Addressing hamstring muscle soreness in female NCAA athletes: design and evaluation of a user-centered compression sleeve for recovery

Compression garments are used by athletes for post-exercise recovery and injury prevention, yet their effectiveness depends on the interaction between textile properties, garment construction, and user-specific biomechanics. Despite growing participation of women in collegiate sports, few studies have examined recovery-focused compression engineered specifically for female athletes. This pilot investigation combined user-centered design methodology with textile performance testing to develop and evaluate a hamstring compression sleeve for female NCAA athletes. Survey data from competitive athletes (N = 34) identified durability, stretch, and thermal comfort as primary design priorities. Five candidate fabrics were evaluated for thickness, mass, elongation, and air permeability, leading to selection of a spacer knit fabric that provided high extensibility with sufficient stability for localized compression. A prototype sleeve incorporating elastomeric striping aligned with hamstring musculature was produced and evaluated during four repeated sprint testing sessions with NCAA athletes (N = 8). Functional performance measures included isometric strength, jump performance, and power output, alongside perceived soreness and wearability assessments. No statistically significant differences were detected between the compression and control limbs across biomechanical performance variables. However, participants consistently reported positive perceptions related to comfort, usability, and recovery support. These findings suggest that perceived benefits of compression garments may not always be reflected into short-term performance metrics, but remain relevant to athlete experience. The study demonstrates the feasibility of integrating textile engineering, garment design, and athlete feedback within a single development process and provides a framework for future optimization of compression systems tailored to female athletic populations.