For compression garments to be effective, the compression regime must be accurate. Standard sized (off the shelf) compression garments have generic sizes (S, M, L, XL) and individuals are assigned a size based on their height and weight. Given the differences in body shape and size, it is impossible for every individual to receive optimal compression from off the shelf garments.
In a popular commercial compression brand, a medium garment is recommended for individuals ranging from 150cm/65kg all the way to 180cm/85kg. Given such a wide range for a single size, it is not possible to achieve accurate and effective compression for everyone.
Variation in pressure exerted by off the shelf 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).
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.
Why custom fit compression is so important
The only way to ensure accurate and effective compression is to custom fit each garment to each individual. With custom fit compression, no two garments are ever the same, even the left and the right side are sized differently! For elite athletes wanting to get optimal benefits from compression, custom fit is the only choice.
“If you go into any training environment any professional sport, the players are all shapes and sizes, they don’t all fit into small, medium or large. They are just completely different shapes and sizes, completely different girths, just absolutely so different! If we have the opportunity, we should absolutely be making tailored garments for them, it just makes so much sense.” (Ian McKeown, Vice President of Athlete Performance and Wellness, Philadelphia Flyers).
REFERENCES:
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.
