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TO WEAR OR NOT TO WEAR: DO COMPRESSION PANTS AFFECT MUSCLE RECOVERY?

G Rentuma
S Burns

Abstract

Gabrielle Rentuma, Dr. Steve Burns; University of Central Missouri, Warrensburg, MO; e-mail: gsr97500@ucmo.edu

Purpose: Published research is divided on the efficacy of compression pants for recovery post exercise. The purpose of this study was to examine if the use of compression pants affects muscle recovery. Methods: Six recreationally active participants (4 female, 2 male) were in this study. Subjects performed a Wingate test, 3 sets of 10 vertical jumps, and 60 reps at 60% of their 1RM on a leg-extension machine. Following exercise, subjects wore either a Nike-brand compression pant (COMP) or loose-fitting shorts (NONCOMP) during the 60-minute recovery phase. Blood markers evaluated during the recovery phase were creatine kinase and lactate. The recovery phase consisted of: creatine kinase blood draws at 0 and 60 minutes; lactate finger pricks at 0, 15, 30, 45, and 60 minutes; and perceived muscle soreness ratings at 30 and 60 minutes. Subjects subjectively rated their muscle soreness on a scale of 1-10. Subjects returned to the lab at 24 and 48 hours post exercise for an additional blood draw and perceived muscle soreness assessment. Subjects completed this protocol a total of two times wearing both conditions. Results: Mean ± SD values for creatine kinase at baseline-60 minutes for COMP versus NONCOMP (7.6 ± 49.6 vs. 12.5 ± 37.8 U/L); at baseline-24 hours (60.3 ± 236.4 vs. 16.6 ± 44.5 U/L); and, at baseline-48 hours (223.9 ± 559.6 vs. -11.1 ± 54.5 U/L). Values for lactate at baseline-15 minutes (0.7 ± 2.2 vs. 1.6 ± 2.2 MMOL/dl); at baseline-30 minutes (3.2 ± 2.2 vs. 4.1 ± 1.1 MMOL/dl); at baseline-45 minutes (3.7 ± 1.5 vs. 3.0 ± 1.6 MMOL/dl); and, at baseline-60 minutes (4.4 ± 2.7 vs. 4.7 ± 2.6 MMOL/dl). Values for perceived muscle soreness at 30 minutes at 30 minutes (2.3 ± 1.4 vs. 3.2 ± 0.4); at 60 minutes (2.2 ± 1.4 vs. 3.0 ± 0.6); at 24 hours (1.7 ± 2.0 vs. 1.3 ± 0.6); and, at 48 hours (1.0 ± 0.0 vs. 1.1 ± 0.2). Paired t-tests for creatine kinase, lactate, and perceived muscle soreness showed no significant difference between the conditions. Conclusion: There were no benefits to wearing compression pants.

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