Indications for Forearm Compression
Forearm compression garments are primarily worn to reduce perceived muscle soreness and pain following exercise, improve proprioception and joint repositioning sense, and manage lymphedema in the upper extremity. 1
Athletic and Exercise-Related Uses
Post-Exercise Recovery
- Compression garments most consistently reduce perceived muscle soreness and pain in the days following exercise, though they do not substantially alter actual muscle damage markers or swelling. 1
- The perceptual benefits appear to be the strongest evidence-based rationale for athletic use, even when objective performance metrics remain unchanged. 1
Proprioception Enhancement
- Compression on the forearms and upper extremities may improve joint proprioception and repositioning sense by enhancing sensory feedback and filtering non-specific sensory information. 2
- This occurs through improved filtering of sensory input, which may benefit activities requiring precise arm positioning and control. 1, 2
Thermoregulation
- Compression garments increase skin temperature at the point of coverage, which may be beneficial when exercising in cold environments for heat maintenance. 1
- However, a critical caveat: in hot temperatures (40°C), upper-body compression can increase respiratory strain, which may negatively impact recovery. 1
Performance Considerations
- The evidence shows compression garments are highly unlikely to harm performance (~1% of studies show detrimental effects), though they also rarely provide substantial ergogenic benefits. 1
- Muscle oscillatory properties are reduced with compression, though the metabolic implications remain unclear. 1
Medical/Therapeutic Uses
Lymphedema Management
- Compression sleeves are essential for managing breast cancer-related lymphedema affecting the arm and forearm. 3
- Early intervention with compression garments (class 1 compression) prevents progression in mild lymphedema, with only 16% showing progression compared to 57% without compression at 6 months. 4
- Compression reduces limb volume and improves quality of life in patients with established lymphedema. 5, 6
Practical Considerations
When Compression May Be Most Beneficial
- Following exercise that causes significant muscle soreness (though the specific exercise types that benefit most remain unclear). 1
- In cold environmental conditions during or after exercise for thermal benefits. 1
- For documented lymphedema in the upper extremity, where compression is a cornerstone of treatment. 3, 4
Important Caveats
- Individual belief in compression effectiveness significantly influences outcomes—the placebo effect is substantial. 1
- Avoid upper-body compression in hot environments due to increased respiratory strain. 1
- Most research focuses on lower body compression (>80%), so forearm-specific evidence is more limited. 1
- Cardiovascular, cardiorespiratory, and actual muscle damage markers are largely unchanged by compression despite perceptual benefits. 1