Learn how compression garments work for long and grueling workouts and how they compare to regular garments. If a person is forced to be on his feet for a long time during work or preparations are underway for competitions, then the load on the blood vessels increases dramatically. If there is a genetic predisposition to varicose veins or edema, then you can facilitate their work by wearing compression underwear. Today we will tell you in detail why athletes need compression underwear.
How Compression Garments Work
Today, a large assortment of compression garments is produced. Its name comes from the word "compression", which means compression or pressure. Thus, compression clothing with varying degrees of compression affects the limbs and, accordingly, the vessels, making it easier for them to work.
When the blood moves upward, it needs to overcome the force of gravity, and the vessels are equipped with special valves. During normal functioning of the body, no problems arise, and portions of blood gradually rise and do not accumulate. This eliminates the risks of bloating and even blood clots.
A different situation is observed when the body is exposed to physical exertion, since the vessels can lose their shape, and the work of the valves is disrupted. This increases the load on the heart muscle and contributes to the development of an ailment such as thrombosis. Everything allows you to answer the question - why do athletes need compression underwear? Normal operation of blood vessels, even those with damage, is ensured. Try to stand at work all day in special socks, and everything will become clear.
Manufacturers of compression clothing, when creating their products, make special calculations so that the compression ratio decreases from bottom to top. It is quite logical to assume that the lower the blood is in the body, the more difficult it is for it to rise. Specific standards have been developed specifically for compression garments. For example, in European countries it is RAL-GZ 387. Clothes that meet the requirements of this standard have a tag indicating it.
Compression clothing and medicine
Compression is actively used in medicine. All such clothing is classified into four classes. Anyone can safely use only the clothes of the first, and to wear the remaining three, you need to consult a doctor. Class 1 underwear can be purchased at the pharmacy and medical professionals recommend it for use by those people who have found spider veins, swollen veins or edema on their bodies.
Do not use other classes of underwear without medical advice, although they will probably not be sold to you without a prescription. No one wants to take responsibility for the health of another person. If we talk about ailments for which compression underwear is recommended, then these are atherosclerosis, orthoarthritis, thrombangiitis obliterans and endoarthritis.
Can a compression garment make an athlete go faster?
We answered the question why athletes need compression underwear. However, many will probably want to know if it can affect athletic performance? If we analyze the information about the compression available on the network, then this is exactly the feeling arises.
We are promised to support muscles, preserve and even return energy during muscle work, etc. Employees of the University of the British city of Newcastle conducted a special study on this topic. Scientists have found that underwear for the lower extremities can reduce the frequency of contractions of the heart muscle and increase blood flow to the muscles while running.
In theory, this should support the assumption that compression leggings (stockings) can increase performance. However, in practice, there is no clear confirmation of the ability of compression garments to accelerate a runner. Probably, the reason for this lies in the insignificant advantages that are simply lost among the statistical error.
For many years, scientists have continued to argue about the effect of compression underwear on athletes' athletic performance. But the ability of the compression machine to reduce the average heart rate has scientific confirmation. In the course of the experiment, when using this type of clothing in comparison with the usual one, the average heart rate of the subjects was two or three beats less.
Also, there is no doubt about the comfort created by compression and its positive effect on health. Scientists from the University of Auckland have shown that after running at high intensity for a distance of ten kilometers, the use of special socks helped reduce pain.
Another interesting experiment was carried out at the University of Exeter. Scientists decided to find out the effect of compression garments on the speed of recovery processes. For this, the subjects performed three forceful movements that cause pain. The use of a compression device helped to reduce pain. There is other evidence for the benefits of compression garments, but it should be used correctly.
When should athletes wear compression garments?
This is definitely worth doing with prolonged vigorous physical exertion. If you have the first symptoms of varicose veins or have a genetic predisposition to this disease, then definitely wear compression underwear. If you are a lover of running or cycling, then in this case this type of clothing will not be superfluous.
In addition, you can pay attention to specially designed underwear to accelerate recovery after heavy physical exertion. All leading brands have it in stock. We have already said that there is scientific evidence confirming the ability of the compression machine to accelerate regenerative processes.
But you cannot use such underwear all the time. The positive effects in large quantities can become negative. With such an "overdose", you can easily harm the body. First of all, we are talking about the tone of the blood vessels. If you constantly help them, they will "relax" and will no longer be able to function normally without compression underwear. When choosing clothes, carefully read all the recommendations of the manufacturers.
Benefits of compression garments for athletes
Although we have already understood why athletes need compression underwear, a conversation about it would be incomplete without indicating the main advantages:
- Improves blood flow - due to the compression of the body during physical exertion, it is possible to maintain normal blood circulation.
- A remedy for the prevention of varicose veins - today this ailment is widespread and most often women suffer from it.
- Recovery after training is accelerated - it's all about the normalization of blood flow, which allows you to quickly deliver nutrients to muscle tissue.
- Reduces the risk of injury - the garment is tight on the body and the joints and muscles are supported.
- Prevention of the appearance of corns - Compression clothing resembles a second skin and does not form folds, which are most often the cause of calluses.
How to choose the right compression garment for athletes?
Now we will give some useful tips for choosing a compression garment.
- Decide on the purpose of using it. It is important to remember that there are two types of compression: for physical exertion, and also to accelerate recovery processes. This suggests that such underwear produces different pressure on the body. If you plan to purchase clothing for training, then you need to take measurements on the calf muscles. Otherwise, measure your ankle.
- Measure your body. Compression underwear is significantly different from the usual and has a different size grid. Moreover, almost every well-known manufacturer uses its own size scale. There are special tables with the help of which it is necessary to produce the appropriate sizes in order to choose the right clothes. In addition, remember that muscle volumes gradually increase and control measurements should be taken periodically.
- Don't be afraid of tight clothing. The compression strap must fit the body tightly, otherwise it loses all its advantages. It is quite obvious that putting on such underwear will not be easy. If you experience discomfort while wearing clothes, you should try a size larger underwear.
- Decide on the type of loads. In fact, in this case, you have to make a choice between golfs and gaiters. Knee-highs are more functional clothing, but socks can be used for swimming or yoga. Today on the market you can easily find knee-highs designed specifically for a specific sport.
- The quality of the linen. It is worth focusing on seamless clothing in the shin area. Only in this case you can get the desired result. In this case, in the toe area, the seams should be flat, and at the edges - a soft elastic band.
How to wear compression garments for an athlete?
You will probably have to practice in this business, but it is definitely worth it. It will take you some time to learn how to do without assistance. If nothing comes out at all, you can purchase a special device. You can find it in the same place where the compression device itself was purchased.
Do not forget to read the instructions first, because the manufacturers specially created it to make your life easier. It is safe to say that it is the manufacturer's recommendations that are the most accurate. The easiest way to deal with shorts. To begin with, stick your legs in them up to the knee joint, and then gently begin to pull them higher, holding the compression part.
To put on leggings or knee-highs, remember how you tuck the blanket into the duvet cover. The first step is to turn the laundry inside out and put it on your fingers. Then gradually spread the knee socks up. A similar technology is used for leggings. First, they should be pulled up to the waist (the easiest way is lying), and then pulled higher.
In conclusion, I would like to say that the CEP compression underwear is quite popular. The assortment includes all types of underwear, from socks to T-shirts. Reviews about this clothing are positive. Of course, beginners always talk about problems when putting on, but they cannot be avoided in any case.
However, when this stage is left behind, the CEP products leave only pleasant impressions. We cannot guarantee that the underwear of this manufacturer will suit everyone, without exception. Some athletes prefer to use the products of one company and there is no point in discouraging them. It is only important that you do not feel discomfort during the training.
For more on what compression garments are and why you need them, see below:
