Compression garments - your experience

[Greg Johnson]

Hey guys,

Just wondering if anyone's had any experience with compression garments? Would be interested to hear your feedback/views.

Cheers
Greg Johnson

 

[Greyhound Velo]

I've only used the (knee high) socks and have no empirical data to confirm what I feel, but my perception is that my legs feel fresher and less sore the next day when I wear the socks for a few hours after a hard ride. Whether or not there is any actual, real benefit isn't really a factor. My legs feel better so I use the socks, placebo effect or not.

 

[Ovidius]

I tried some Compression Socks, but the largest size didn't come close to fitting over my legs!

 

[Argon Man]

I used to wear compression garments when I was a runner, again I have no data, but I felt better the next day after a hard run, I dont wear with cycling though. They always use them in hospitals to stop DVT so they must do something, I had to wear them on my legs while I was in for bike crash repairs lately.

 

[phessler]

Aren't all lycra cycling shorts the equivalent of compression shorts? I don't see any difference other than compression shorts not having a chamois.

 

[Argon Man]

Here are all the answers
http://www.cyclingnews.com/tech.php?id=/tech/2009/features/compression_garments09

 

[James Jordan]

Hey guys,

Just wondering if anyone's had any experience with compression garments? Would be interested to hear your feedback/views.

Cheers
Greg Johnson

I have been using the 2XU stuff for a while know and from personal experience I find that they are excellent for recovery after a hard day.

 

[Tapeworm]

I too have found them good after a hard day riding, seems to reduce soreness in the legs overnight. Purely anecdotal.

 

[James Jordan]

I too have found them good after a hard day riding, seems to reduce soreness in the legs overnight. Purely anecdotal.

Actually its not all the information is anecdotal. I recently went to a lecture at the Australian Institute of Sport here in Canberra where they have a team who have been doing research on recovery for quite some time and they have shown a lot of real benefit from the use of compression garments, ice baths and various other techniques with endurance athletes.

Plus there is the psychological benefit that derives from personally feeling better. Even if its a placebo effect, if it makes you train better and harder the next day it still has had some real benefit.

 

[smipypr]

Compression Clothing

The merits of compression clothing aside, the long-lived myth of lactic acid/lactate is being continued. Post ride, run, or workout soreness is not the result of lactate in the blood - that goes to the liver and is converted to glucose. Lactic acid itself may be present, especially after a a hard sprint, but soon leaves the bloodstream. Soreness is the result of micro-tears in your muscle tissue. That's how muscles get stronger - by repairing the damage from stress.

 

[Greg Johnson]

That's how muscles get stronger - by repairing the damage from stress.

Hence the term, no pain, no gain!

Seems everyone here has had positive experiences with these garments, which is interesting.

Cheers
Greg Johnson

 

[tashimi76]

I like them too - I've found them more beneficial for recovery and doing weights sessions than on the bike so far. I've used Skins and Linebreak (Skins are only better in that you get a wedgie from the Linebreak). If I've major soreness (more from running than cycling) I think ice-baths or contrast water treatments work better. If you're able to use a pool for this then the compression from the water will be higher than from the garments anyway.

 

[James Jordan]

The merits of compression clothing aside, the long-lived myth of lactic acid/lactate is being continued. Post ride, run, or workout soreness is not the result of lactate in the blood - that goes to the liver and is converted to glucose. Lactic acid itself may be present, especially after a a hard sprint, but soon leaves the bloodstream. Soreness is the result of micro-tears in your muscle tissue. That's how muscles get stronger - by repairing the damage from stress.

Quite correct, but the value of compression garments has nothing to do with lactic acid but with suporting the muscle tissue while it repairs itself. This is one of the reasons why its not a good idea to train in them as they can reduce the ability of the muscles to adapt to the new loads being put on them

 

[fergnago]

It might be all in the mind but i can really notice the difference when i wear my 2xu tights after riding.

 

[mherm79]

i use a pair of skins for running & stay in them for some time post a run - i find my leg muscles feel better supported during a run as well and that my legs feel fresher post run.
hospitals use compression socks to improve circulation - better blood flow around repairing muscles must be good for recovery.