Should You Wear Compression Gear?
If you work out or train odds are you have used compression garments at some point, but are they helping?
Studies show that compression garments have no effect on racing performance, VO2 max, cardiac response, or blood lactate. They do have a small positive effect on time to exhaustion, running economy, perceived exertion, and markers of muscle damage & inflammation.
Compression garments are best used to help decrease delays onset muscle soreness and decreased post-exercise leg soreness recovery.
Compression garments DO help aid the recovery of maximal strength at least 24 hours post exercise. They may promote the restoration of strength and power performance following resistance training or eccentric exercise and can help with next-day performance. Continue wearing the gear, but odds are it's better to wear post exercise than during exercise.
