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Compression garments have been around for over a century and were initially developed to aid in medical treatment for lymphedema, post-surgery swelling, and deep vein thrombosis. Recent research has shown that compression also aids in performance and recovery.
Increased circulation
Compression garments are becoming increasingly popular among athletes and workout warriors and for good reason. Despite their appearance that resembles a superhero outfit (or a pair of spandex pants for the ladies), they are designed to increase blood flow and speed up muscle recovery.
These tight garments are engineered with flexible and stretchy fabrics that form your body and pressure your muscles during exercise. The pressure increases the oxygen supply to the muscles, which fuels cellular respiration.
This also prevents lactic acid buildup and reduces the time to get your legs back into working condition after exercise. In addition to that, compression garments help lower your perceived exertion, which in turn allows you to perform better for longer. For example, studies have shown that wearing compression shorts improves jumping ability by up to 9%!
Reduced muscle oscillation
One of the most significant benefits of compression fabrics is that they can help reduce muscle vibration, which happens when your muscles hit the ground. This can improve your performance in power-based sports, like basketball, football, and sprinting.
These garments can also be worn to improve recovery from exercise-induced muscle damage. In addition to using recovery-enhancing tools, such as foam rolling and hot & cold fermentation, you can wear compression fabric to keep your muscles relaxed while you exercise.
The key to improving athletic performance is giving your body time to recover between workout sessions. If you don’t allow your muscles to rest, they can become strained and lead to injury. Thankfully, there has been significant growth in recovery-enhancing tools to help you get over your muscle damage faster. Muscle soreness can occur after lifting weights, training for a sport, or even working long hours in a job that strains specific muscles. To avoid muscle soreness, wear compression clothing that targets the affected area during and after exercise. This will help increase circulation and oxygen flow to your muscles so that they can heal quickly.
Enhanced moisture management
Enhanced moisture management in sportswear allows sweat to move through the fabric, where it is evaporated and away from the skin. This helps to prevent a wet, clammy feeling that can lead to fatigue and abrasions. These fabrics can be constructed to move moisture in horizontal or vertical directions, depending on the fabric structure.
Clothing made from compression fabric can be washed regularly, but care should be taken to use mild detergent, and the garment should not be put in the dryer. The synthetic fibers may burn or melt if exposed to high temperatures.
Often worn in shirts, shorts, and socks, this tight but stretchy fabric is often used by athletes and those with certain medical conditions that affect their blood circulation. Studies have shown that wearing this fabric can increase muscle function, reduce perceived exertion, and help you recover faster. It can even improve your jumping ability. In addition, it stretches while you move but doesn’t slip in certain areas, thanks to bands of silicon that act like an adhesive.
Optimal temperature regulation
Optimal temperature regulation is an essential factor when choosing fabric for athletic wear. The material you choose can significantly affect your performance and comfort during exercise, especially when the weather changes rapidly.
To improve athletic performance, having a low perceived exertion (PE) is critical. Studies have shown that wearing compression garments such as shorts can help reduce PE by enhancing muscle function and blood flow.
Compression fabrics are tight-fitting, made from nylon and spandex with varying amounts of stretch. They are used for athletic support, treating Deep Vein Thrombosis, pregnancy support, and sportswear.
These fabrics are moisture-wicking and breathable, wicking away sweat, keeping you dry. They are also thermally efficient, transferring heat from your body to the surrounding environment, preventing overheating.
Improved running economy
Some fabrics are designed to serve a functional purpose, like compression fabric. It’s a technical fabric commonly used in athletic apparel, such as t-shirts and leggings, to aid muscle recovery while improving circulation.
While a runner’s performance depends on many factors that can improve their running economy, this value is mainly influenced by physiological and biomechanical characteristics that vary between individuals. These characteristics include a runner’s ability to suck in oxygen faster during exercise, propulsive force production, and limb movement control.
To improve your running economy, the key is to wear high-performance sportswear made with nylon and spandex. This type of compression fabric is a tight, stretchy, and soft blend of 80% nylon and 20% spandex sold by the yard at fabric retailers. You can choose from several solid colors, including black, pink, red, blue, white, or yellow. The fabric’s width is 59 to 60 inches, and weighs 210 GSM. It’s also sold in one-yard pieces.