With the start of the new year, it’s time to rethink compression.
Until recently athletes could only choose retail compression, which means that lots of different players are wearing the same size garments. This means the compression is all over the place, and the outcome is a guess. For example, one size in a commercially available brand is suggested to fit athletes ranging from 150-185cm and 65-90kg!
Hill et al. (2015) showed considerable variation in the pressure exerted by commercially available compression garments, and it has also been shown that poorly fitting garments have no effect or even a detrimental effect on recovery (Wannup et al., 2016). Fit is CRITICAL.
Custom fit compression garments are the only way to ensure every athlete receives accurate fit and optimum compression for genuine benefit. Brown et al. (2022) showed that custom fit garments improved strength recovery and markers of muscle damage DRAMATICALLY compared to standard sized garments. In fact, the standard sized garments were no more effective than a sham treatment!
Athletes can now wear real or pretend compression. See www.capebionics.com for much more info.
REFERENCES:
- Brown, F, Jeffries, O, Gissane, C, Howatson, G, van Someren, K, Pedlar, C, Myers, T, and Hill, JA. (2022): Custom-fitted compression garments enhance recovery from muscle damage in rugby players. J Strength Cond Res. 36(1): 212-219.
- 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.
- Wannop JW, Worobets JT, Madden R, Stefanyshyn DJ. (2016) Influence of Compression and Stiffness Apparel on Vertical Jump Performance. J Strength Cond Res. 30(4):1093-101.
