---
title: "The Effects of Intermittent Pneumatic Compression on…"
description: "Intermittent pneumatic compression offers only short-term relief for muscle soreness and does not effectively reduce overall exercise-induced muscle…"
url: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d33418535.md"
canonical: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d33418535.html"
html: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d33418535.html"
type: "study"
study_key: "d33418535"
journal: "J Sport Rehabil"
year: 2021
pmid: "33418535"
doi: "10.1123/jsr.2020-0364"
citations: 1
updated: 2026-09-02
author: "Gabriel Radu, DO"
author_credentials: "Physiatrist (PM&R). NY medical license 275110. NPI 1376861765."
publisher: "Magellan Longevity"
content_format: "markdown"
---

# The Effects of Intermittent Pneumatic Compression on Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage in Endurance Athletes

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## Citation

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Journal | J Sport Rehabil |
| Year | 2021 |
| PMID | [33418535](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33418535/) |
| DOI | [10.1123/jsr.2020-0364](https://doi.org/10.1123/jsr.2020-0364) |
| Study key | d33418535 |

## Takeaway

Intermittent pneumatic compression offers only short-term relief for muscle soreness and does not effectively reduce overall exercise-induced muscle damage in endurance athletes.

## The question

What are the effects of intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) on the reduction of exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD) in endurance athletes following prolonged exercise?

## Hypothesis

The hypothesis was not explicitly stated in the abstract, but the studies investigated whether IPC could reduce EIMD.

## Methods

A literature search was conducted to identify studies on the effects of IPC on EIMD. Three studies were selected: two randomized controlled trials and one randomized cross-over study. These studies investigated the effect of IPC on delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) and plasma creatine kinase (CK) in ultramarathoners, marathoners, triathletes, and cyclists.

## Results

All three selected studies concluded that intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) was not an effective method for improving the reduction of exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD) in endurance-trained athletes.

## Conclusion

Intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) may offer short-term relief for delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS), but it does not provide sustained relief from exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD).

## Limitations

The abstract does not explicitly state limitations of the reviewed studies beyond their findings regarding IPC's effectiveness.

## Verbatim from the abstract

> intermittent pneumatic compression may provide short-term relief of delayed onset muscle soreness

## Where this study is used on Magellan

This paper is one of the citations behind the evidence grade on the pages below. Grades are assigned from the published research and are independent of affiliate commissions.

| Compound or device | Evidence grade | Graded pages |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pneumatic Compression Recovery Boots | Emerging evidence | [Pneumatic Compression Recovery Boots](https://magellanlongevity.com/p/167.md) |

## Reference

1. **The Effects of Intermittent Pneumatic Compression on Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage in Endurance Athletes**
   J Sport Rehabil 2021 · [PMID 33418535](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33418535/) · [DOI 10.1123/jsr.2020-0364](https://doi.org/10.1123/jsr.2020-0364)

   > intermittent pneumatic compression may provide short-term relief of delayed onset muscle soreness

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## Related on Magellan Longevity

- [Pneumatic Compression Recovery Boots](https://magellanlongevity.com/p/167.md) — product graded on this and related evidence
- [Evidence: sequential limb compression](https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s167.md)
- [Effects of intermittent pneumatic compression on delayed onset muscle soreness and…](https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d40094188.md)
- [Longevity research map](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html)
- [Evidence-based longevity supplements](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-supplements.md)

## Scope and disclosures

Educational information, not medical advice. Nothing here is intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Talk to your physician before starting any supplement or device, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medication.

Editorial firewall: evidence grades are assigned from the published research and are independent of any affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate, Magellan Longevity earns from qualifying purchases.

Reviewed for accuracy by a board-certified physician (DO).