Open Access Journal of Sports Medicine (Jan 2020)

Effects of Wearing Compression Stockings on Exercise Performance and Associated Indicators: A Systematic Review

  • Mota GR,
  • Simim MAM,
  • Santos IA,
  • Sasaki JE,
  • Marocolo M

Journal volume & issue
Vol. Volume 11
pp. 29 – 42

Abstract

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Gustavo R Mota,1 Mário Antônio de Moura Simim,2 Izabela Aparecida dos Santos,1 Jeffer Eidi Sasaki,1 Moacir Marocolo3 1Human Performance and Sport Research Group, Department of Sport Sciences, Institute of Health Sciences, Federal University of Triangulo Mineiro, Uberaba, MG, Brazil; 2Research Group in Biodynamic Human Movement, Institute of Physical Education and Sports, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil; 3Physiology and Human Performance Research Group, Department of Physiology, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora, MG, BrazilCorrespondence: Gustavo R MotaHuman Performance and Sport Research Group, Department of Sport Sciences/Institute of Health Sciences, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro, Av. Tutunas, 490 Uberaba/MG, Uberaba 38061-500, BrazilTel +55 34 3700-6633Email [email protected]: This systematic review investigated the effects of wearing below-knee compression stockings (CS) on exercise performance (or sports activity) and associated physiological and perceived indicators. We searched articles on PubMed using the following terms: “graduated compression stockings”; “compression stockings”; “graduated compression socks”; “compression socks” combined with “performance”, “athletes”, “exercise”, “exercise performance”, “fatigue”, “sports” and “recovery”, resulting in 1067 papers. After checking for inclusion criteria (e.g., original studies, healthy subjects, performance analysis), 21 studies were selected and analyzed. We conclude that wearing CS during exercise improved performance in a small number of studies. However, wearing CS could benefit muscle function indicators and perceived muscle soreness during the recovery period. Future research should investigate the chronic effect of CS on Sports Medicine and athletic performance.Keywords: ergogenic aid, fatigue, sports, medicine, prevention, soccer, running

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