The use of compression stockings during a marathon competition to reduce exercise-induced muscle damage: are they really useful?

Abstract

OBJECTIVES:

To examine the efficacy of wearing compression stockings to prevent muscle damage and to maintain running performance during a marathon competition.

BACKGROUND:

Exercise-induced muscle damage has been identified as one of the main causes of the progressive decrease in running and muscular performance found during marathon races.

METHODS:

Thirty-four experienced runners were pair-matched for age, anthropometric data, and best race time in the marathon, and randomly assigned to a control group (n = 17) of runners who wore conventional socks or to a group of runners who wore foot-to-knee graduated compression stockings (n = 17). Before and after the race, a sample of venous blood was obtained, and jump height and leg muscle power were measured during a countermovement jump. Serum myoglobin and creatine kinase concentrations were determined as blood markers of muscle fiber damage.