Are compression socks/tights just the tri fad du jour, or do they have a noticeable/quantifiable impact for someone who’s a faster age grouper (i.e. someone who doesn’t get them for free and 1% perf improvement isn’t worth $$$$$)?
What $$$$$$?
They are not that expensive to start with and personally I liked the tights and calf socks. They don’t make me fast but help with muscle recovery.
the benefits are more for recovery than race use, though the principle of the benefit is the same in both cases.
compression clothing is like stitches on a laceration. you need to get the skin tightly apposed otherwise it will heal poorly. Compression clothing keeps the muscle fibres tightly apposed so they repair faster.
I like my compression shorts cuz they hold me in place very well
jaretj
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The socks work great for recovery. I have 2 pair if I dont wear a pair while on a run or ride I put them on afterwards to help relive cramping. I think they are well worth it.
that makes absoultely no sense.
I like my compression shorts cuz they hold me in place very well
jaretj
Ditto, they keep things in check very nicely
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it’s as lay as possible for me to make it i’m afraid. hopefully someone else will be able to simplify it more for you.
I think they’re just one of the latest tri fads. Over 25 years of running and doing tris, I have seen many ‘latest and greatest’ inventions come and go. The older I get the more I keep going back old school.
I haven’t run in them but have found that wearing the compression socks after a hard run has dramatically reduced my recovery time and muscle soreness. I bought a pair of compression dress socks at Walgreens for $13. 20-30 mg pressure. I think for such a low cost they are worth a try.
Just keeping my eyes open for a study.
x2
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Compression clothing for the 2008 athlete is expected to reach a billion dollars in sales. For years, professional athletes have been wearing true compression clothing that was custom made for them and their sports. But recently, this trend has filtered down to the elite and age group amateur athlete–particularly those engaged in endurance sports–and for good reason.
Compression clothing enhances circulation by promoting venous return, resulting in improved cardiac output. In other words, energy cost is less to produce more–an endurance athlete’s key to lower race times. In 2006, a study published in the International Journal of Sports Medicine by A. Bringard, S. Perrey and N. Belluye, compared the aerobic energy cost during submaximal (80% of V02 Max) running between athletes wearing compression tights and those wearing elastic tights or conventional, loose running shorts. The conclusion was that wearing compression tights during running could enhance overall circulation and decrease muscle oscillation to promote a lower energy expenditure at a submaximal speed. Studies have proven for years that wearing compression contributes to more power output in short, explosive movements, but this was one of the first studies done on compression and aerobic exercise.
Other benefits of compression garments include: heightened proprioception, improved targeted muscle alignment (resulting in greater muscular stamina and endurance) and improved muscular recovery. In some brands, the material used wicks away any wetness and keeps you drier, helping to regulate core temperature.
Compression garments for athletes shouldn’t only be worn during training and racing, but also when traveling on planes or in cars for distances that take just a couple of hours or more. Wearing compression garments under street clothes while en route will allow the athlete to arrive at the race site with fresh, well circulated legs.
Because compression athletic wear has become such a hot commodity, there are many brands that market themselves as compression, but, in reality, are just snug-fitting apparel that give “the feel” of compression. The best products will be seamless with a one-piece panel that has variable compression areas sewn into it for exact support where science and technology has proven the body needs it. Because this is such a highly specialized garment, quality control is a top priority and there is one line on the market manufacturing the product in Canada, not China.
Something I read… Not my opinion. I have not used compression clothing, but was thinking about trying it…
Reference:
A. Bringard, S. Perrey, N. Belluye (2006). Aerobic Energy Cost and Sensation Responses During Submaximal Running Exercise - Positive Effects of Wearing Compression Tights, Intl. J. Sports Med., 27, 373-378.
IMO, not a great study (2 studies, with 2 different sets of subjects (n=6 for both), portable VO2 analyzer, running on 200m track, not a treadmill, and different ambient temperatures for the studies (~23C and ~31C)). Study 1 showed that oxygen consumption (VO2) while running at 12km/hr was reduced with compression tights OR “elastic tights” (80% polyester, 20% elasthan). No difference in VO2 at 10, 14 or 16 km/hr, and no differences in HR or VE at all four intensities. The statistical power was low (0.54) at 12km/hr, likely due to the small sample size…stats is not my strong suit, but I remember the bare minimum in our lab being 0.80, or we didn’t publish. Maybe others with more expertise can comment. Note that the compression tights were not different from the elastic tights at any speed.
At VO2max, there were no differences between shorts, elastic tights, or compression tights in terms of VO2, VE, or HR.
study 2: the second test wasn’t one I’m really familiar with (again, maybe others can comment) - the authors measured the VO2 slow component - basically they compared the difference between VO2 at t=2mins and VO2 at t=15mins during a 15min run at 80% VO2max. The compression tights had the smallest difference in the increase in oxygen consumption between 2min and 15mins of the run (36% lower than shorts, power=0.79). Don’t confuse that result with concluding that the compression tights had the lowest oxygen consumption at the end of the test - the authors don’t say that, and they don’t provide the VO2 data.
anyways, the results don’t appear to be as stunning as initially presented in this thread.
some other comments:
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the authors noted no difference in thermal stress (perceived) or sweat loss between shorts, elastic tights or compression tights
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the authors note other studies which hypothesize that the tights improve circulation, or reduce muscle oscillation, etc., but they don’t expand on these ideas, and they don’t claim to have proven these hypotheses in their study
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other studies have found higher power and improved proprioception (arms I believe) with compression garments
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I haven’t seen anything proving improved muscle alignment with compression socks/tights
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2 studies I’ve read on recovery (wearing compression socks during and after maximal exercise) - 1 study found improved lactate recovery (ie. lower blood lactate values), and 1 study employed the identical protocol and found no difference. The study that did show reduced blood lactate suggested that the compression socks promoted retention of lactate in the muscle bed, instead of permitting lactate to enter the circulation.
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compression socks are recommended for air travel (or long periods of sitting) for individuals with poor circulation
Regarding real vs. fake compression garments, the cited study doesn’t provide a compelling reason to opt for the more expensive products. At the very least, I would recommend visiting a drug store or medical supply store and picking up a pair of socks that are typically worn by the elderly - they’ll do the job at a fraction of the price.
Compression shorts have been worn by doughy/fat guys for years. Prevents what we call “Chub Rub” Although I have no idea if I’ve actually benefitted from wearing them.
Jason
I believe they really do work. Recovery time is one of the biggest limiters for triathlon and cycling, maybe the biggest. I really believe these things do help you recover better. During stage races when we’re not in our kits we’re in compression clothing. The difference between a win and a loss can be very small so for me I’d say it’s worth it.
Also keep in mind that when you put these things on, you cant just pull them on like a pair of jeans, you really have to be careful and work them up your legs, almost like a wetsuit but even more delicate.
I don’t think your explanation is right. I think the benefits are due to improved venous return, decreased interstitial fluid, and possibly decreased pressure in the muscular compartments of the leg.
I have a pair of the Skins tights and also the CW-X Stabilyx tight. The skins are marketed as 100% focused compression, and the CW-X are stability and compression. Both tights have given me much fresher legs after working out, than in the past. I first queried 2XU on their claims for their tights and got no answer. I then talked to the folks at the specialty running store I shop at and bought the tights as a trial. I have also worn the tights on runs and rides of varying lengths, but do not notice a difference in performance; just the recovery. Skins claims 37% less lactic acid production while working out.
I like my compression shorts cuz they hold me in place very well
jaretj
I love my compression shorts (2xu). but have the opposite experience. for some reason, the legs are super tight, but the area around my junk is super loose. There’s way more movement going on down there than I’m used to.
That said, last year was my first year with compression shorts (I wore them for all my long runs and races) and it was the first year in a long time that I didn’t have any hamstring issues. Could be pure coincidence. But i’m knocking on wood and wearing my compression shorts.
37% less huh… thats quite a claim. ANything to back that up by them?