Research has shown that custom fit compression results in faster recovery than standard sized (off the shelf) compression garments (Brown et al., 2022a).
Why?
For compression garments to work they must fit correctly and have the correct amount of pressure applied. Custom fit based on a 3D scan, is the only way to achieve perfect fit and accurate compression for every athlete. With standard sized compression garments, athletes are sized to garments based on measures of height and weight, meaning that athletes of all different shapes and sizes are fitted to the same sized garment.
It’s impossible for all athletes to get accurate compression with standard sized garments. This is shown clearly in the results of leading compression research (Hill et al., 2015, Brown et al., 2022b).
Variation in pressure with standard sized compression garments
In a study comparing three different brands of commercially available (off the shelf) compression garments, the pressure exerted by the garments varied considerably between brands (Hill et al., 2015).
Figure 1: Pressure exerted at the calf and thigh in three different brands of compression garment and compared to the ideal pressure suggested by Watanuki and Murata 1994. (Hill et al., 2015).
For one of the brands assessed in the study (2XU), when subjects were fitted to the garment according to manufactures instructions, pressure ranged from 4-16.7mmHg at the quadriceps and from 10.3-25mmHg at the calf (Hill et al., 2015), demonstrating the inconsistencies in the amount of compression that each subject receives from off the shelf garments.
In addition, the off the shelf compression garment failed to meet ideal pressure by 34% for the males and 47% for the females (Hill et al., 2015).
Based on these findings, the authors concluded that the majority of people wearing off the shelf garments may not be receiving adequate levels of compression to be of benefit (Hill et al., 2015). The latest research recommends the use of custom fit compression garments for athletes wanting to optimise physiological benefits from compression (Brophy-Williams et al., 2020, Brown et al., 2022a).
Pressure exerted by custom fit compression compared to off the shelf
Brown et al., (2022a) reported a higher level of compression exerted by custom fit garments compared to off the shelf garments at the ankle, calf and thigh.
| Custom Fit | Off the shelf | |
| Garment Pressure Ankle (mm Hg) | 32 ± 3 | 11 ± 5 |
| Garment Pressure Calf (mm Hg) | 24 ± 4 | 10 ± 3 |
| Garment Pressure Thigh (mm Hg) | 19 ± 3 | 7 ± 3 |
In addition, Brown et al. (2022b), showed that the pressure applied by custom fit compression garments demonstrate a smaller between individual variation in pressure compared to sports compression, especially at the thigh and the ankle.
Figure 2: Recorded garment pressures and CVs for custom-fit, compared with sports compression leggings. CF, custom-fitted garments; STD, sports compression leggings; Black circles/columns, CF; grey circles/columns, STD. Garment pressures are plotted in the upper panels (A and C); a, repeated-measures comparison, c, parallel-group comparison. CV values are plotted in the lower panels (B and D) as solid columns; b, repeated-measures comparison, d, parallel group comparison. *Significant difference in mean pressures between garments ( P < 0.001); γ Significant difference in CV between garments ( P < 0.05) (Brown et al., 2022).
So research shows that:
- Standard sized garments provide inconsistent amounts of compression.
- Compression varies between brands of standard sized garments.
- Athletes wearing standard sized garments may not be receiving adequate compression for any benefit.
- Custom fit compression garments provide less variable and more consistent pressure.
- Custom fit compression garments result in faster recovery than standard sized garments or no compression.
Custom fit ensures accurate compression for consistent benefits, bringing the new world of compression to elite athletes!
REFERENCES
- Brophy-Williams, James W. Fell, Shona L. Halson, Cecilia M. Kitic & Matthew W. Driller (2020): Pressure gradient differences between medical grade and sports compression socks, The Journal of The Textile Institute. 112(2): 187-191.
- Brown, F, Jeffries, O, Gissane, C, Howatson, G, van Someren, K, Pedlar, C, Myers, T, and Hill, JA. (2022a): Custom-fitted compression garments enhance recovery from muscle damage in rugby players. J Strength Cond Res. 36(1): 212-219
- Brown, F, Hill, JA., Pedler, CR. (2022b). Compression Garments for Recovery from Muscle Damage: Evidence and Implications of Dose Responses. Current Sports Medicine Reports (21 (2); 45-52.
- Hill, J., Howatson, G., Someren, K., Davidson, S., & Pedlar, C. (2015). The variation in pressures exerted by commercially available compression garments. Sports Engineering (Springer Science & Business Media B.V.), 18, 115-121.
