Do Compression Garments Enhance Running Performance
An updated review.
Runners widely use compression garments to enhance performance, but evidence supporting their effectiveness has been inconclusive. This updated review aims to provide clarity on the topic.
Key Points
The study analysed 51 eligible RCTs with 899 participants.
Primary outcomes were race time and time to exhaustion.
Secondary outcomes included running speed, race pace, submaximal oxygen uptake, tissue oxygenation, and soft tissue vibration.
Aim
To compare the effects of wearing compression garments during running versus non-compression garments on running performance.
Methods
A comprehensive search of electronic databases from inception to September 2024.
Included RCTs comparing compression garment use to controls during running.
Used random-effects meta-analyses to generate pooled estimates.
Conducted subgroup analyses for garment type, race type, and contact surface.
Results
No significant improvement in race time.
No significant improvement in time to exhaustion.
No performance benefits were observed in secondary outcomes.
Compression garments significantly reduced soft tissue vibration.
Subgroup analyses showed no effects from garment type, race type, or surface.
The certainty of evidence was rated low to very low.
Practical Takeaways
Runners should not expect significant performance improvements from wearing compression garments during running.
Compression garments may help reduce soft tissue vibration, potentially enhancing comfort during running.
Individual preferences and perceived benefits should guide the decision to use compression garments.
Key Takeaways
Current evidence does not support using compression garments for improving running performance.
The study found no significant benefits in race time, time to exhaustion, or other performance-related outcomes.
Compression garments may offer some benefits in reducing soft tissue vibration during running.
The quality of evidence is low to very low, indicating a need for more high-quality research in this area.
Runners should consider personal comfort and individual experiences when deciding whether to use compression garments.
Reference
Wang, W., Wang, Y., Zhang, Y., Si, D., Li, X., Liang, Q., Li, Q., Huang, L., Wei, S., & Liu, Y. (2025). Do compression garments enhance running performance? An updated systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Sport and Health Science, 101028. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jshs.2025.101028