Effects of intermittent pneumatic compression method on muscle pain, soreness, and recovery after exercise: a systematic review with meta-analysis

Introduction: Athletes generally seek alternatives for muscle recovery after exercise in order to alleviate the resulting pain and accelerate muscle recovery. One of the commonly used procedures is the intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) method. Objective: Analyze the effects of IPC on muscle pain and physical recovery after fatigue. Methods: A systematic review with meta-analysis registered in the PROSPERO platform (CRD42024530298) was conducted, following the PRISMA guidelines, using the PICOS approach. Eligible studies focused on individuals who used IPC as an intervention method and its effects on the components of physical conditioning and recovery. Quality, certainty of evidence, and completeness of descriptions were assessed using different tools. Results: 10 articles met the eligibility criteria. Meta-analysis data showed that interventions through IPC had a significant effect in favor of the experimental group in the outcome flexibility (SMD = -0.30; CI = 95%; -0.56 to -0.05), subjective perception of recovery (SMD = -0.22; CI = 95%; -0.40 to -0.05) and delayed onset muscle soreness (SMD = – 0.34; CI = 95%; -0.51 to -0.17). Conclusion: IPC can become a superior option to passive recovery. In turn, the meta-analysis suggested a beneficial effect of IPC on flexibility, PSR, and DOMS after intervention.