If you are an athlete, there is a big chance that you have heard of compression stockings. Many active people, especially runners, wear for their effectiveness. Well, are they that great? Should you invest in them as a runner? Truth be told, compression socks can be a lifesaver for runners.
They have been found to reduce pain after a long run and there are other numerous benefits associated with wearing them. Before looking at how runners can benefit from compression socks, let us dig a little deeper into what compression socks are all about.
What are Compression Socks?
These are specialized hosiery or garments that are worn on the legs to put pressure on the legs to promote venous return. They cover areas of the toes and up to the top of the calves. Many are designed to cover up as high as the knees.
The major reason why compression socks are recommended is for their supports for blood flow and circulation. They help in balancing out the pressure between the outgoing blood and incoming blood flow on the legs. They constrict the blood vessels, which help to increase the velocity of the flow.
Benefits of Compression Socks for Runners
The benefits are the reasons why you should invest in a pair of compression socks as a runner. As mentioned, they function by providing gradient pressure to create a funnel for the speed-up of blood flow from the lower limbs. Here are some top benefits associated with wearing compression socks.
- Reduces Soreness
This is one of the major reasons why many runners invest in compression socks. It has been demonstrated that compression socks help the muscle by minimizing the space for the buildup of lactic acid. With compression socks, your blood gets pumped down with the right pressure, taking the lactic acid along with it.
This helps to reduce soreness, thereby increasing your frequency of running. According to reports, compression socks can reduce muscle soreness by about 20%.
- Improved VO2 Max
Compression stockings have been reported to improve the VO2 of runners. VO2 refers to the intake of oxygen of athletes, which is about 0.6% of available oxygen. With this amount of oxygen intake, a clear correlation between the use of compression stockings and improved VO2 is established.
- Minimizes Swelling
Runners, especially the older athletes, often have issues with swelling of their feet after a long-running day. Many people with this issue have found that using compression socks helps resolve this problem by compressing their limbs gently, leading to more comfort and less swelling during and after a workout.
- Minimizes Unnecessary Movement
Compression socks are said to help keep the calves in place. They prevent them from jiggling and shaking about. When there is a lot of jiggling and shaking around the calves, the tremor can move up to the leg and cause oscillation within the thigh or the torso. Compression stockings have been found to help with oscillation and prevent unnecessary movement.
- Protects from Minor Injuries
Nasty bumps, abrasions, and scratches are some of the common minor injuries that runners experience. However, with compression socks, you are protected from them as your feet are properly encased in a pair of protective socks.
Conclusion
Many benefits are associated with wearing a pair of compression socks as a runner. The five benefits highlighted above are a few of them. If you are considering investing in compression socks, it is highly recommended that you do.
This is because they are a runner’s good friend. You can explore the online platform to find the perfect design and fit for you. It is important to choose compression socks that fit properly as doing otherwise may cause more damage in the long run.