Compression Wear is the new black

Compression wear has been around for a while now and is becoming increasingly popular amongst runners as a way of speeding up recovery and enhancing their running performance overall.

Of course talk of compression wear is much more than just various high and mighty claims. The manufacturers of the better compression garments for sporting performance and speedier recovery have undertaken studies and collated various scientific tests which provide published evidence of their value, rather than just them being considered a fad or a fashion.

Skins™ compression wear studies show that their compression clothing:

• Increases venous return by 31%
• Reduces post-exercise muscle soreness
• Provides faster removal of lactic acid in the muscles
• Increases time to exhaustion by 30%
• Increases strength and power by 10%
• Improves endurance by 15%
• Enhances body temperature control
• Decreases flight leg Oedema

Recovery Compression Wear

Recovery compression wear is actually quite a simple idea to aid blood flow. Increased exercise or running triggers the heart to pump more blood down to the legs (and elsewhere of course), and compression wear (recovery compression socks, recovery tights etc) is designed to help pump blood back to the heart. Continued circulation post activity or even increased blood circulation assists with the removal of waste material and toxins that would otherwise build up and hinder this recovery.

Performance Enhancing Compression Wear

Some runners wear compression garments during sport to enhance performance. They work towards reducing any inefficient movement and vibration of muscles; and of course assisting with blood flow during activity, as within the recovery phase. Compression socks are becoming a common sight at running clubs and running events, and are worn to help the calf muscles in action. In many cases some runners have taken to full length compression tights to work on the lower limbs and body as a whole. Compression shorts can be worn on their own or even underneath regular running shorts, focusing their compressive assistance onto the glutes, hamstrings, quadriceps and lower back. Short and long sleeved compression tops work to maintain temperature either shielding from the elements to keep warm, managing moisture to keep cool and can assist shoulder, back and arm muscles to provide the same muscle movement and vibration reduction. Posture can also be encouraged. Smaller and area specific garments (power calf covers or arm warmers) have also been developed to work on specific areas which could feasibly be quickly removed during a run or competition and as the need arises.

Compression wear for injury protection

The third category for compression garments in running is for the runner with a niggling/ongoing muscle concern. A particular weakness that the low level assurance of compression around the area brings can be helped physically as well as psychologically. A simple elasticated bandage could be considered in the wider terminology of compression wear in this case; if these low levels niggles (in the knee or calf for example) feel better by wearing something tight around them then the runner can feel more assured or confident whilst running and this could then be deemed to be a good thing. There are a whole host of supports and braces which offer compression and/or heat retention as their intended properties; although it would be wise to carefully consider the injury and options available before resorting to the use of any of these before doing so. Certainly in the case of an actual support or brace some research on the injury, asking fellow runners at the running club or seeking professional advice would be advisable. Unnecessary wearing of supports could feasibly weaken a muscle. More general use of compression garments for injury protection would be the compression half tights for the runner who is prone to the odd twinge in the hamstring or hip flexor; or the runner/athlete who has the tendency to ache in the shoulders during longer distance events wearing a long or short sleeved compression top bolstering muscles in these areas for the duration of the run, for example.

Compression Tights and Socks

Compression wear utilises a new generation of fabric weaves together with a graduated compression fit. The graduated compression of the tight is fundamental to remove the waste by-products which the body produces during sport. The tight then assists to push/encourage the blood from the ankle towards the heart for an increased performance or recovery. Flat-knitted and body contoured seams are cut to ensure ultimate fit and of course comfort. The legs are allowed to breath via the choice of weave as well with added ventilation areas for even greater comfort. These woven mixes also actively manage moisture to carry any perspiration to the outer edges of the garment so that the runner remains dry next to the skin and the sweat produced is more easily evaporated away from the outer edges.

Compression Shorts

Compression Shorts aka Skins™ Half Tights combine a higher technical weave construction and a revolutionary circular knit high gauge composition. The main benefit is to aid blood flow towards the heart and also give extra support to thigh, hamstring and gluteus muscle groups to promote better performance and low level protection from potential injury. Flat-knitted and body contoured seams are used to ensure comfort and fit whilst the legs are allowed to breath via the choice of weaves including again added ventilation areas/patches for further increased comfort. These woven mixes also actively manage moisture to carry any perspiration to the outer surfaces of the shorts so that the runner remains dry, any chafing is minimised and the perspiration is more easily evaporated away at the surfaces layers.

Compression Long/Short Sleeve Tees

The long sleeve top is made from a combined highly technical weave together with a revolutionary circular knit high gauge construction. The graduation of the top is fundamental to remove the waste products produced during exercise which can lead to fatigue when running. Flat-knitted and body contoured seams are used to ensure comfort and optimum fit whilst incorporating mesh panels at key sweat zones and a breathable fabric element for the greater comfort of the runner. These fabric mixes actively manage perspiration by carrying it to the outer surfaces so that it remains dry next to the skin and is more easily evaporated away at the outer facing position.

As a conclusion; wearing compression garments for performance, comfort, reassurance, protection and recovery is a personal preference and ultimately choice to the runner. What works for one person may not necessarily work for another. Changes from wearing such items may not be immediately or ever at all noticeable. Some differences will stick out more than others. Many professional runners/athletes work on a minimal gains outlook; given all parameters from even the basics such as comfort adding to the desired effect of eeking out just that little bit more speed, that little bit more in reserve, just that little bit performance, just that little bit more recovery, just that little bit more than your rival or your battle with yourself and the clock!

Published Skins™ facts:

• Increase venous returns by 31% - Skins™ have scientifically shown to increase venous return by 31%. This increases oxygen delivery to working muscles helping the body to eliminate lactic acids and other metabolic wastes allowing you to exercise at a much higher rate for longer.
• Reduction in post-exercise muscle soreness – Skins™ have been proven to reduce post exercise muscle soreness while showing marked improvement in muscle strength and alertness.
• Faster removal of lactic acid in the muscles
• Increased time to exhaustion by 30%
• Increase in strength and power by 10% - Skins™ aid recovery and promote power and endurance. Skins™ have also been shown to reduce muscle strain and low level assistance to joints assisting in the fight to keep muscles in line and optimum position.
• Improved endurance by 15%
• Enhanced body temperature control
• Decreases flight leg oedema - Skins™ Travel and recovery assist in alleviating the major symptoms of jetlag/travel tiredness through enhanced circulation and reduced hydration and swelling. They can be worn throughout the day to reduce symptoms of tired aching legs.

Good luck with your running from Wynsport.com