Abstract
Athletes specializing in different endurance sports at various levels of performance wear compression garments to improve their performance and facilitate recovery. The purpose of this chapter is outline the effects of compression garments on performance and recovery in endurance disciplines. A computerized research of the electronic databases PubMed, MEDLINE, SPORTDiscus, and Web of Science (performed in December 2015) and articles published in peer-reviewed journals were analyzed. Studies examining effects on performance, recovery, physiological, and/or psychological parameters during or after endurance sports comparing experimental (compression) and control (non-compression) trials were investigated. A total of 55 articles involving 788 participants were included. Compression garments exerted no significant improvements on performance in running (400 m–42.195 km), triathlon, ice speed skating, cross country skiing, and kayaking. Maximal and submaximal oxygen uptake, blood lactate concentrations, blood gas analysis, cardiac parameters, and body temperature were not altered in most of the considered studies during endurance exercise. Also in most studies, perceived exertion as well as perceived temperature were not affected by compression. Compression clothing significantly increased cycling performance, post exercise blood lactate elimination and reductions in blood lactate concentration during running, cycling, and cross country skiing. Three studies observed improved muscular oxygenation following and during endurance exercise. Furthermore, compression garments reduced post-exercise muscle soreness following running and cycling in eight studies. We conclude that compression clothing has no significant impact on performance parameters during running, ice speed skating, triathlon, cross country skiing and kayaking. The wearing of compression clothing might improve cycling performance, reduce post-exercise muscle pain following running and cycling, and facilitate lactate elimination during recovery.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Ali A, Caine MP, Snow BG (2007) Graduated compression stockings: physiological and perceptual responses during and after exercise. J Sports Sci 25:413–419
Ali A, Creasy RH, Edge JA (2010) Physiological effects of wearing graduated compression stockings during running. Eur J Appl Physiol 109:1017–1025
Ali A, Creasy RH, Edge JA (2011) The effect of graduated compression stockings on running performance. J Strength Cond Res 25:1385–1392
Areces F, Salinero JJ, Abian-Vicen J, González-Millán C, Ruiz-Vicente D, Lara B et al (2015) The use of compression stockings during a marathon competition to reduce exercise-induced muscle damage: are they really useful? J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 45(6):462–470
Argus CK, Driller MW, Ebert TR, Martin DT, Halson SL (2013) The effects of 4 different recovery strategies on repeat sprint-cycling performance. Int J Sports Physiol Perform 8(5):542–548
Armstrong SA, Till ES, Maloney SR, Harris GA (2015) Compression socks and functional recovery following marathon running: a randomized controlled trial. J Strength Cond Res 29(2):528–533
Barwood MJ, Corbett J, Feeney J, Hannaford P, Henderson D, Jones I et al (2013) Compression garments: no enhancement of high-intensity exercise in hot radiant conditions. Int J Sports Physiol Perform 8(5):527–535
Beliard S, Chauveau M, Moscatiello T, Cros F, Ecarnot F, Becker F (2015) Compression garments and exercise: no influence of pressure applied. J Sports Sci Med 14(1):75–83
Bernhardt T, Anderson GS (2005) Influence of moderate prophylactic compression on sport performance. J Strength Cond Res/Nat Strength Cond Assoc 19(2):292–297
Berry MJ, McMurray RG (1987) Effects of graduated compression stockings on blood lactate following an exhaustive bout of exercise. Am J Phys Med 66(3):121–132
Bieuzen F, Brisswalter J, Easthope C, Vercruyssen F, Bernard T, Hausswirth C (2014) Effect of wearing compression stockings on recovery after mild exercise-induced muscle damage. Int J Sports Physiol Perform 9(2):256–264
Birmingham TB, Kramer JF, Inglis JT, Mooney CA, Murray LJ, Fowler PJ et al (1998) Effect of a neoprene sleeve on knee joint position sense during sitting open kinetic chain and supine closed kinetic chain tests. Am J Sports Med 26(4):562–566
Bochmann RP, Seibel W, Haase E, Hietschold V, Rödel H, Deussen A (2005) External compression increases forearm perfusion. J Appl Physiol 99(6):2337–2344
Born D, Sperlich B, Holmberg H (2013) Bringing light into the dark: effects of compression clothing on performance and recovery. Int J Sports Physiol Perform 8(1):4–18
Born D, Zinner C, Herlitz B, Richter K, Holmberg H, Sperlich B (2014) Muscle oxygenation asymmetry in ice speed skaters: not compensated by compression. Int J Sports Physiol Perform 9(1):58–67
Boucourt B, Bouhaddi M, Mourot L, Tordi N, Ménétrier A (2014) Changes in tissue oxygen saturation with calf compression sleeves—before, during and after a cycling exercise. J Sports Med Phys Fitness
Bovenschen HJ, Booij MT, van der Vleuten, Carine JM (2013) Graduated compression stockings for runners: friend, foe, or fake? J Athletic Training 48(2):226–232
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 27:373–378
Burden RJ, Glaister M (2012) The effects of ionized and nonionized compression garments on sprint and endurance cycling. J Strength Cond Res 26(10):2837–2843
Cabri J, Caldonazzi S, Clijsen R (2010) Effect of compression stockings on physical endurance during a submaximal treadmill test. Sportverletz Sportsc 24:179–183
Chatard JC, Atlaoui D, Farjanel J, Louisy F, Rastel D, Guézennec CY (2004) Elastic stockings, performance and leg pain recovery in 63-year-old sportsmen. Eur J Appl Physiol 93(3):347–352
Cipriani DJ, Yu TS, Lyssanova O (2014) Perceived influence of a compression, posture-cueing shirt on cyclists’ ride experience and post-ride recovery. J Chiropractic Med 13(1):21–27
Coyle EF, Coggan AR, Hopper MK, Walters TJ (1988) Determinants of endurance in well-trained cyclists. J Appl Physiol 64(6):2622–2630
Dascombe BJ, Hoare TK, Sear JA, Reaburn PR, Scanlan AT (2011) The effects of wearing undersized lower-body compression garments on endurance running performance. Int J Sports Physiol Perform 6:160–173
Dascombe B, Laursen P, Nosaka K, Polglaze T (2013) No effect of upper body compression garments in elite flat-water kayakers. Eur J Sport Sci 13(4):341–349
Davies V, Thompson KG, Cooper S (2009) The effects of compression garments on recovery. J Strength Cond Res 23(6):1786–1794
de Glanville KM, Hamlin MJ (2012) Positive effect of lower body compression garments on subsequent 40-km cycling time trial performance. J Strength Cond Res 26(2):480–486
de Pauw K, de Geus B, Roelands B, Lauwens F, Verschueren J, Heyman E et al (2011) Effect of five different recovery methods on repeated cycle performance. Med Sci Sports Exerc 43(5):890–897
Del Coso J, Areces F, Salinero JJ, González-Millán C, Abián-Vicén J, Soriano L et al (2014) Compression stockings do not improve muscular performance during a half-ironman triathlon race. Eur J Appl Physiol 114(3):587–595
Doan BK, Kwon Y, Newton RU, Shim J, Popper EM, Rogers RA et al (2003) Evaluation of a lower-body compression garment. J Sports Sci 21(8):601–610
Driller MW, Halson SL (2013) The effects of wearing lower body compression garments during a cycling performance test. Int J Sports Physiol Perform 8(3):300–306
Ferguson RA, Dodd MJ, Paley VR (2014) Neuromuscular electrical stimulation via the peroneal nerve is superior to graduated compression socks in reducing perceived muscle soreness following intense intermittent endurance exercise. Eur J Appl Physiol 114(10):2223–2232
Friesenbichler B, Stirling LM, Federolf P, Nigg BM (2011) Tissue vibration in prolonged running. J Biomech 44(1):116–120
Goh SS, Laursen PB, Dascombe B, Nosaka K (2010) Effect of lower body compression garments on submaximal and maximal running performance in cold (10 degrees C) and hot (32 degrees C) environments. Eur J Appl Physiol 111:819–826
Hill J, Howatson G, van Someren K, Leeder J, Pedlar C (2014a) Compression garments and recovery from exercise-induced muscle damage: a meta-analysis. Br J Sports Med 48(18):1340–1346
Hill JA, Howatson G, van Someren, Ken A, Walshe I, Pedlar CR (2014b) Influence of compression garments on recovery after marathon running. J Strength Cond Res 28(8):2228–2235
Hirai M, Iwata H, Hayakawa N (2002) Effect of elastic compression stockings in patients with varicose veins and healthy controls measured by strain gauge plethysmography. Skin Res Technol 8(4):236–239
Ibegbuna V, Delis KT, Nicolaides AN, Aina O (2003) Effect of elastic compression stockings on venous hemodynamics during walking. J Vasc Surg 37(2):420–425
Kemmler W, von Stengel S, Kockritz C, Mayhew J, Wassermann A, Zapf J (2009) Effect of compression stockings on running performance in men runners. J Strength Cond Res 23:101–105
Kraemer WJ, Bush JA, Newton RU et al (1998) Influence of a compression garment on repetitive power output production before and after different types of muscle fatigue. Sports Med (Auckland, N.Z.) 8(2):163–184
Kraemer WJ, Bush JA, Wickham RB et al (2001) Continuous compression as an effective therapeutic intervention in treating eccentric-exercise-induced muscle soreness. J Sport Rehabil 10:11–23
Kraemer WJ, French DN, Spiering BA (2004) Compression in the treatment of acute muscle injuries in sport. Int Sport Med J (5):200–2008
Lawrence D, Kakkar VV (1980) Graduated, static, external compression of the lower limb: a physiological assessment. Br J Surg 67(2):119–121
Leoz-Abaurrea I, Tam N, Aguado-Jiménez R (2015) Impaired cardiorespiratory responses when wearing an upper body compression garment during recovery in a hot environment (40 °C). J Sports Med Phys Fitness
Lovell DI, Mason DG, Delphinus EM, McLellan CP (2011) Do compression garments enhance the active recovery process after high-intensity running? J Strength Cond Res 25(12):3264–3268
MacRae BA, Laing RM, Niven BE, Cotter JD (2012) Pressure and coverage effects of sporting compression garments on cardiovascular function, thermoregulatory function, and exercise performance. Eur J Appl Physiol 112(5):1783–1795
Ménétrier A, Mourot L, Bouhaddi M, Regnard J, Tordi N (2011) Compression sleeves increase tissue oxygen saturation but not running performance. Int J Sports Med 32(11):864–868
Ménétrier A, Pinot J, Mourot L, Grappe F, Bouhaddi M, Regnard J et al (2013) Effects of recovery using contrast water therapy or compression stockings on subsequent 5-min cycling performance. J Sci Cycl 2(2):49–56
Ménétrier A, Mourot L, Degano B, Bouhaddi M, Walther G, Regnard J et al (2015) Effects of three post-exercice recovery treatments on femoral artery blood flow kinetics. J Sports Med Phys Fitness 55(4):258–266
Miyamoto N, Kawakami Y (2014) Effect of pressure intensity of compression short-tight on fatigue of thigh muscles. Med Sci Sports Exerc 46(11):2168–2174
Miyamoto N, Kawakami Y (2015) No graduated pressure profile in compression stockings still reduces muscle fatigue. Int J Sports Med 36:220–225
Nybo L, Rasmussen P, Sawka MN (2014) Performance in the heat-physiological factors of importance for hyperthermia-induced fatigue. Compr Physiol 4(2):657–689
Partsch H, Mosti G (2008) Thigh compression. Phlebology 23(6):252–258
Perlau R, Frank C, Fick G (1995) The effect of elastic bandages on human knee proprioception in the uninjured population. Am J Sports Med 23(2):251–255
Priego JI, Lucas-Cuevas AG, Aparicio I, Giménez JV, Cortell-Tormo JM, Pérez-Soriano P (2015) Long-term effects of graduated compression stockings on cardiorespiratory performance. Biol Sport 32(3):219–223
Priego Quesada JI, Lucas-Cuevas AG, Gil-Calvo M, Giménez JV, Aparicio I, Ortiz Cibrián, de Anda RM et al (2015) Effects of graduated compression stockings on skin temperature after running. J Therm Biol 52:130–136
Rider BC, Coughlin AM, Hew-Butler TD, Goslin BR (2014) Effect of compression stockings on physiological responses and running performance in division III collegiate cross-country runners during a maximal treadmill test. J Strength Cond Res 28(6):1732–1738
Rimaud D, Messonnier L, Castells J, Devillard X, Calmels P (2010) Effects of compression stockings during exercise and recovery on blood lactate kinetics. Eur J Appl Physiol 110(2):425–433
Rugg S, Sternlicht E (2013) The effect of graduated compression tights, compared with running shorts, on counter movement jump performance before and after submaximal running. J Strength Cond Res 27(4):1067–1073
Scanlan AT, Dascombe BJ, Reaburn, Peter RJ, Osborne M (2008) The effects of wearing lower-body compression garments during endurance cycling. Int J Sports Physiol Perform 3(4):424–438
Sear JA, Hoare TK, Scanlan AT, Abt GA, Dascombe BJ (2010) The effects of whole-body compression garments on prolonged high-intensity intermittent exercise. J Strength Cond Res 24(7):1901–1910
Sperlich B, Haegele M, Achtzehn S, Linville J, Holmberg HC, Mester J (2010) Different types of compression clothing do not increase sub-maximal and maximal endurance performance in well-trained athletes. J Sports Sci 28:609–614
Sperlich B, Hagele M, Kruger M et al (2011) Cardio-respiratory and metabolic responses to different levels of compression during submaximal running. Phlebology 26:102–106
Sperlich B, Born D, Kaskinoro K, Kalliokoski KK, Laaksonen MS (2013) Squeezing the muscle: compression clothing and muscle metabolism during recovery from high intensity exercise. PLoS ONE 8(4):e60923
Sperlich B, Born D, Zinner C, Hauser A, Holmberg H (2014) Does upper-body compression improve 3 × 3-min double-poling sprint performance? Int J Sports Physiol Perform 9(1):48–57
Stickford AS, Chapman RF, Johnston JD et al (2015) Lower-leg compression, running mechanics, and economy in trained distance runners. Int J Sports Physiol Perform 10:76–83
Støren Ø, Ulevåg K, Larsen MH, Støa EM, Helgerud J (2013) Physiological determinants of the cycling time trial. J Strength Cond Res 27(9):2366–2373
Trenell MI, Rooney KB, Sue CM, Thompson CH (2006) Compression garments and recovery from eccentric exercise: A 31P-MRS study. J Sports Sci Med 5:106–114
Valle X, Til L, Drobnic F, Turmo A, Montoro JB, Valero O et al (2013) Compression garments to prevent delayed onset muscle soreness in soccer players. Muscles, Ligaments Tendons J 3(4):295–302
Varela-Sanz A, España J, Carr N, Boullosa DA, Esteve-Lanao J (2011) Effects of gradual-elastic compression stockings on running economy, kinematics, and performance in runners. J Strength Cond Res 25(10):2902–2910
Venckūnas T, Trinkūnas E, Kamandulis S, Poderys J, Grūnovas A, Brazaitis M (2014) Effect of lower body compression garments on hemodynamics in response to running session. Sci World J 2014:353040
Vercruyssen F, Easthope C, Bernard T, Hausswirth C, Bieuzen F, Gruet M et al (2014) The influence of wearing compression stockings on performance indicators and physiological responses following a prolonged trail running exercise. Eur J Sport Sci 14(2):144–150
Wahl P, Bloch W, Mester J, Born D, Sperlich B (2012) Effects of different levels of compression during sub-maximal and high-intensity exercise on erythrocyte deformability. Eur J Appl Physiol 112(6):2163–2169
Williams KR, Cavanagh PR (1987) Relationship between distance running mechanics, running economy, and performance. J Appl Physiol 63(3):1236–1245
Zaleski AL, Ballard KD, Pescatello LS, Panza GA, Kupchak BR, Dada MR et al (2015) The effect of compression socks worn during a marathon on hemostatic balance. Phys Sports Med 43(4):336–341
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2016 Springer International Publishing Switzerland
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Engel, F., Stockinger, C., Woll, A., Sperlich, B. (2016). Effects of Compression Garments on Performance and Recovery in Endurance Athletes. In: Engel, F., Sperlich, B. (eds) Compression Garments in Sports: Athletic Performance and Recovery. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-39480-0_2
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-39480-0_2
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-319-39479-4
Online ISBN: 978-3-319-39480-0
eBook Packages: Biomedical and Life SciencesBiomedical and Life Sciences (R0)