do compression socks work
A third study in May of 2009 only tested the effect of compression clothing on performance. They utilized a variety of garments including compression socks, tights and full body wear. There was no statistical effect on performance.
These socks, sleeves, shirts, and shorts act as a circulatory pump, pushing blood through the veins, a fact that some athletes think gives them an edge during competition. One study showed that runners wearing compression socks had a 1.5 to 2.2 percent increase in pace and could run 4 percent longer. That's about the difference between fourth place and Usain Bolt in the last Olympics. This is one small study, though, and similar performance boosts have yet to be re-created out of the lab.