads to questioning if the gain was seen due to the training status, especially when coupled with the other cited studies that found decreased muscle soreness as the only benefit. Additionally, Dufield, Cannon, and King (2010) found that there were no differences in muscle twitch properties when the garments are worn for recovery, essentially showing that while the individual feels less sore, there is actually no change in performance . With this however, these still is a benefit if perceived soreness is decreased. Psychologically, an athlete may be better off. For instance, a stage racer may be more aggressive or have better planning in pre-race preparation if they are less sore. Additionally, the motivation to complete hard workouts can lack at times, especially with fatigue. Increased muscle soreness may affect adherence to an athlete’s training plan. While, this benefit is not physiological or directly related to performance, it is still a benefit.
The extent to which these garments have been evaluated is well beyond the scope of these articles. Additional studies showing possible benefits have been published along with data further discounting the efficacy of compression garments in endurance athletes. Understanding the physiological mechanism of action as well as the population the compression stockings were originally applied to can assist a person in understanding why the use of the garments likely does not provide a benefit to healthy athletes.
Ali, A., Caine, M., & Snow, B. (2007). Graduated compression stockings: Physiological and perceptual responses during and after exercise. Journal of Sports Sciences, 25(4): 413 – 419
Bringard, A., Perrey, S., & Belluye, N. (2006). Aerobic energy cost and sensation responses during submaximal running exercise –positive effects of wearing compression tights. Int J Sports Med 2006; 27: 373–378
Duffield, R., Cannon, J., King, M. (2010). The effects of compression garments on recovery of muscle performance following high-intensity sprint and plyometric exercise. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport 13 (2010) 136–140
Duffield, R., Edge, J., Merrells, R., Hawke, E., Barnes, M., Simcock, D., & Gill, N. (2008). The Effects of Compression Garments on Intermittent Exercise Performance and Recovery on Consecutive Days. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 2008, 3, 454-468
Duffield, R., Portlus, M. (2007). Comparison of three types of full-body compression garmentson throwing and repeat-sprint performance in cricket players. Br J Sports Med 2007;41:409–414. doi: 10.1136/bjsm.2006.033753
Jakeman, J., Byrne, C., & Eston, R. (2010). Lower limb compression garment improves recovery from exercise-induced muscle damage in young, active females. European Journal of Applied Physiology, 109, Issue 6, pp 1137-1144
Montgomery, P., Pyne, D., Hopkins, W., Dorman, J., Cook, K., & Minahan, C. (2008). The effect of recovery strategies on physical performance and cumulative fatigue in competitive basketball. Journal of Sports Sciences, September 2008; 26(11): 1135–1145
Pruscino, C., Halson, S., & Hargreaves, M. (2013). Effects of compression garments on recovery following intermittent exercise. Eur J Appl Physiol (2013) 113:1585–1596 DOI 10.1007/s00421-012-2576-5
Scanlan, A., Dascombe, B., Reaburn, P., & Osborne, M. (2008). The Effects of Wearing Lower-Body Compression Garments During Endurance Cycling. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance,2008, 3, 424-438
Sperlich, B., Haegele, M., Achtzehn, S., Linville, J., Holmberg, H., & Mester, J. (2010). Different types of compression clothing do not increase sub-maximal and maximal endurance performance in well-trained athletes. Journal of Sports Sciences, 28, Issue 6, 2010