Compression: What the sock?

On October 29, 2009, in Lower Extremity, Sports Performance, by jcubos

The use of compression garments have increased in popularity in recent years thanks in part to Allen Iverson of the NBA, hockey players suffering from adduction-related groin pain, and speedo-clad, energy bar eating, multisport athletes called triathletes. Along with this increase in compression wear have been the recent emergence of what the urban dictionary would classify as “haters.” Unfortunately for these “haters,” recent research has trended toward positive results for these compression garments indicating that they may, in fact, have performance-improving qualities. Below is a brief summary of a recently published paper looking at the Effect of Compression Stockings on Running Performance in Men Runners.

Study Methods

21 moderately trained men acted as participants. These men had a history of running for > 4 years (25-70 km/wk).
A randomized crossover design was used that enabled the study participants to serve as their own controls (this is ideal in research to minimize the influence of external variables pertaining to the subject population)
A stepwise speed-incremented treadmill test was performed to voluntary maximum termination. While most races are held in external environments (i.e. outside), this permitted maximum control of pacing.
O2 uptake, CO2 production, pulmonary ventilation, lactate concentration, maximum heart rate, and anaerobic/aerobic thresholds were measured.
Below the knee compression stockings that provided 24 mmHg of compression at the ankle and consistent 18-20 mmHg at the calf were utilized. This is different than the “graduated” compression traditionally used in medical settings.

Study Results

Running performance demonstrated that time under load, total work, and maximum speed were significantly higher in the compression-wearing athletes. Running speeds at both anaerobic and aerobic thresholds were significantly faster in the intervention group as well.
No difference was found pertaining to oxygen, lactate, heart rate, and pulmonary variables.

Although it is difficult to pinpoint with 100% accuracy the exact mechanism of operation (previous studies have looked at venous hemodynamics, arterial perfusion, tissue oxygenation, muscle oscillation, lactate clearance, and DOMS), the results of this study suggest that compression socks may actually play a role in improving various aspects of run performance through mechanical efficiency. Of course, many factors may have influenced this study’s results (psychological effects, lack of placebo, etc) and most certainly does one study not preclude theoretical confirmation, however, many other studies have shown statistical significance and I have yet to read a paper that has demonstrated negative impacts on sport performance. It is therefore within reason for athletes to utilize compression socks for purposes other than dressing up as a Larry Bird at Halloween. So for all the ballers, trigeeks, and Radcliffe-wannabes, you have my permission to emancipate yourself!