Did you know that compression socks will help you get the most out of your exercise? Wearing compression socks means you can perform better while you are exercising and, after all your hard work, you can recover quicker – helping you avoid injury and enabling you to get out there again quicker.
Three recent studies have all proved conclusive in demonstrating the benefits of wearing graduated compression socks during and after exercise.
The first evidence was revealed during a study conducted for the Journal of Sports Sciences, volume 25, issue 4, in 2007. The study involved 28 active males who were asked to participate in a 10km run. The aim of the study was to compare the effectiveness of different types of lower body compression garments on both physical and mental responses to running during after both continuous and intermittent running. The main finding was that after a bout of high intensity continuous road running, a dramatic reduction in muscle soreness was reported by those wearing graduated compression socks.
Another trial looked at the effect of compression socks when cycling. A one hour cycling time trial, graduated compression socks improved mean muscle oxygenation during exercise. The study – conducted by Dascobe B in 2006 – concluded that wearing graduated compression socks led to greater muscle efficiency.
A third study – reported in the British Journal of Sports Medicine vol. 40 2006 – focused on 23 elite rugby players and compared different recovery strategies. These were resting, warm-down, hot and cold water therapy and wearing graduated compression socks. The trial showed that after both 36 and 84 hours after a match, those wearing compression socks had the best recovery rates.
So what sort of compression socks should you chose to aid your performance? There are lots of compression products out there, many of varying quality. Two products that you can rely on are Sigvaris Sports Running Compression Socks and Solidea Active Energy Unisex Sports Compression Socks. Each can be worn by men and women, and each boosts your sports performance by increasing blood flow and pushing more oxygen-rich blood into your active muscles. Each will also prevent the build-up of lactic acid, which causes muscle soreness. The Sigvaris socks have a firm graduated compression of 20-30mmHg and the Solidea socks have a light compression of 12-15mmHg.
The first evidence was revealed during a study conducted for the Journal of Sports Sciences, volume 25, issue 4, in 2007. The study involved 28 active males who were asked to participate in a 10km run. The aim of the study was to compare the effectiveness of different types of lower body compression garments on both physical and mental responses to running during after both continuous and intermittent running. The main finding was that after a bout of high intensity continuous road running, a dramatic reduction in muscle soreness was reported by those wearing graduated compression socks.
Another trial looked at the effect of compression socks when cycling. A one hour cycling time trial, graduated compression socks improved mean muscle oxygenation during exercise. The study – conducted by Dascobe B in 2006 – concluded that wearing graduated compression socks led to greater muscle efficiency.
A third study – reported in the British Journal of Sports Medicine vol. 40 2006 – focused on 23 elite rugby players and compared different recovery strategies. These were resting, warm-down, hot and cold water therapy and wearing graduated compression socks. The trial showed that after both 36 and 84 hours after a match, those wearing compression socks had the best recovery rates.
So what sort of compression socks should you chose to aid your performance? There are lots of compression products out there, many of varying quality. Two products that you can rely on are Sigvaris Sports Running Compression Socks and Solidea Active Energy Unisex Sports Compression Socks. Each can be worn by men and women, and each boosts your sports performance by increasing blood flow and pushing more oxygen-rich blood into your active muscles. Each will also prevent the build-up of lactic acid, which causes muscle soreness. The Sigvaris socks have a firm graduated compression of 20-30mmHg and the Solidea socks have a light compression of 12-15mmHg.