Graduated compression stockings for runners: friend, foe, or fake?

OBJECTIVE To assess the effect of graduated compression stockings (GCS) on lower leg volume and leg complaints in runners during and after exercise. DESIGN Cross-sectional study. SETTING Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre and an outdoor running track in Nijmegen, The Netherlands. PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS Thirteen Dutch trained recreational runners. INTERVENTION(S) Participants used a GCS on 1 leg during running. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES (1) Lower leg volume of both legs was measured at baseline, directly after running, and at 5 minutes and 30 minutes after running using a validated perometer. (2) Leg complaints were reported on questionnaires at set intervals. RESULTS (1) In both experiments, the legs with GCS showed a reduction in mean (± SEM) leg volume directly after running, as compared with the leg without GCS: -14.1 ± 7.6 mL (P = .04) for the 10-km running track and -53.5 ± 17.8 mL (P = .03) for the maximum exercise test. This effect was not observed at 5 and 30 minutes after running. (2) No differences in leg complaints were reported in either experiment. CONCLUSIONS The GCS prevented an increase in leg volume just after the running exercise. However, this result was not accompanied by a reduction in subjective questionnaire-reported leg complaints. The practical consequences of the present findings need further study.