Background Compression garments have gained interest over the past ten years, especially when investigating the recovery from a strenuous strength session. Since compression garments have increased in popularity over the past years, scientific results regarding possible benefits are still lacking. 

Aim The aim of the current study was to investigate the recovery from an eccentric exercise session with regards to physiological performance and perceived feelings of muscle soreness, fatigue and recovery in recreational athletes after wearing customized compression garments for 24-hours.

Method Thirteen recreational athletes (age 24.7±4.0 years (mean ± SD), length 171.3±7.0 cm, weight 70.8±9.4 kg), participated in this randomized crossover designed study. After a familiarization trial, participants completed two rounds of testing and exercise in both a control (CON) and a compression condition (CG). Garments were worn for 24-hours post exercise in the compression condition whereas regular clothing were used in the control condition. Performance variables of Wingate Anaerobic cycle Test, agility t-test and broad jump were assessed as well as subjective feelings of muscle soreness, both at baseline and 24-hours post a lower body eccentric exercise session.

Results Muscle soreness was significantly higher 24 hours post recovery (p=0.02) compared to baseline but no difference was seen between groups (p>0.05). There was a significant difference in perceived recovery (increased in CG, p=0.012) and fatigue (increased in CON, p=0.04) between conditions 24-hours post recovery. Physiological performance measured with Wingate, agility t-test and broad jumps were not different among either group or time (p>0.05). Perceived sleep quality was not different from pre-workout or between groups (p>0.05).

Conclusion Based on our findings in the current study, there seems to be no physiological benefit in performance 24-hours after wearing customized compression garments compared to a control condition. However, there seems to be a psychological benefit from wearing the garments with a reduced feeling of fatigue and an improved recovery