Influence of compression garments on recovery after marathon running

J Strength Cond Res. 2014 Aug;28(8):2228-35. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000000469.

Abstract

Strenuous physical activity can result in exercise-induced muscle damage. The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy of a lower limb compression garment in accelerating recovery from a marathon run. Twenty four subjects (female, n = 7; male, n = 17) completed a marathon run before being assigned to a treatment group or a sham treatment group. The treatment group wore lower limb compression tights for 72 hours after the marathon run, the sham treatment group received a single treatment of 15 minutes of sham ultrasound after the marathon run. Perceived muscle soreness, maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC), and serum markers of creatine kinase (CK) and C-reactive protein (C-RP) were assessed before, immediately after, and 24, 48, and 72 hours after the marathon run. Perceived muscle soreness was significantly lower (p ≤ 0.05) in the compression group at 24 hours after marathon when compared with the sham group. There were no significant group effects for MVIC, CK, and C-RP (p > 0.05). The use of a lower limb compression garment improved subjective perceptions of recovery; however, there was neither a significant improvement in muscular strength nor a significant attenuation in markers of exercise-induced muscle damage and inflammation.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • C-Reactive Protein / metabolism
  • Clothing*
  • Creatine Kinase / blood
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Isometric Contraction
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Muscle Strength
  • Muscle, Skeletal / pathology
  • Muscle, Skeletal / physiopathology*
  • Myalgia / blood
  • Myalgia / etiology
  • Myalgia / physiopathology
  • Perception
  • Pressure*
  • Recovery of Function*
  • Running / physiology*

Substances

  • C-Reactive Protein
  • Creatine Kinase