Enhancing recovery between training? Investigating the benefits of compression stockings in runners

Purpose To determine whether wearing compression stockings (CS) exclusively during the 24-h recovery between consecutive high-intensity running sessions improves next-day countermovement jump (CMJ) performance, gait biomechanics, running economy (RE), perceived outcomes of rating of perceived exertion (RPE) and delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) in recreational runners. Methods Twelve endurance runners participated in a randomized, counterbalanced within-subjects crossover with two consecutive test days per block. After an individualised high-intensity running protocol, participants recovered for 24 h wearing either medical thigh-high CS (23–32 mmHg) or not to investigate the effects on the above outcomes. Results No significant differences were found in CMJ, gait variables, and RE. For DOMS, Friedman tests showed time effect in both conditions (CON χ 2 (3) = 21.10, p < .001; CGs χ 2 (3) = 24.68, p < .001). Specifically, DOMS declined from Day 1 Post to Day 2 Pre in CGs (Z = −2.904, p = 0.004) but not in CON (Z = −1.179, p = 0.239), indicating improved recovery with compression garments. A significant Condition × Time interaction was found for RPE (f(1,11) = 5.26, p = 0.043), increasing across days in CON but not in CGs. Conclusions These findings suggest that CS do not enhance the objective markers of recovery, in gait variables, RE, or jump performance for training recovery, but may accelerate the decline of DOMS during the overnight recovery phase and reduce RPE across consecutive training days, thereby supporting perceived recovery in runners.