Q: I’ve noticed pretty much every sports manufacturer from Nike to Under Armour makes “compression clothing.” Does wearing this stuff actually do anything for your athletic performance?
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A: Pro athletes use compression clothing (spandex shirts, shorts, pants, and socks that squeeze the muscles), and for good reason. A recent study in the International Journal of Sports Medicine compared runners who wear compression tights with those who wear loose-fitting running shorts. Researchers found that the runners in compression tights had better circulation and expended less energy. Compression clothing has also been shown to keep muscles warmer and looser, allowing them to act more efficiently. Former Buffalo Bill and All-Pro defensive lineman Bruce Smith wore a skin-tight Spyder ski-racing suit under his uniform in the early ’90s, and I’ve been a big fan of these garments ever since. I even use compression socks when I’m not working out because they cause more blood to return to the heart and less to pool in the feet, thus reducing the risk of dangerous blood clots.
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Email your questions for Dr. Bob Arnot to dr.bob@mensjournal.com.
This article originally appeared in the October 2009 issue of Men’s Journal.
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October 19th, 2009 at 6:08 pm
Hey Dr Bob … you need to consider three important things when buying running compression socks:
1. Is the compression GRADUATED - if not, you can actually cause harm with a torniquet effect.
2. What amount of compression is delivered. The most effective compression gradient is 20mmHg at ankle - reducing to 15mmHg at the knee, so that return blood flow is assisted. You’ll see this written on packaging as 15-20mmHg.
This has been proven in clinical studies all over the world - most running compression socks have WAY TOO MUCH compression.
3. Is the graduated compression independently tested - many brands don’t even list a value for compression, let alone whether it’s graduated.
Running compression socks evolved from medical compression stockings, and no doctor would dream of putting a patient in compression socks that were neither graduated nor tested and verified.
http://www.SmoothToe.com has an excellent range of athletic compression socks which are being used by thousands of runners (Knee High with 15-20mmHg graduated compression).
Try them for recovery at first - you’ll be amazed!
[Reply]
October 20th, 2009 at 12:41 am
I like to wear compression shourts so my junk doesn’t bounce around too much or slip out of my shorts.
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