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Compression
Recovery · Emerging evidence
Evidence
38
Impact
18
Compression garments for exercise recovery, with consistent but modest effects on soreness and perceived recovery.
- Studies
- 4
- RCTs
- 0
- Meta-analyses
- 4
Research summary
- A 2017 meta-analysis and an independent 2016 systematic review with meta-analysis both find compression garments modestly reduce muscle soreness and improve perceived recovery after exercise-induced muscle damage, though effects on objective performance measures like strength are smaller and less consistent.
- A 2022 systematic review and meta-analyses focused specifically on whether compression garments reduce exercise-induced strength loss found supportive but modest evidence.
- A broader review of post-competition recovery strategies in elite soccer players situates compression garments as one of several modestly helpful tools rather than a standout intervention.
- As with several other passive recovery aids in this category, the evidence supports a real, low-risk, modest benefit rather than a dramatic recovery effect.
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