Compression socks have become a hot item among triathletes since their appearance at the Kona Ironman triathlon several years ago. Despite a short ban on by the WTC because of concerns that they covered the body marked recent numbers on the calf (see which was later quickly rescinded) compression socks and compression gear are becoming more common.
So we decided to take a quick look at some of the literature behind the perceived benefits of compression socks and stockings in regards to athletics. The majority of the published medical research on compression stockings looks at benefits in hospitalized patients in regards to prevention of blood clots or deep vein thrombosis, especially after surgery. Prevention of blood clots after surgery is a major concern and one of the most serious complications that can occur.
The published research regarding compression stockings and compressionwear athletic performance is mixed. Some studies such as a recent article published in the Journal Sport Science Did not show any difference in endurance performance in well trained athletes using either compression stockings or full body compression clothing.
An earlier study published in 2007 in the presternal sports medicine also did not see a performance benefit of full body compression clothing. However the researchers did see a notable benefit in a decrease in perceived muscle soreness in ahtleteswearing full-body compression clothing.
Another study published in 2010 from the school sport and health science at the University of Exeter (England) did find that the full leg compression stockings did help with recovery in women underwent plyometric jumping drills when compared to traditional passive recovery methods.
So most of the benefits seem to be a result of improved recovery rather than performance enhancement during competition.
Related posts:
Trackbacks/Pingbacks
[...] Recover rather than Performance [...]