Researchers generally agree that compression gear increases blood flow.Although more and more studies are emerging that support the idea, some do not. It is not certain yet whether compression garments (like calf sleeves and socks) can improve performance.Few runners use them to treat their current injuries.įrom the literature we’ve summarized these points: Research suggests that most runners use compression sleeves with the aim of improving their performance and post-run recovery, or to prevent re-injury. This is why people are told to wear compression socks when flying. This means your veins could do with the extra help of getting the blood back to your heart. If you’re sitting, your blood flow can be slowed down by gravity and pool in your legs. #Surprising benefits of compression socks for running professionalIf you’re going to be lying down or resting in a more horizontal position for more than 2 hours (injured or not), you don’t need extra compression and you should remove any compression gear (unless a medical professional tells you differently). When you wear calf sleeves you should be moving around or sitting in an upright position. In the early phases of calf strain, you may not be moving around much while you rest your injury. Follow the user instructions carefully and make extra sure that the sleeve doesn’t constrict your blood flow at any time. You can follow the general timelines mentioned above but make sure your calf sleeve fits around your leg properly. If you have a calf strain, you will most likely be using a calf sleeve to control pain and swelling, especially in the early days. This depends on the intensity level during your exercise and your activity levels after. #Surprising benefits of compression socks for running freeIf you are injury free and exercising, you can wear calf sleeves during exercise and up to 12 hours after if necessary. It’s more important to know when you should and shouldn’t wear them. In general, there is no rule about exactly how long you should wear calf sleeves. It’s best to follow a ‘try it and see’ approach and find what works best for you. Problem solved!Īs you can see, there isn’t much science to this part. You simply choose a sleeve that fits your calves and then wear any socks that fit your feet. If you are dealing with these types of issues, calf sleeves may be your answer. Others want the calf compression benefits but also want to be able to wear their own anti-odor, specially padded or even lucky socks! Some people struggle to find the right size socks because they have smaller feet and larger calves, or vice versa. Lastly, calf sleeves offer more customization because you can mix and match them with any socks. By choosing a well-fitting sock or sleeve, you can prevent this issue altogether. Unlike calf sleeves, which can shift up or down on the calf. Staying in placeĬompression socks tend to stay in place better than calf sleeves because they can only move down. Compression socks don’t have this problem because they compress your whole foot, ankle and calf and the fluid isn’t able to sink back down the leg. Potential problems with swellingĬompression sleeves may cause problems with swelling and fluid build-up at the base of your ankles because of where they start compressing (at the ankle). Whereas a sleeve starts at the level of your ankle and only covers your calf. The differences include: What it coversĬompression socks fit over your whole foot, ankle and calf. Choosing one over the other usually comes down to personal preference and comfort. It also promotes the healing of the injured tissues during and after exercise or injury.Īlthough calf compression sleeves and socks use similar graduated compression technology, there are a few small differences between them. Improved lymphatic circulation reduces swelling and pain. It also clears the area of old or injured cells to make way for new ones. The lymphatic system drains away waste products released from your muscles. Lymphatic flowĬalf sleeves increase the pressure in your lymphatic veins too. The increased blood flow and oxygen (which fuels your muscles) can help keep your muscles working well, and this may help you run faster and further, for longer. If you choose to continue wearing calf sleeves once your muscle strain has healed, the benefits will remain. In muscle injuries like calf strain, the more oxygen you have in your muscles, the better they heal. This stimulates your circulatory system as a whole, and in turn, ensures your calf muscles have a constant flow of ‘fresh’ (oxygen-rich) blood in and ‘old’ (oxygen-poor) blood out. Blood flowĬalf sleeves gently increase the pressure in your veins and help increase blood flow back to the heart. This ‘tighter at the bottom – looser at the top’ design, helps direct the flow of fluid away from your calves and up to your heart. Most calf compression sleeves apply a graduated pressure up your calves.
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