Article: Effects of compression garment application on running performance: a systematic review Journal: International Journal of Biomedical Engineering and Technology (IJBET) 2025 Vol.49 No.3 pp.263 - 278 Abstract: Despite the growing use of compression garments (CGs) in running, their effects on performance remain uncertain due to varied applications, diverse methodologies, and different types of CGs. This systematic review aims to synthesise existing literature, evaluating CGs' impact on running performance through biomechanical, physiological, perceptual, and fatigue-related outcomes. According to the PRISMA-P guideline for systematic reviews, a comprehensive search was conducted on the four online databases for the article published up to the December 2024, involving Google Scholar, Web of Science, PubMed, and SPORTD. The systematic review included 15 articles, with 11 focusing on professional runners and four on recreational runners, comprising 241 male and 45 female participants, of whom 157 males and 36 females were well-trained runners. This systematic review of 15 studies assessed the effects of CGs on running-related outcomes, including physiological responses, biomechanical factors, performance metrics, perceived sensations, and muscle fatigue. Physiological responses, examined in ten studies, showed inconsistent evidence of CGs benefits in long-distance or short-term running. Biomechanical factors and performance remained largely unchanged across CGs types, pressures, and runner experience levels. While CGs reduced delayed onset muscle soreness, these garments had limited impact on running fatigue. Inderscience Publishers - linking academia, business and industry through research

Title: Effects of compression garment application on running performance: a systematic review

Authors: Xieyi Xu

Addresses: Fashion Performance and Communication Program Fine Art School, Zhejiang Fashion Institute of Technology, No. 495 Fenghua Road, Jiangbei District, Ningbo City, Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang, China

Abstract: Despite the growing use of compression garments (CGs) in running, their effects on performance remain uncertain due to varied applications, diverse methodologies, and different types of CGs. This systematic review aims to synthesise existing literature, evaluating CGs' impact on running performance through biomechanical, physiological, perceptual, and fatigue-related outcomes. According to the PRISMA-P guideline for systematic reviews, a comprehensive search was conducted on the four online databases for the article published up to the December 2024, involving Google Scholar, Web of Science, PubMed, and SPORTD. The systematic review included 15 articles, with 11 focusing on professional runners and four on recreational runners, comprising 241 male and 45 female participants, of whom 157 males and 36 females were well-trained runners. This systematic review of 15 studies assessed the effects of CGs on running-related outcomes, including physiological responses, biomechanical factors, performance metrics, perceived sensations, and muscle fatigue. Physiological responses, examined in ten studies, showed inconsistent evidence of CGs benefits in long-distance or short-term running. Biomechanical factors and performance remained largely unchanged across CGs types, pressures, and runner experience levels. While CGs reduced delayed onset muscle soreness, these garments had limited impact on running fatigue.

Keywords: compression garment; running economy; muscle soreness; physiological response; running biomechanics.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBET.2025.150083

International Journal of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, 2025 Vol.49 No.3, pp.263 - 278

Received: 07 Apr 2025
Accepted: 20 May 2025
Published online: 28 Nov 2025 *

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Title: Effects of compression garment application on running performance: a systematic review

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