Wearing compression tights post-exercise enhances recovery hemodynamics and subsequent cycling performance

To investigate sports compression garment (CG)-induced recovery hemodynamics and their potential impact on subsequent cycling performance.

In a randomized crossover design, 13 physically active men (20.9 ± 1.4 years; 65.9 ± 7.8 kg; 173.3 ± 4.8 cm; peak power output 254.2 ± 27.2 W) underwent 2 experimental trials. During each experimental trial, the subjects performed 20-min fatiguing preload cycling followed by 60-min passive recovery wearing either a sports CG (28.6 ± 9.4 mmHg) or gymnastic pants (CON). A 5-min all-out cycling performance test was subsequently conducted and power output and cadence were recorded. Cardiac output (CO) and stroke volume (SV) were measured using Doppler ultrasound (USCOM®). Heart rate (HR), blood lactate [BLa^-], ratings of perceived exertion (RPE), leg muscle soreness (LMS), mean arterial pressure (MAP) and systemic vascular resistance (SVR) were monitored at 5, 15, 30, 45, 60 min during passive recovery.

During the subsequent 5-min all-out cycling performance test, power output (215.2 ± 24.0 vs. 210.8 ± 21.5 W, CG vs. CON) and cadence (72.5 ± 3.8 vs. 71.2 ± 4.8 rpm, CG vs. CON) were higher in CG than CON (P < 0.05). SV was higher at 15, 30 and 45 min (P < 0.05), CO was higher at 5 and 45 min (P < 0.05), HR was lower at 15 and 30 min (P < 0.05) and [BLa^-] was lower at 5 and 15 min (P < 0.05) during passive recovery, while LMS was lower at all time-points (P < 0.05) compared with CON.

Sports CG improves subsequent cycling performance by enhancing hemodynamic responses and attenuating perceived muscle soreness during passive recovery in physically active men.