Effects of Compression Garments on Performance and Recovery in Endurance Athletes

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.