Compression Garments Don't Boost Athletic Performance [news]

Contrary to what many athletes would like to think, a new study shows that compression garments have no effect on sports performance. Indiana University researchers found that lower leg compression sleeves don't affect a runner's oxygen consumption, which means there is no improvement in running economy or efficiency. Their study of 16 highly trained male distance runners also found that lower leg compression garments have no impact on running mechanics.

"Distance runners may try them out initially, because they see other runners using them with success. Since some runners are somewhat superstitious, they may continue using them if they happen to have a good race and attribute it to the compression," Abigail Laymon, a researcher in the kinesiology department at Indiana University, said in a news release.