Donning A Full-Body Compression Garment During Recovery Does Not Improve Anaerobic Performance In Healthy Adults

Wearing compression garments (CG) during exercise may decrease the risk of injury and mitigate muscle soreness. Additionally, acutely donning a novel full-body CG has been shown to enhance performance during acute exercise. However, the effects of donning this CG during recovery on subsequent anaerobic performance remain unclear. PURPOSE: Thus, the purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that wearing CG during recovery improves subsequent anaerobic performance when compared to not wearing CG during recovery. METHODS: Fourteen healthy adults (age: 21 ± 2 y; BMI: 23.7 ± 1.6 kg/m2, 5 F) completed three randomized experimental trials: not wearing CG (CT), wearing CG only during recovery (RC), and wearing CG the entire trial (CG). After 10 minutes of supine rest, subjects completed two Wingate Anaerobic Tests (WAnT) where they cycled against 7.5% of their body weight in kg for 30 sec. Between the two WAnTs, subjects assumed a 15 min supine recovery. Peak power (PP) and mean power (MP), both measured in absolute (W) and relative (W/kg) units, and fatigue index (FI; %) were recorded for each WAnT. Data are presented as a change from the first WAnT and were analyzed via a two-way repeated measures ANOVA. RESULTS: There were no statistical differences (p = 0.98) for the change in absolute PP (CT = 32.3 ± 70.4 W, RC = 26.3 ± 87.6 W, CG = 30.0 ± 124.5 W). Nor were there significant differences (p = 0.67) for the change in relative PP (CT = 0.43 ± 0.92 W/kg, RC = 0.83 ± 1.46 W/kg, CG = 0.42 ± 1.68 W/kg). Additionally, no statistical differences (p = 0.86) for the change in absolute MP (CT = 1.4 ± 21.6 W, RC = 7.3 ± 24.3 W, CG = 3.1 ± 37.9 W). Nor were there statistical differences (p = 0.95) for the change in relative MP (CT = 0.02 ± 0.30 W/kg, RC = 0.05 ± 0.28 W/kg, CG 0.01 ± 0.51 W/kg). Lastly, there were no statistical differences (p = 0.55) for the change in FI (CT = 2.2 ± 8.4%, RC = 8.7 ± 20.7%, CG = 5.7 ± 15.8%). CONCLUSIONS: Altogether, there were no significant differences between CT, RC, or CG for anaerobic performance. It does not appear that wearing CG during recovery and/or exercise and recovery enhances subsequent performance when compared to not wearing CG. However, CG does not appear to hinder performance either.