The athletic world is always looking for the next best thing in performance enhancement. Some innovations thrive and some fall by the wayside.
Compression garments are one invention that have stuck around and remain popular. Are they actually as good as they are touted to be, though? We talk about the science behind them and whether or not they’ll help you run faster and farther with less pain afterward.
Tights that help you run faster?
Compression garments can be found in lots of stores, and they aren’t just for runners. All kinds of people, from world travelers to marathon runners to nurses to expectant mothers wear these specialized garments. But, what are they exactly?
A compression garment is any piece of clothing (sock, shirt, pants, etc.) that constricts the body. This constriction is supposed to:
- Enhance performance during running/exercising.
- Aid in recovery after running/exercising.
- Improve blood flow.
- Reduce swelling.
- Eliminate discomfort.
- Accelerate blood flow from certain areas to others, like the lower legs to the heart.
- Provide better oxygen flow to the muscles during and after exercise.
- Prevent injury by restricting certain types of body movement.
People usually choose compression garments for these reasons. They might also like the way they look or how they feel in them.
The science behind compression garments
Compression gear manufacturers usually tout their clothing as performance enhancers, capable of boosting the speed of recovery. This is because of the theory behind their function.
According to the theory, compressing the skin and underlying muscle will have a positive impact on athletic performance by increasing the flow of oxygen in the blood.
During exercise, your body needs oxygen to fuel cellular respiration. This is why you breathe in a lot more air while working out than doing your regular activities. This oxygen is carried by your bloodstream to your muscles to provide them with the energy they need to carry out the exercise.
Compression garments supposedly enhance performance because they are designed to help increase blood flow, which in turn, should increase oxygen supply. This improvement of blood flow is also the reason compression garments are sometimes prescribed for patients with varicose veins. These garments supposedly prevent the blood from pooling into their legs, so that it can flow to their heart and the rest of their body.
Do compression garments really work? What the science says
For claims as prevalent as what compression garments say they do, you would expect there to be lots of studies verifying and supporting them. However, the science isn’t quite conclusive yet.
Some studies conclude that there are benefits to wearing compression garments, like small to moderate effects in recovery of strength and power, while others say there are little to no benefits.
What does this mean? What about the people that swear by their compression garments for performance enhancement during exercise?
They may be enjoying some actual benefits (even if small) or just the positive psychological effects of believing the gear is working for them.
For those who continue to use compression gear, the effects are mostly positive. That mental belief may be the motivation they need to keep pushing toward their fitness goals and recover quicker from workouts.
What do you think?
Staying fit and healthy is always a goal to work toward, and compression garments might help. The theory is sound, but the science hasn’t been fully developed yet.
Do you wear compression garments while working out? Do you think they benefit your performance and recovery? Comment your thoughts below and share this article with someone who would find it interesting!
I use compression socks, knee high, because my veins are very bad. It is possible the socks prevent swelling. If my legs are swollen and I put on the socks the swelling is greatly reduced.