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
