Are compression garments effective for the recovery of exercise-induced muscle damage? A systematic review with meta-analysis

• Controversy in pressure, time of treatment and type of garment to maximize benefit
• Conclusive evidence increasing power and strength
• Conclusive evidence reducing perceived muscle soreness and swelling
• No clear evidence of decreased lactate or creatine kinase
• Little evidence of decreased lactate dehydrogenase

PurposeThe aim was to identify benefits of compression garments used for recovery of exercised-induced muscle damage.MethodsComputer-based literature research was performed in September 2015 using four online databases: Medline (PubMed), Cochrane, WOS (Web Of Science) and Scopus. The analysis of risk of bias was completed in accordance with the Cochrane Collaboration Guidelines. Mean differences and 95% confidence intervals were calculated with Hedges' g for continuous outcomes. A random effect meta-analysis model was used. Systematic differences (heterogeneity) were assessed with I2 statistic.ResultsMost results obtained had high heterogeneity, thus their interpretation should be careful. Our findings showed that creatine kinase (standard mean difference = − 0.02, 9 studies) was unaffected when using compression garments for recovery purposes. In contrast, blood lactate concentration was increased (standard mean difference = 0.98, 5 studies). Applying compression reduced lactate dehydrogenase (standard mean difference = − 0.52, 2 studies), muscle swelling (standard mean difference = − 0.73, 5 studies) and perceptual measurements (standard mean difference = − 0.43, 15 studies). Analyses of power (standard mean difference = 1.63, 5 studies) and strength (standard mean difference = 1.18, 8 studies) indicate faster recovery of muscle function after exercise.ConclusionsThese results suggest that the application of compression clothing may aid in the recovery of exercise induced muscle damage, although the findings need corroboration.