Runners are always seeking the newest thing, or perhaps the second step that will allow them to have a small benifit of better their times. There’s a growing number of individuals wearing calf compression sleeves in training and races and raving about the subject. We see the elites putting them on like Paula Radcliffe.
But do calf compression sleeves possess a genuine physiological effect or perhaps it really “in the mind” as well as a ‘placebo effect’?
Compression sleeves are well known and accepted within the medical arena for helping circulation and venous return. We understand these are advised for very long flights and for post operative patients in hospital for reducing swelling inside the legs.
They’ve got similar effects for runners also. Runners often experience sore muscles the next day a hard session due to accumulation of lactic acid and micro tears in the muscles. Wearing knee compression sleeve issues helps enhance the circulation of blood minimizing post exercise swelling inside the tissues following hard workouts. What this means is the runner can perform better in training, making greater gains as well as train equally hard in the morning.
Addititionally there is evidence that the compression helps you to stabilise muscle during motion to cut back the vibration effect, thereby increasing muscle power during activity.
During my own experimentation with running inside them, my achilles tendon used to be less sore after my long running sessions whilst using them during activity. My times were also better. I continued to use them at the office for several days after any long session together no calf soreness where normally I’d have a sore achilles tendon.
They also have been invaluable to make the transition to barefoot running to provide my calf muscles extra support during this time period especially if Used to do a run using a concrete surface. When a runner decides to improve their gait pattern from heel striker to mid foot runner or forefoot runner lots of muscles get used which have not been utilized for a little while. Extremely common to see a lot of calf and foot pain prior to the muscles learn the new pattern and acquire stronger in this new gait.
Some athletes wear compression sleeves during activity, some just wear them afterwards on the way home or at the office under their trousers.
In addition, i notice regular running clients who arrive at the clinic requiring sports massage on their calves who usually suffer a lot of calf tightness reporting significantly less tightness and calf pain. In addition they report regular personal bests for his or her 5 km and 10km running times.
I really am an admirer depending on my own results and people of my clients.
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