Effect of Wearing a Compression Sock During Running on Muscle Soreness in Distance Runners.

Our primary aim is to explore the effect of compression socks during running on delayed onset muscle soreness after running. Our secondary aims are to explore the effects of compression socks during running on perceived recovery, perceived exertion, affective response, and heart rate after running. This is a randomised, double-blind, sham-controlled crossover trial. Forty-four participants will be recruited via social media, running clubs and the running coaches' network of the research team. Participants will be randomised to complete a running protocol under two conditions (compression socks or sham socks). After that, there will be a wash-out period of 7 to 10 days, and participants will repeat the running protocol under the other conditions. Primary outcome: lower limb muscle soreness will be collected, using a 0-100 numerical pain scale, immediately, 24 hours and 48 hours after the running protocol, with 24 hours post-protocol being the primary timepoint. Secondary outcomes: perceived recovery will be collected, using a 0-10 scale immediately, 24 hours and 48 hours after the running protocol. Perceived exertion, affective response, and heart rate will be registered only immediately after the protocol. Between-group differences will be explored using linear mixed models.