Compression garments are popular with some athletes who think the tight sleeves lends a competitive edge.
But that may not be the case, according to two new studies presented in June at the annual meeting of the American College of Sports Medicine in Baltimore.
One study looked at the effect on oxygen consumption among 16 trained male distance runners who wore lower-leg compression sleeves. The sleeves, which run from just above the ankle to just below the knee, were worn during a 12-minute running test. The athletes also did the test without the sleeves.
Oxygen consumption did not change significantly in either test. However, small variations were noted - four runners had greater than 1 percent average increase in oxygen consumption, which means they ran less efficiently. Four runners also had a greater than 1 percent average decrease in oxygen consumption. There was no change in running mechanics. "Overall, with these compressive sleeves and the level of compression that they exert, they don't seem to really do much," Abigail Laymon, the study's lead author, said in a news release. "However, there may be a psychological component to compression's effects. Maybe if you have this positive feeling about it and you like them, then it may work for you."
The other study focused on upper-thigh compression garments. Indiana University researcher Nathan Eckert tested three types of garments on 25 men who did vertical jumps.
Each test subject did the jumps while wearing a waist-to-knee garment that fit exactly, one that was a size smaller, and one that was a size larger. No differences were noted in jump height.
