Compression Garments and Adaptations to Plyometric Training in Soccer Players: A Randomized-Controlled Study

The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of the chronic use of compression garments (CG) during a 6-week plyometric microcycle training block on training adaptations in soccer players. It was hypothesized that CG would have a beneficial effect on training adaptations, compared with placebo (PLA). Eighteen male soccer players (19.54 ± 1.39 years; 180.45 ± 5.25 cm; 71.14 ± 6.73 kg) from a reserve team of an elite professional club were randomly assigned to receive either CG or PLA for 24 hours after each plyometric session. The players participated in a plyometric training program: 2 sessions per week for 6 weeks. In a fully rested state, the players were tested before and after the training program on the following parameters: countermovement jump performance, One-leg sprint power, knee extensor strength, pennation angle of the calf muscles, creatine kinase levels, and perceived muscle soreness. The results were analyzed using a 2-factor mixed linear model. Countermovement jump performance showed a moderate, significant improvement in the CG group ( d = 0.762), and a small, nonsignificant improvement in the PLA group ( d = 0.344). One-leg power performance showed a large, significant improvement in the CG group ( d = 1.690) and in the PLA group ( d = 0.867). The results of this study show that the chronic use of CG for recovery does not negatively affect training adaptations and may improve power following a plyometric training program.