Effects of Compression Wear on Muscle Soreness

Effects of Compression Wear on Whole-body Electromyostimulation and Exercise-induced Muscle Soreness. A Randomized Controlled Trial.

The study address two main topics:

1. The effect of compression garment on whole-body electromyostimulation (WB-EMS) induced muscle soreness in young adults
2. The repeated bout effect of one intense session of WB-EMS as determined by various regeneration parameters

Using a cross-over design we applied 2 intense WB-EMS training sessions either with or without subsequent wearing of compression garments (long tights) for 5 days at baseline and after a washout period of 4 weeks. Healthy young to middle aged athletes used compression garments immediately postexercise for 24 hours and further 12 h during the day. Blood samples, questionnaires, resting metabolic rate and performance test were applied prior and 24, 48,72 and 96 h post-exercise consistently without wearing compression garments.

Inclusion Criteria:

• healthy athletes with >5 years of experience in competition balls sports and corresponding discipline specific resistance exercise

Exclusion Criteria:

• diseases and medication affecting muscle metabolism
• contraindication for WB-EMS