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Do Sports Compression Garments Alter Measures of Peripheral Blood Flow? A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis

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Abstract

Background

One of the proposed mechanisms underlying the benefits of sports compression garments may be alterations in peripheral blood flow.

Objective

We aimed to determine if sports compression garments alter measures of peripheral blood flow at rest, as well as during, immediately after and in recovery from a physiological challenge (i.e. exercise or an orthostatic challenge).

Methods

We conducted a systematic literature search of databases including Scopus, SPORTDiscus and PubMed/MEDLINE. The criteria for inclusion of studies were: (1) original papers in English and a peer-reviewed journal; (2) assessed effect of compression garments on a measure of peripheral blood flow at rest and/or before, during or after a physiological challenge; (3) participants were healthy and without cardiovascular or metabolic disorders; and (4) a study population including athletes and physically active or healthy participants. The PEDro scale was used to assess the methodological quality of the included studies. A random-effects meta-analysis model was used. Changes in blood flow were quantified by standardised mean difference (SMD) [± 95% confidence interval (CI)].

Results

Of the 899 articles identified, 22 studies were included for the meta-analysis. The results indicated sports compression garments improve overall peripheral blood flow (SMD = 0.32, 95% CI 0.13, 0.51, p = 0.001), venous blood flow (SMD = 0.37, 95% CI 0.14, 0.60, p = 0.002) and arterial blood flow (SMD = 0.30, 95% CI 0.01, 0.59, p = 0.04). At rest, sports compression garments did not improve peripheral blood flow (SMD = 0.18, 95% CI − 0.02, 0.39, p = 0.08). However, subgroup analyses revealed sports compression garments enhance venous (SMD = 0.31 95% CI 0.02, 0.60, p = 0.03), but not arterial (SMD = 0.12, 95% CI − 0.16, 0.40, p = 0.16), blood flow. During a physiological challenge, peripheral blood flow was improved (SMD = 0.44, 95% CI 0.19, 0.69, p = 0.0007), with subgroup analyses revealing sports compression garments enhance venous (SMD = 0.48, 95% CI 0.11, 0.85, p = 0.01) and arterial blood flow (SMD = 0.44, 95% CI 0.03, 0.86, p = 0.04). At immediately after a physiological challenge, there were no changes in peripheral blood flow (SMD = − 0.04, 95% CI − 0.43, 0.34, p = 0.82) or subgroup analyses of venous (SMD = − 0.41, 95% CI − 1.32, 0.47, p = 0.35) and arterial (SMD = 0.12, 95% CI − 0.26, 0.51, p = 0.53) blood flow. In recovery, sports compression garments did not improve peripheral blood flow (SMD = 0.25, 95% CI − 0.45, 0.95, p = 0.49). The subgroup analyses showed enhanced venous (SMD = 0.67, 95% CI 0.17, 1.17, p = 0.009), but not arterial blood flow (SMD = 0.02, 95% CI − 1.06, 1.09, p = 0.98).

Conclusions

Use of sports compression garments enhances venous blood flow at rest, during and in recovery from, but not immediately after, a physiological challenge. Compression-induced changes in arterial blood flow were only evident during a physiological challenge.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute for Health and Sport (iHeS), Victoria University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia

    Shane F. O’Riordan, David J. Bishop & James R. Broatch

  2. Department of Physiology, Australian Institute of Sport, Canberra, ACT, Australia

    Shane F. O’Riordan

  3. School of Behavioural and Health Sciences, Australian Catholic University, McAuley at Banyo, Brisbane, QLD, Australia

    Shona L. Halson

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  1. Shane F. O’Riordan
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Correspondence to Shane F. O’Riordan.

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Funding

Shane F. O’Riordan, James R. Broatch, Shona L. Halson and David J. Bishop received a research grant from manufacturer 2XU (Melbourne, VIC, Australia), which also supported Shane F. O’Riordan and James R. Broatch.

Conflict of interest

2XU had no input in the collection and analysis of data, the writing of the manuscript or the decision to submit the article for publication. Shane F. O’Riordan, David J. Bishop, Shona L. Halson and James R. Broatch have no financial or other interest in the production and/or distribution of 2XU products, or any other potential conflicts of interest relevant to the content of this review.

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All data analysed and reported in this systematic review and meta-analysis are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Author contributions

SFO, JRB, SLH and DJB conceptualised the review and criteria. SFO and JRB completed the screening, data extraction and data analysis and drafted the manuscript. All authors reviewed, refined and approved the final manuscript.

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O’Riordan, S.F., Bishop, D.J., Halson, S.L. et al. Do Sports Compression Garments Alter Measures of Peripheral Blood Flow? A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis. Sports Med 53, 481–501 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-022-01774-0

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