![]() More recently, Brophy-Williams et al., (2017) found runners had reduced calf muscle girth, caused by inflammation and swelling, as well as reduced perceived muscle soreness. Wearing below the knee compression socks after a marathon for 48 hours was shown to improve ‘functional recovery’ and run times to exhaustion (Armstrong et al., 2015). Recovery after a run has had some more contradicting results. If you have ever been to a trail running event you’ll know that these runners wear compression socks A LOT- so maybe their effects are better on uneven surfaces over long distances? Vercruyssen et al., (2014) thought the same thing, but unfortunately the results did not prove to be significant and they found no change in performance or physiological effects when wearing compression socks during a trail run. Furthermore, Engel et al., (2016) speculated that there may be some biomechanical advantages in a 10km race as they found run time to exhaustion improved, but this has yet to be backed up by any significant data. One study in 2011 aimed to determine if there was a change in kinematics (how someone runs) when wearing compression socks, but the results did not show any differences. (2017) also found that compression socks might aid in the recovery between exercise performances and concluded in their recent follow up study that wearing compression garments during exercise can have a positive influence on subsequent performance (Brophy-Williams et al., 2019).īiomechanics and Kinematics - Can they change HOW you run? (2015) found that below-the-knee compression socks worn for 48-hours after a marathon resulted in a significant improvement for run time to exhaustion. However, the science looking at the benefits of compression garments post-exercise are more favourable. The one study that did find improvements in performance could have been influenced by the study protocol (lack of blinding) and also suggested triggers for motivational influences on performance results (Kemmler et al., 2009). However, despite the substantial amount of research investigating the effect of compression garments on immediate athletic improvement, there is very limited data indicating a positive effect for runners (Ali et al., 2011 Stanek, 2017). The physiological benefits seen in clinical populations could be translated into some of the things we might want to address during sporting activity, and could therefore have a very positive impact on performance. Of course, there is some logical reasoning behind these claims. Socks that can make you run faster? Sign me up! The first published reference using compression socks in sport appeared in the 1980s. The transition of compression garments into the world of sport is harder to pinpoint, but it appears to have started when a German engineer named Conrad Jobset wore them in the 1950s. Research later-on in the 1900’s confirmed their benefits by way of improving venous flow in the legs, reducing edema, and helping to prevent deep vein thrombosis (DVT).įor these reasons, they are still used frequently in the medical world to help improve deep venous velocity, venous return, and help reduce venous pooling in postoperative, inactive, hospital patients (Sperlich et al, 2010). There is evidence of compression garments being used for medical reasons all the way back to Hippocrates in 350 BC. History behind compression socks - Who came up with the idea and why?Ĭompression socks are by no means new. Reduce lactic acid build up in the legs by augmenting lower limb pump action.Reduce DOMS (delayed onset muscle fatigue) by improving venous return.Improve biomechanics and kinematics (running technique). ![]() Proposed benefits of compression socks for runners: Hopefully this will help you decide whether or not you want to invest in a pair yourself, or decide to ditch the socks and head to the track. Here we explain why compression garments have become a well-known running accessory and dig deeper into the science with regards to their alleged benefits. Therefore it is safe to say performance is usually the primary goal.Ĭompression garments have increased in popularity ten-fold over the past few decades, particularly amongst runners and triathletes. Whilst injury prevention may be at the back of a runner’s mind, in most cases there is very minimal effort to do anything about it unless pain or discomfort is involved. Similarly, getting injured can put immediate brakes on any training. But that sounds exhausting, so the fall-back method is to look for easier and quicker fixes. The harder, and arguably the best, way to achieve performance goals is through hard work and intense training. To not get injured in the process of trying to achieve the above.
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