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.
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