Effect of Wearing a Compression Sock During Running on Muscle Soreness in Distance Runners.

Effect of Wearing a Compression Sock During Running on Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness in Distance Runners: A Randomised, Double-blind, Sham-controlled, Crossover Trial.

Running is the most popular physical activity worldwide. Although running provides many health benefits, it is often associated with injuries and symptoms such as delayed onset muscle soreness. There is still a paucity of interventions that can effectively minimise these symptoms in distance runners.

Our primary aim is to explore the effect of compression socks during running on delayed onset muscle soreness after running. Our secondary aims are to explore the effects of compression socks during running on perceived recovery, perceived exertion, affective response, and heart rate after running. This is a randomised, double-blind, sham-controlled crossover trial. Forty-four participants will be recruited via social media, running clubs and the running coaches' network of the research team. Participants will be randomised to complete a running protocol under two conditions (compression socks or sham socks). After that, there will be a wash-out period of 7 to 10 days, and participants will repeat the running protocol under the other conditions. Primary outcome: lower limb muscle soreness will be collected, using a 0-100 numerical pain scale, immediately, 24 hours and 48 hours after the running protocol, with 24 hours post-protocol being the primary timepoint. Secondary outcomes: perceived recovery will be collected, using a 0-10 scale immediately, 24 hours and 48 hours after the running protocol. Perceived exertion, affective response, and heart rate will be registered only immediately after the protocol. Between-group differences will be explored using linear mixed models.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Run consistently in the last six months (at least three times a week and at least 10 kilometres per week);
• Runners who did not run further than 42 kilometres in the last month.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Pregnancy;
• Any lower limbs fracture in the last 12 months;
• History of lower limb arthroplasty or osteotomy, previous venous thrombosis, kidney disease;
• Any running-related injury in the last six months. A running-related injury will be considered the presence of lower limb pain that caused restriction, stoppage of running (distance, speed, duration, or training) for at least seven days or three consecutive scheduled training sessions or the need for a health professional treatment