Compression Stockings and Aerobic Exercise: A Meta-Analysis

Abstract

The aim of this study was to conduct a meta-analysis to determine if wearing compression clothing affects athletic performance by increasing endurance and aerobic capacity as measured by improvements in both VO 2 max and heart rate. Studies were found by using the search engines Google and Galileo, and by using search terms such as "compression garments and their effect on performance." Only studies that examined compression clothing and its effect on endurance and aerobic capacity were used. Of the four studies, only one study concluded that compression clothing does improve performance (P<0.05), whereas the other three found that compression clothing were highly effective with reducing delayed onset muscle soreness (P=0.05) and/or leg edema when wearing compression stockings (effect sizes = 0.00-0.65). All studies were performed on recreational to well-trained athletes. In conclusion, compression clothing may be more physiological than physical for improving endurance.