Sport and Art 2(2): 15-18, 2014 http://www.hrpub.org DOI: 10.13189/saj.2014.020201 Efficacy of Compression Socks to Enhance Recovery in Distance Athletes Lauran Fletcher 1 , Scot Raab 2 , Sonya Sanderson 1,* , Luke Vargo 1 1 Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education, Valdosta State University, Valdosta, 31698, GA, United States 2 Department of Physical Therapy and Athletic Training, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, 86011, AZ, United States *Corresponding Author: slsanderson@valdosta.edu Copyright © 2014 Horizon Research Publishing All rights reserved. Abstract The aim of the present study was to examine the effect graduated compression socks had on lower leg muscle swelling and soreness after a 2 hour (hr) run at a speed eliciting a heart rate (HR) 10-15% lower than their HR at lactate threshold established during a baseline assessment. Compression socks were worn during the run and for 8 hrs after the completion of the run. Baseline lower extremity (LE) volumes were measured using water displacement prior, immediately post and 24 hrs after the 2 hr run. Muscle discomfort was measured using an algometry prior to the 2 hr run and approximately 24 hrs after. Compression socks decreased LE volume measurements during and after long distance running in moderately trained distance runners but insignificantly. They also limited muscle soreness, but insignificantly. The results of this study support that compression stockings fail to enhance performance. Keywords Compression Socks, Compression Garments, Edema, Exercise 1. Introduction Compression garments have been used by patients suffering from poor circulation and lower extremity edema for over 300 years [1]. The increased external compression provided by the garments enhances extrastitial fluid return to the vascular system. A persistent accumulation of extrastitial fluid in the lower extremity increases pressure on free nerve endings causing pain, swelling, and may limit standing mobility. This condition is commonly referred to as peripheral edema [1]. While compression garments have been found to decrease edema, they have not been found to conclusively enhance the body’s ability to circulate blood or aid athletic performance [2]. Healthy individuals that participate in strenuous activities in prolonged upright postures may experience a similar type of edema known as Exercise Induced Edema[3]. Exercise induced edema may also produce lower extremity pain, swelling, and a subsequent decreased ability to train [3]. There are several sports clothing companies that have begun producing knee high compression garments that range in price from $40 to $80 [3]. Each of the sports companies make claims that their compression garments can aid athletic performance by improving circulation and blood flow, limiting exercise induced peripheral edema of the lower extremity, supplying muscles with more oxygen, enhancing lactic acid removal, or decreased muscle soreness during and post exercise [3]. Athletes from American football, soccer, rugby, and endurance athletes such as runners and cyclists, commonly use knee high compression garments [4]. These compression socks (CS) are supposed to apply graduated compression from the ankle to the knee. Their purported purpose is to reduce edema resulting in decreased muscle soreness and swelling both during and after exercise as well as improving performance and recovery. If athletes perceived that CS’s can decrease recovery time, increase abilities to train strenuously and possibly improve performance, athletes will use them to gain a competitive advantage. The problem is that the research evidence is inconclusive to support these outcomes being marketed to healthy active individuals. Recent research protocols assessed the outcome of donning CS in various methods; this randomized clinical trial will address problematic data collection issues adding reliability to the outcome of efficacy in CS use to enhance performance. A study assessing the physiological and perceptual responses of CS use during exercise compared participants wearing CS under knee high athletic socks or simply wearing knee high athletic socks. Participants served as their own controls and separated by three days completed the exercise regime in the other condition. There were no statistically significant differences reported in RPE, perceived soreness, heart rate, or performance between the groups [5]. An additional project measured blood lactate, oxygen uptake, heart rate, and muscle soreness immediately, 24 hrs, and 48 hrs after a 40 minute run in the conditions of low compression socks (12-15 mmHg) and high compression socks (23-32 mmHg). No statistically significant differences were reported [6]. Assessing the ability of CS to reduce edema, it’s been recorded that socks