It’s been a couple of years since I last checked the research for the latest on compression clothing. When I first wrote about this topic back in October, 2007 there really wasn’t much available. By the time I followed up on it in March, 2009 there still wasn’t a great deal to report. But in the last two years there have been several studies added to the literature. I list and summarize each of them below including those that were reviewed in my 2009 post.
What is expected of compression clothing such as stockings, calf sleeves, thigh sleeves, briefs, tights and full-body suits? Why do athletes wear them? They are quite common now in triathlons and running races. Two primary reasons appear to have evolved. The first is that they may improve performance. The second is that they may speed recovery after difficult workouts and races.
When I ask athletes who wear them why, they seem to be certain there is a benefit in one or both of these areas. The problem with asking users is that they have invested money, time, reputation and self-perception in the product. They are unlikely to suggest that it doesn’t work. They may even be able to provide data to back up their use of the product. The placebo effect can be a powerful influencer of outcomes, especially when the changes are small. Nor can we trust the testimonials of elite athletes who are given the product or even paid to use it. Even non-elite athletes who are given a pair of $30 socks feel a need to “repay” the sponsor with glowing comments. That leaves us with science—and our own opinions. We’ll start with the science.
The following are summaries of the pertinent studies I could find with searches at PubMed.
Does Compression Clothing Improve Performance?
1. Ali, A., R.H. Creasy, J.A. Edge. 2011. The effect of graduated compression stockings on running performance. J Strength Cod Res Feb 2 (Epub ahead of print).
Summary: Nine male and three female competitive runners (VO2 max 68.7 +/-5.8 mLO2/kg/min) ran four 10km time trials on a track over a period of several days. They wore either standard stockings (CON), 12-15 mmHg compression stockings (LOW), 18-21 mmHg compression stockings (MED), or 23-32 mmHg compression stockings (HIGH). (The higher the mmHg number the greater the pressure placed on the tissues—lower legs and ankles, in this case.) There was no significant difference in 10km times, heart rate or blood lactate levels regardless of the type of stocking worn.
2. Ali, A., R.H. Creasy, J.A. Edge. 2010. Physiological effects of wearing graduated compression stockings during running. Eur J Appl Physiol 109(6):1017-25.
Summary: Nine male and one female competitive runners ran 3 x 40-minute treadmill runs at 80% of their VO2 max. They wore either 0 mmHg stockings (CON), 12-15 mmHg compression stockings (LOW) or 23-32 mmHg compression stockings (HIGH). There were no significant differences in oxygen uptake, heart rate or blood lactate during the runs. There were no benefits post-exercise.
3. Chatard, J.C., D. Atlaoui, J. Farjanel, F. Louisy, D. Rastel, C.Y. Guezennec. 2004. Elastic stockings, performance and leg pain recovery in 63-year-old sportsmen. Eur J Appl Physiol 93(3):347-52.
Summary: Twelve, trained older (average age 63) cyclists did 2 x 5-minute maximum efforts on a bicycle ergometer separated by an 80-minute recovery period on four occasions. During the recovery between the efforts they wore either compression stockings or no compression stockings. On the second max effort in each case their power decreased compared with the first effort in each pair. The decrease in max power was less when the compression stockings were worn during the preceding recovery and lactate was significantly decreased with the compression stockings also.
4. Duffield, R., J. Cannon, M. King. 2010. The effects of compression garments on recovery of muscle performance following high-intensity sprint and plyometric exercise. J Sci Med Sport 13(1):136-40.
Summary: Eleven subjects completed two exercise sessions separated by seven days. The sessions consisted of 20-meter sprints and 10 bounds every minute. For one session they wore compression stockings. For the other they did not wear compression stockings. Performance was measured for the sprints and bounds. Before each session, immediately after, 2 hours after and 24 hours after the researchers measured muscle twitch properties, knee extension strength, knee flexion strength, blood lactate, body fluid pH, creatine kinase, aspartate transaminase, C-reactive protein, heart rate, ratings of perceived exertion and muscle soreness. There were no differences in performance or other measures except for muscle soreness which was less after using the compression stockings.
5. Higgins, T., G.A. Naughton, D. Burgess. 2009. Effects of wearing compression garments on physiological and performance measures in a simulated game-specific circuit for netball. J Sci Med Sport 12(1):223-6.
Summary: Competitive netball players wore either 1) traditional netball clothing, 2) compression garments or 3) placebo garments. They were tested for sprints, countermovement jumps, blood lactate, heart rate, velocity and distance covered during a game (using GPS technology). With compression garments there was greater distances covered and faster velocities although the enhancements were minimal.
6. Kemmler, W. S. Von Stengel, C. Kockritz, J. Mayhew, A. Wassermann, J. Zapf. 2009. Effect of compression stockings on running performance in men runners. J Strength Con Res 23(1):101-5.
Summary: Twenty-one moderately trained men ran a graded exercise test on a treadmill to a voluntary maximum output on two occasions separated by a week. One test was done with compression socks and the other with standard athletic socks. Running performance with the compression socks improved at anaerobic threshold 1.5% and at aerobic threshold 2.1%.
7. Scanlon, A.T., B.J. Dascombe, P.R. Reaburn, M. Osborne. 2008. The effects of wearing lower-body compression garments during endurance cycling. Int J Sports Physiol Perform 3(4):424-38.
Summary: Twelve well-trained (VO2 max 70.5 +/-4.9 mL/kg/min), young (20.5 +/- 3.6 years old), male cyclists did 2 graded exercise tests and 2 one-hour time trials wearing either full-length SportSkins Classic compression garment (LBCG) or standard underwear briefs (CON). In the graded exercise tests there was a 5% increase in anaerobic threshold power (245.9 +/- 55.7 to 259.8 +/- 44.6 watts) when wearing LBCG. There was no performance enhancement in the time trial (as measured by total work achieved in kilojoules).
8. Sperlich, B., M. Haegele, S. Achtzehn, J. Linville, H.C. Holmberg, J. Mester. 2010. Different types of compression clothing do not increase sub-maximal and maximal endurance performance in well-trained athletes. J Sports Sci 28(6):609-14.
Summary: Fifteen young (27 +/- 4.8 years old), well-trained (VO2 max 63.7 +/- 4.9) athletes did sub-maximal (70% VO2 max) and maximal tests wearing either compression stockings, standard tights or whole-body compression suits. There were no differences in performance, ratings of perceived exertion, muscle soreness, time to exhaustion and lactate concentrations.
Does Compression Clothing Improve Recovery?
9. Ali, A., M.P. Caine, B.G. Snow. 2007. Graduated compression stockings: Physiological and perceptual responses during and after exercise. J Sports Sci 25(4):413-419.
Summary: In this study Ali discovered that after 10km running trials, recreationally active men experienced a reduction in delayed-onset muscle soreness 24 hours after wearing compression stockings (18-22 mmHg) compared with traditional sports socks.
10. Berry, M.J., R.G. McMurray. 1987. Effects of graduated compression stockings on blood lactate following an exhaustive bout of exercise. J Phys Med 66(3):121-32.
Summary: Twelve highly fit males were subjects in 2 experiments. In the first experiment 6 of them did VO2 max tests on a treadmill with and without compression stockings. In the second 6 of them did 3 x 3-minute max efforts on a bicycle ergometer at 110% of their VO2 max. On the first of these 3-minute efforts they wore compression stockings during the test and during recovery. For the second 3-minute bout they wore compression stockings during the test but not during the recovery. On the third they did not use compression stockings for either the 3-minute effort or the recovery. For the first experiment (VO2 max tests) there was no difference in VO2 max with or without compression stockings. But blood lactate levels after the test were lower with compression stockings. For the second experiment (3-minute max efforts) post-exercise lactate was lower only when compression stockings were worn during recovery.
11. Davies, V., K.G. Thompson, S.M. Cooper. 2009. The effects of compression garments on recovery. J Strength Cod Res 23(6):1786-94.
Summary: Following exercises designed to cause soreness 11 trained subjects wore compression tights on one occasion and none on another. Self-reported muscle soreness was reduced by wearing the tights.
12. French D.N., K.G. Thompson, S.W. Garland, C.A. Barnes, M.D. Portas, P.E. Hood, G. Wilkes. 2008. The effects of contrast bathing and compression therapy on muscular performance. Med Sci Sports Exerc 40(7):1297-306.
Summary: Twenty-six young men did heavy-load squats to induce muscle soreness. 48 hours afterwards they were evaluated for strength performance. During the 48 hours they either 1) did hot-cold contrast baths, 2) wore compression stockings or 3) rested passively. Neither the contrast baths or compression stockings promoted recovery any more effectively than passive rest. However, the contrast baths had a brief but transient benefit for reduced soreness.
13. Miyamoto, N., K. Hirata, N. Mitsukawa, T. Yanai, Y. Kawkami. 2011. Effect of pressure intensity of graduated elastic compression stocking on muscle fatigue following calf-raise exercise. J Electromyogr Kinsiol 21(2):249-54.
Summary: Fourteen subjects did 15 sets of 10 reps each of calf raises on different occasions. They wore either standard stockings (CON), compression stockings of 21-25 mmHg at the calf and 30 at the ankle (EC30), or compression stockings of 12-14 mmHg at the calf and 18 at the ankle (EC18). The EC30 stockings produced the lowest levels of fatigue.
14. Montgomery, P.G., D.B. Pyne, W.G. Hopkins, J.C. Dorman, K. Cook, C.L. Minhan. 2008. The effect of recovery strategies on physical performance and cumulative fatigue in competitive basketball. J Sports Sci 26(11):1135-45.
Summary: 29 male basketball players competed in a 3-day tournament. After each game they recovered by either 1) taking in extra carbohydrate and stretching, 2) doing cold-water immersion (11C degrees) or 3) wearing full-leg compression garments (18 mmHg for 18 hours). Measures of recovery were sprint speed, agility, vertical jump height and flexibility. Cold-water produced better recovery results than carbs + stretching or the compression garments.
15. Riman, D., L. Messonier, J. Castells, X. Devillard, P. Calmels. 2010. Effects of compression stockings during exercise and recovery on blood lactate kinetics. Eur J Appl Physiol 110(2):425-33.
Summary: Eight healthy, trained males did 2 maximum-effort tests on bikes with and without compression stockings. Post-exercise lactate removal was significantly faster with compression stockings.
16. Jakeman, J.R., C. Byrne, R.G. Eston. 2010. Lower limb compression garment improves recovery from exercise-induced muscle damage in young, active females. Eur J Appl Physiol 109(6):1137-44.
Summary: Seventeen females did 100 plyometric drop jumps from a high box to induce muscle soreness and damage. Eight of them wore compression stockings for 12 hours post-exercise. Nine did not wear compression stockings after the session. Recovery was measured using self-reported muscle soreness, creatine kinase levels, knee extensor strength and vertical jump height. Compression stockings improved all markers of recovery except for creatine kinase (a marker of muscle cell damage).
17. Kraemer, W.J., S.D. Flanagan, B.A. Comstock, et al. 2010. Effects of a whole body compression garment on markers of recovery after a heavy resistance workout in men and women. J Strength Cond Res 24(3):804-14.
Wearing a full-body compression garment for 24 hours after a challenging, heavy-resistance strength workout enhanced psychological, physiological and performance markers of recovery when compared with non-compressive garments.
SUMMARY
So where does all of this leave us? Unfortunately, when it comes to performance and recovery from using compression garments there are no clear-cut answers. Part of the problem is defining “performance” (Is an increase in aerobic threshold equal in value to a faster time trial? Does improving a netballer’s velocity translate to faster 10km times?) and “recovery” (Does quickly removing lactate after exercise mean a speedier recovery for the following day’s workout?). Using a rather loose definition of “performance” the study yeas and nays for performance are close to even (4 yes: 3, 5, 6, 7 and 6 no: 1, 2, 4, 7, 8, 10). (Note that some studies reported on both performance and recovery.) With an equally liberal definition of “recovery” there is a slight advantage for the yeas (8 yes: 4, 9, 10, 11, 13, 15, 16, 17 and 4 no: 2, 8, 12, 14). Of course, research is really not intended to be simply a way of “voting” or “polling.” There are significant differences in what is studied, who is studied and how the research was designed. Taken as a whole this muddies up the interpretation of such a review.
So there really isn’t an overwhelmingly obvious answer to the questions regarding the benefits of compression clothing for performance and recovery. It still comes down to what each of us thinks and personally experiences (placebo or not). Here are my thoughts.
My sense is that the performance benefits of compression garments are at best very small and probably non-existent. If you’re a triathlete I suspect the time it takes to put the garment on in transition is probably greater than the amount of time gained by wearing it, if there is any time gain at all. Missing one less workout in the build-up to your race or improving your other gear such as bikes and shoes would probably have a greater impact on performance than compression clothing.
When it comes to recovery, however, I believe there really may be a significant benefit. The research somewhat suggests this also. I’ve tried many different types of compression garments both during workouts and in recovery. There were no obvious benefits during the workouts but I could sense some positive post-workout sensations when using the garments to recover. Could this have been a placebo effect? Possibly.
It seems to me, however, that the greatest benefit would come from helping the return of body fluids from the feet, ankles and lower legs where they tend to accumulate in the recovery time after a challenging session. For me that means using compression stockings. I really don’t see much value in shin or thigh sleeves, or hip and thigh tights. They have little or no benefit for helping move fluids out of the lower extremities. In fact, it would seem to me that wearing a shin sleeve would tend to force fluids down into the feet and ankles. But then I’ve seen no research on this at all.
If you use compression clothing I’m sure you have an opinion on the topic also. Feel free to post it in the Comments section below. And if you come across other research in this area please send it my way. Thanks for your comments.
Really great post. Thanks for doing it. I've had so much trouble with my calves/shins for the last 10 years of running that my wife got me compression socks for Christmas as a way to maybe help. Maybe they'll have a placebo effect? Stupid science.
Posted by: BluegillLover | 02/28/2011 at 05:39 AM
Thanks for the info Joe! I appreciate the aggregation of the studies and data here. I've seen individual studies cited here and there (usually to support the writer's beliefs or feelings on compression), but never such a large or objective sample. Through my own experiences and research I came to a similar conclusion as you.
Although I don't think they improve my performance, I like wearing the calf sleeves during races and long workouts (especially in the Winter here in New England) as they keep my legs feeling "comfortable." It has bee my experience that wearing the sleeves for too long post-workout does indeed force fluids down into the feet. I accidentally fell asleep with them on once and woke up with painfully swollen feet. I've invested in a couple of pair of compression stockings (one med and one high according to the study data) and have found them to be indispensable during the first 24 hours post hard workout or race.
Thanks again. This was probably the most helpful information I've found on the subject to date. I'm going to re-blog this on my own blog if that's alright.
Regards,
Doug Welch
(@reallynotarunnr)
http://reallynotarunner.blogspot.com
Posted by: Djdigdoug | 02/28/2011 at 05:50 AM
Just reading the results I came to a different conclusion. Taking the over all results rather than each one at a time, it appears compression clothing does assist in recovery but not in performance. However as i recently discovered compression clothing is basically what is made for geriatrics, but just sold under sports labels. I think a lot of people have been 'had'. Go to your local medical store you can get compression socks that will do the recovery job.
Posted by: Collie | 02/28/2011 at 06:21 AM
Djdigdoug--Thanks. Feel free to repost it to your blog.
Posted by: Joe Friel | 02/28/2011 at 06:51 AM
I agree on the recovery aspect. I've been enjoying my compression socks over the last year. I wear them for recovery in the evening, and when I have to be on my feet for long periods or when driving long distances.
I also have pair of knickers and a pair of shorts. The knickers (from Zoot) are insanely tight — good on the legs, not so nice on the crotch. I've worn them for recovery and also on some winter rides. The shorts (2XU) are not very tight and actually feel almost like a regular pair of bike shorts. I wore them all last year under my bibs during races. Not sure if they helped, but I did like the feeling of the compression.
Bottom line for me is that for a relatively small price I'm getting something that makes me feel a bit fresher and more confident on the bike. The placebo effect is still an effect, right?
Posted by: David Walker | 02/28/2011 at 07:47 AM
I tend to agree with your conclusions - benefits are marginal at best and probably not worth the cash/time for amateurs.
However I think there are also some interesting new products coming out (Adidas powerweb and Asics inner muscle) which are supposed to provide a postural benefit as well as compression, by pulling the body into a certain shape. Perhaps these provide a more compelling case?
Posted by: Chris | 02/28/2011 at 08:14 AM
Joe:
Thanks for a great summary of the literature, as it may dampen the hype that the sales reps make for the compression products they pitch.
In my experience, I have worn them for two reasons that you haven't mentioned, both relating to injury. First, I suffered a Jones fracture in my right foot that was casted, and eventually caused me a deep venous thrombosis. Medical compression socks were recommended to me to lesson further risk (along with 3 months of blood thinners). I continue (rightly or wrongly) to have some feeling of vulnerability in that leg, worrying that I may develop another one as a result of a hard workout, so I wear a compression stocking for a day or so after. I also wear them travelling, even though there is no proof of that value either.
Second, with the aforementioned injury, I developed a recurrent calf strain on the opposite leg, which may have been initially overcompensatory, but nonetheless troublesome, often flaring up after races and harder runs, with swelling and even bruising noted afterward. Because of the recurrent nature of it, I sometimes wear a calf sleeve during a training run on the one leg, in the blind hope that I may be providing stability to the calf, although I my theories remain unproven.
It is well known that those who have a tendency to be on their feet all day will tend to have more swollen feet by the end of the day, and many of these people get some benefit from wearing compression stockings while they are up and around, with less swelling, and less aching. It is that perception that, to me, parallels the hard workout in athletes, justifying their use for especially the post-exercise period, even if that is not readily quantifiable.
Posted by: Mark | 02/28/2011 at 08:44 AM
I notice a significant difference when I use compression socks during travel post-race. After a race, it is common to sit in the car, or airplane, for several hours on the way home. By wearing compression socks, my legs feel significantly better both during these long trips and the next day.
Posted by: Alex | 02/28/2011 at 08:45 AM
Hi Joe
Thank you for a really interesting article.
I've been wearing compression socks for the past 4 years or so and have believed that I do get some benefit. I cannot comment on performance as I haven't done any specific tests, but certainly in recovery and reduction in soreness I would say I've benefitted. I will only wear my socks on runs longer than 15 km and typically not afterwards. I have found that my calves are less sore (than if I forget to wear my socks).
Last year in training for the 89km Comrades marathon, I did a 3 day event called the Easter 100km. At the end of the event (which I wore compression socks each day) I happened to pop into my tri shop and tried on a pair of Zoot compression tights. The thing that struck me was that with the socks on, all the soreness in my legs disappeared - immediately. As soon as I took the tights off, the soreness came straight back to my glutes and quads, but my calves remained free of muscle soreness.
Yesterday, I completed a 3 day 100km trail run, wearing my socks (and funnily enough for the 1st time a pair for recovery) and today, I'm walking and feeling okay.
Thanks.
Iano
Posted by: Iano | 02/28/2011 at 09:20 AM
I've been wearing them for a few months, mostly for running, mtb-forgot my socks one day, and cyclocross. Here's an interesting observation: The Bontrager shoes I wear are a little tight and my wider foot feels pressure and pain at the beginning of a ride. With compression socks, no pain or pressure the day I forgot my "regular" socks. Not real scientific but my feet feel better...
Brent
Posted by: Brent | 02/28/2011 at 10:00 AM
Thank you Joe for that great post.
Posted by: Jerome Dardel | 02/28/2011 at 10:08 AM
In designing a proper double-blind medical experiment, one must be careful that the subjects do not know they are receiving special treatment, which is why they receive either the pill under test or a placebo. With compression socks it may be difficult to satisfy this requirement, so positive results may need to be taken with a degree of skepticism.
Posted by: David Elsbernd | 02/28/2011 at 10:39 AM
Wearing compression gear can be a concrete reminder to yourself that you are in recovery mode and should stay off your feet and take it easy. I wore compression tights last year after day 1 of a couple of multi-day cycling events. Not only did they make my legs feel good, but I was continuously aware that I needed to focus on recovery. Instead of my usual over-activity following a race, I rested and perhaps did better on day 2 (who really knows).
Posted by: Linda | 02/28/2011 at 11:08 AM
My own subjective observations support the overall consensus which seems to be emerging that compression aids recovery but not performance.
I usually wear compression tights to recover from long hard rides over a hilly 100km or more, where the legs end up feeling sore and abused when I get off the bike. Every time I have worn the tights (I sleep in 'em as well) the legs feel mint in the morning. Every time I haven't worn them the legs have that heavy, achy tired feeling, especially when called to do something like walk up stairs. The difference is so obvious that, to me, the recovery effects are real, not minor, and definitely not a placebo.
I have used both 2XU tights and the Skins RY400 and both do the job nicely. I found them especially useful for overnight recovery when doing a 7-day tour with 100km+ stage racing each day.
Posted by: Paul Waite | 02/28/2011 at 11:56 AM
Thanks for the great article Joe. I consult your book (Bible), articles, and blog frequently! Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation or RICE is a well known injury treatment formula. Is Compression (gear) possibly good for recovery for the same reasons it is good for injury treatment? I have always thought it made sense that compression was beneficial for recovery, since recovery is, in part, about healing microscopic tissue damage. I have never use compression during races. I have read accounts of pros using a compression suit which ices as well. Greg
Posted by: greg Hinrichsen | 02/28/2011 at 12:20 PM
Concerning shin/calf compression post-workout, I would think that unless the compression garment is extremely tight, there would be only a minimal restriction of blood flow to the feet.
Besides, it's the calves that have the large running-related muscles which need to have fluids pumped out.
Sure there are muscles in the feet, but that's not where the greatest post-workout inflammation and build-up of fluid is.
Posted by: Jerry Nairn | 02/28/2011 at 01:05 PM
Great post! I have never worn my compressions for races but I use them for recovery and have found them to be effective, even if worn a few hours. Usually I wear them to sleep especially after a long run. It does appear to make me recover better and faster.
Posted by: Hui Koon | 02/28/2011 at 04:08 PM
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Posted by: Coach Bags | 02/28/2011 at 05:45 PM
hi joe,
I have been using compression more recently to combat DVT formation in lower limb, a genetic blood disorder makes me hyper coagulant meaning i clot very easily. Mixed with micro tearing of muscles from training loads and dehydration the potential to from clots is very great from varicose veins in lower limb. talking to my long time physio and vascular doc, they have agreed that post training compression be a good thing 1/ to shut down any micro bleeds 2/ stop blood pooling( eg sitting down and inactive) combined with icing of know areas of varicose veins. compression has helped reduce the risk level of clotting, dehydration has also been a critical aspect to all this...i have now decided to wear compression while training as there is a notable difference in how " ugly" the v veins look after training , some external vein wall support.
PS love the info you put up!
Posted by: damian knightsbridge | 02/28/2011 at 07:43 PM
Thanks for the update! This is certainly a trend that appears to have a great deal of marketing dollars behind it, but the science doesn't seem that convincing.
I am concerned with the focus on optimizing recovery because there is the muddying of the line between what is ideal for performance or racing, and what is ideal during training. While there are athletes (both age-group/amateur and pro) who struggle to recover properly before the next workout during hard training blocks, this is not necessarily a major problem for most.
I am particularly concerned that the under-recovery that some amateur athletes experience can often be due to simply not eating/hydrating properly or not going to bed early enough (e.g. recovery techniques that don't require marketing dollars), and compression garments can seem like a way to compensate for it. Also, optimizing recovery strategies without compensating by shortening recovery periods and training more often or at higher intensities could mean that the training effect of individual workouts may actually be diminished.
Obviously, the evidence you present suggests that recovery between days/bouts of COMPETITION, or at least performance, can benefit from strategies that improve blood flow to and from the extremities (e.g. compression garments, cold-water immersion, etc.). I just question the need to have every supplement and training aid at hand for every workout.
I welcome your thoughts on this!
Posted by: Mike Patton | 02/28/2011 at 10:11 PM
I accidentally hit 'delete' for the following comment by 'Madeleine':
I may be out on a limb here (no pun intended), but the legs go round ‘n’ round just like wheels do. Wouldn’t the rotational weight issues that influence cyclists to buy lighter wheelsets be relevant to the potential benefit of using compression stockings? Small volume edema (e.g. 200grams of edema fluid in each leg) would be impossible to detect visually or that your doctor would notice on physical exam. Since the cited studies don’t (and can’t) measure the change in weight of one leg at a time in a controlled way (i.e. before and after a race or over the course of an intense block of training, with and without the use of compression stockings), they don’t control for the variable of chronic venous insufficiency. Almost all the studies focus on young athletes, for whom the risk of chronic venous insufficiency is slight. Middle aged and age-group athletes may have acquired a mild degree CVI over the years (there is a nice general medical review of this in Bergan et al N Engl J Med 2006; 355:488-498), and have a greater succeptibility to small volume edema in the legs that their training exacerbates. If, then, an athlete has the propensity to develop small volume edema, it would have a similar effect to wearing cycling/running shoes that, instead of weighing 600gm per pair, weigh 1000gm. Over short tests lasting an hour or less, such a weight change may not have a statistically significant impact on the parameters being analyzed. But carrying around an extra 400gm below the knees for the twenty-five thousand pedal strokes of an 80 mile bike race, or for a triathlon, or in a multi-day stage race might have a measurable impact on outcome. Am I out on a limb here?
Reply: Interesting way of looking at it. So you're suggesting that the studies' work durations probably aren't long and the subjects perhaps not old enough to really measure the most likely changes in performance? Right?
Posted by: Joe Friel | 03/01/2011 at 01:04 PM
I first started wearing the gear in Trans Rockies. just seeing the expression on the face of our competition was worth it as they suspected we had an advantage they didn't.
but if the gains are between 1 and 5% would that not be a significant gain even if it doesn't sound like much?
agree on the age differentiation.
y
from a meta data point of view I didn't see any negatives from all the studies. wouldn't that suggest the answer is somewhere between positive and neutral?
Keith
Posted by: Keith T | 03/01/2011 at 03:00 PM
Keith--I've heard of bracelets that are supposed to create some sort of invisible aura around you (or some such BS) which makes you perform better. There's no known downside. It may even have a positive placebo effect. Would you therefore buy one? I suspect not. Where do we draw the line and say 'enough'? What standards do we use as athletes for all of the stuff someone is trying to sell us to perform better?
Posted by: Joe Friel | 03/01/2011 at 03:49 PM
I'm new to cycling. I just completed my 3rd race ever this past weekend. I did the Boulevard race in CA first and didn't wear the compression tights for recovery and the next day or two my legs felt horrid.
The next race I did was a 3 day stage race in AZ. I wore the rights after each stage and even by the 3rd day I didn't feel nearly as sore as after Boulevard.
Last weekend I did a Vegas stage race and again my legs felt pretty darn good after all 3 stages with the use of the tights.
So, gimmick or not, in my mind they are working for me! :) I got 2nd overall in last weekends race!
Posted by: Cat | 03/01/2011 at 04:21 PM
Hi Joe,
You read me correctly. I think the studies are valid in their own right – the results support the conclusions. But the usefulness of the results to an individual reader is defined entirely by (a) the degree to which the cohort definition includes the relevant demographic; and (b) the degree to which the study endpoints approximate the individual's events. Particularly with negative results, I think it is unsafe to try to extrapolate to participants in long duration events, or to individuals who fall into a demographic other than what was studied (i.e. individuals who are actually succeptible simply by virtue of age to the condition that the compression stockings were designed to alleviate).
But about that limb I am out on. Do you think that the rotational weight of the foot and lower leg should be thought of as influencing performance in the same mechanical way as the rotational weight of wheelsets? Smaller circles, true. But why do we spend so much on lighter shoes and pedal-cleat systems? I'd have to be able to calculate how much the moment of inertia would change if there were 400 extra grams rotating around the bottom bracket axis, and I'm just not a mathematician ...
Thanks,
Madeleine
Posted by: Madeleine | 03/01/2011 at 05:03 PM