Compression Suits and Muscle Soreness

A study published in the Journal of Sports Science and Medicine looked at the effect of the highly publicised (and very expensive) compressions garments on the extent of Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS). Many high level athletes are wearing these garments and many recreational athletes are jumping on the bandwagon – but do they actually do anything?

The study looked at 11 recreational athletes performing treadmill exercise of differing levels of stress with measurements taken of extent of soreness and various metabolic changes. A compression garment was worn on one limb only and the two sides were compared at the end of the study. They found that whilst the limb that had the compression garment suffered less disruption at the cellular level – there was no difference in the extent of muscle soreness between the limbs.

Given the reduce cellular disruption the the compression suit should provide a benefit, particularly from a recovery point of view, this does not necessarily translate into practice as to what was felt by the athlete.