compression gear

Compression for performanceBetter blood flow and more stable muscles sounds like a recipe for a faster and all-around better race. However, the science doesn’t back that up yet. “The data is not very good to support or refute the benefits of compression in terms of athletic performance,” says Perlowski. She points out that while there are a few objective measures that can be investigated such as faster running times and the reduction of lactic acid (a byproduct of exercise that contributes to soreness) in the blood, many studies have to rely on subjective measures from the participants, in terms of their opinions on how it makes them feel. “Not everyone has the same pain threshold,” she says. “You and I may stub our toes, and you may say the pain is a nine out of ten, while I may say it’s a two.”<style>
</style>However, Berenc points out that the placebo effect may be real and a good thing. “The mind is powerful,” he says. “If I think it’s going to help me perform, then it might do just that, and that’s a hard thing to test.” Further, he suggests you can extrapolate a performance benefit from wearing compression gear for recovery. “If wearing the gear makes me recover faster, I can get back to my training faster,” he says. “By wearing it after my Saturday long run, I may feel better for that next run on Monday.”Verdict: Try it<style>
</style>Start with recovery garments, especially on your extremities (calves and/or feet if your training uses more lower body, and arms, if your upper body was also taxed). When choosing garments, make sure they’re made using medical-grade compression (measured at around 15 to 20 milligrams of mercury, or mm Hg), which Perlowski says is appropriate if you’re going to get any physiological benefits in terms of blood flow.You may also like the feeling of compression and the support that shorts, tights, or tops can provide during your activity of choice. Garments made for wear during a race should also be sweat-wicking and have temperature-management properties so your muscles don’t overheat or get too cold. And while you can wear them on any part of your body, Perlowski says ones worn on the extremities will have better venous-return benefits. “It’s probably not going to hurt, but it might actually help,” she says.

The case for compression

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