Sports Compression Socks: How they Help on and off the Field

by

Sara C. Michaels

Researchers have discovered that the graduated compression provided by compression socks boosts blood circulation. There are various reasons people don compression socks – for travel, for medical conditions and for athletic performance. Below, we highlight how sports compression socks assist athletes both during play and during travel.

How Sports Compression Socks Help Athletes on the Field There are many different types of sports compression socks, some developed specifically for a particular sport. For example, Mediven’s CEP running socks include ventilation channels and a padded sole for blister prevention to address problems specific to running. Here’s a look at how compression socks help improve athletic performance: Improved muscle endurance. Athletes often plan on wearing Juzo or Sigvaris sport compression socks during extended workouts, since sports compression socks lessen delayed onset muscle soreness. Moreover, many athletes have discovered that they can run, walk or bike walk longer while sporting compression socks. Accelerated waste removal from taxed muscles. By boosting overall circulation, compression socks help flush waste out of tired muscles during exercise. This improves muscle performance. Enhanced venous return. Venous return is the transfer of blood back to the heart. Venous return is especially important during exercise, as blood must return to the heart and lungs in order to obtain fresh nutrients such as oxygen. Research has shown that Sigvaris sport compression stockings, as well as other brands, increase venous return by forcing blood to run through deeper veins instead of more surface-level conduits. How Compression Socks Help Athletes during Travel Avid athletes wear sports compression socks during games and other workouts, but few of them think to put on compression socks for travel. In order to access athletic events, athletes must travel regularly. Here’s a look at how travel compression socks can help: Reduced inflammation. The seated position athletes must maintain during long travel hours increases the pressure on leg veins, which in turn limits venous return and leads to uncomfortable swelling. Travel compression socks promote circulation, thereby quelling inflammation. Deep vein thrombosis prevention. The most important advantage of donning travel compression socks involves deep vein thrombosis (DVT). All passengers are at risk for DVT during long flights. Indeed, some people call DVT “economy-class syndrome,” since the cramped design of airline seats is partially to blame. However, you don’t have to be in a plane to experience DVT – extended immobility is all that is required to boost your risk for this potentially fatal disease. The deadliness of DVT comes into play when you consider that the thrombus (blood clot) can travel to the lungs, heart or brain. Immediate death is possible if a clot gets stuck in any of these locations. Athletes should be particularly watchful about DVT, as 85 percent of air travel DVT sufferers are athletes. The most at-risk group is endurance athletes. To avoid DVT during long flights, flex your legs every 15 minutes and wear CEP running socks or other compression socks for travel. Additionally, when the captain turns off the seatbelt sign, take a short walk in the aisle to get your blood flowing. Sigvaris sport compression socks

can be beneficial for more than just athletes. Find out more information about the benefits of compression socks and stockings at

LegSmart.com

, the best online resource for compression garments, information and accessories.

Article Source:

Sports Compression Socks: How they Help on and off the Field