Compression Wear: The Jury is Still Out

Several months ago, someone asked me if I knew "what was up with all the knee-high, crazy-colored socks the kids are wearing." I knew the socks in question were compression socks. I also knew a little bit about compression wear, but in attempting to answer the question posed to me, I realized I didn't know was much as I thought. So I decided to dig a little. 

What I learned was, in short, that  precious little research has been conducted on the benefits of compression wear, and what studies have been done often yield conflicting results. For example, a study called “Lower Leg Compression Sleeves: Influence of Running Mechanics and Economy in Highly Trained Distance Runners” by Abigail Laymonm, et al. showed compression wear had no impact on running “economy, efficiency, or mechanics.” Granted, this study was conducted on elite athletes, so I wonder if  maybe compression wear would have more of an effect on recreational runners, but I am no expert.

In addition, the effects of lower leg compression sleeves on metabolic rate and gait varied greatly according to individual test subject.

There was, however, one common thread in all the articles I read: While the ability of compression wear to improve performance is in question, its ability to increase recovery speed seems to be largely agreed upon. Other benefits that compression wear may (or may not) yield are listed below.

Benefits

• Accelerates blood flow to increase oxygen to muscles
• Reduces build-up of lactic acid
• May allow athletes to exercise harder and longer
• Draws moisture away from body to help regulate body temp
• Can be made of anti-bacterial fabric to reduce body odor
• Is often black, a color that makes people look more slender
• After a workout, may make muscles look more toned, helping with motivation
• Worn after a workout, helps speed up recovery by decreasing muscle soreness; in fact, 2/3 of runners say compression wear helps reduce delayed onset muscle soreness  (DOMS)
• Provides support, reducing impact and decreasing muscle movement
• May help prevent injury

  

All in Your Head?

Some researchers believe that the benefits yielded by wearing compression gear may actually be psychological. In one study, athletes who had a positive perception of compression wear had less oxygen consumption and thus ran better. Regardless, even if the benefit is in your heard, a perk is a perk.

Selecting the Proper Compression Wear

Several articles I read emphasized the importance of selecting the proper compression gear. For a two-minute video on how to make the right choices, click here and scroll down a bit.

Sources

Coutts, Aaron and Katie Slattery. “Compression garments: Do they influence athletic performance and recovery?” ausport.gov.au. 2014. 12 March 2014. <http://www.ausport.gov.au/sportscoachmag/sports_sciences/compression_garments_do_they_influence_athletic_performance_and_recovery>.

Douglas, Scott. “Compression Gear Has ‘Moderate Effect’ on Muscle Damage.” Runnersworld.com. 12 June 2013. 12 March 2014. <http://www.runnersworld.com/running-apparel/compression-gear-has-moderate-effect-on-muscle-damage>.

Lobby, Mackenzie. “Compression Gear: Hype of Helpful?” Runnersworld.com. 10 December 2010. <http://www.runnersworld.com/running-apparel/compression-gear-hype-helpful>.

Scribner, Cari. “Compression clothing: What is it and what are its benefits?” healthylifect.com. 4 April 2011. 12 March 2014. <http://www.healthylifect.com/body/article/Compression-clothing-What-is-it-and-what-are-its-1310712.php#photo-818600>.