Abstract Intense physical activity can increase oxidative stress and muscle damage in, causing fatigue and injury. Graduated compression stockings (GCS) can decrease these deleterious effects. The aim was to determine the acute effects of GCS on muscle damage and oxidative stress (OS) in garbage collectors. Thirteen garbage collectors, 25.4±5.2 years, participated using GCS or placebo stockings. Blood samples were collected at pre and post a working day and after 16 hours of rest. Markers of OS and muscle damage were evaluated. Two-way ANOVA (two conditions and two moments) was used for the analysis of the outcomes No significant differences were found for creatine kinase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase between the time and groups. There was a significant difference for the total thiol content and superoxide dismutase only in the control group (pre and post, p = 0.004). The use of GCS exerted acute protection against the increase of markers of OS, but did not contribute to attenuate muscle damage.