Pressure leggings for cycling and suchlike
Discussion
Not sure where to put this post. As it kinda medically questioned - ish, so elf maaers seems as good a place as any.
What is the logic behind wearing tight clothing when doing exercises such as cycle. Now, I realise there's few more vain that the gunning shaved cyclist in his tight lycra, but other for streamline reasons, is there a reason why in certain sports people wear tight clothing - and if so, does tightness change the way muscles perform?
I'm curious to know if there is a science behind this and what the science might be.
Cheers,
DMN
What is the logic behind wearing tight clothing when doing exercises such as cycle. Now, I realise there's few more vain that the gunning shaved cyclist in his tight lycra, but other for streamline reasons, is there a reason why in certain sports people wear tight clothing - and if so, does tightness change the way muscles perform?
I'm curious to know if there is a science behind this and what the science might be.
Cheers,
DMN
Compression wear is used a great deal in endurance sports.
There was a late study in the late 80's/early 90's that showed that compression socks lowered blood lactate levels after exhaustive exercise and basically the theory goes that compression socks shuttle more blood into the venous calf muscle pumps, allowing for less swelling and blood pooling aiding lactate buffering . . . compression wear worn elsewhere is supposed to improve posture (and consequently form and efficiency which theoretically will aid you in a long distance event). That's as I remember anyway.
Does it work? Who knows, but there's not a great deal of evidence to say it does (certainly in terms of aiding or increasing performances). Placebo effect? Very much more likely (as well as amateur athletes seeing elites wearing the stuff). There's a little more evidence to say it helps in recovery (all about venous return and lactate again), but studies are fairly thin on the ground and I'd say athletes that wear compression clothing just get used to it as a bit of a comfort blanket - athletes are generally quite superstitious/creatures of habit and I think it has a greater mental benefit than physical.
Personally, I do wear arm "warmers" cycling in high temperature events, but only for UV protection on my forearms (learnt my lesson getting hideously sunburnt in one very hot race), but compression socks? NEVER!! TBH, I think they make the wearer look a little "special"
There was a late study in the late 80's/early 90's that showed that compression socks lowered blood lactate levels after exhaustive exercise and basically the theory goes that compression socks shuttle more blood into the venous calf muscle pumps, allowing for less swelling and blood pooling aiding lactate buffering . . . compression wear worn elsewhere is supposed to improve posture (and consequently form and efficiency which theoretically will aid you in a long distance event). That's as I remember anyway.
Does it work? Who knows, but there's not a great deal of evidence to say it does (certainly in terms of aiding or increasing performances). Placebo effect? Very much more likely (as well as amateur athletes seeing elites wearing the stuff). There's a little more evidence to say it helps in recovery (all about venous return and lactate again), but studies are fairly thin on the ground and I'd say athletes that wear compression clothing just get used to it as a bit of a comfort blanket - athletes are generally quite superstitious/creatures of habit and I think it has a greater mental benefit than physical.
Personally, I do wear arm "warmers" cycling in high temperature events, but only for UV protection on my forearms (learnt my lesson getting hideously sunburnt in one very hot race), but compression socks? NEVER!! TBH, I think they make the wearer look a little "special"
I thought it was because it's stretchy rather than being baggy to cope with movement.
Normal clothing being baggy, given a repetitive motion, will rub the skin raw (see reasons for nipple Vaseline use).
Lycra can be "skin tight" and adjusts by stretching and therefore doesn't rub in the same way.
Normal clothing being baggy, given a repetitive motion, will rub the skin raw (see reasons for nipple Vaseline use).
Lycra can be "skin tight" and adjusts by stretching and therefore doesn't rub in the same way.
Yeah, I was talking more specifically about compression wear rather than your common or garden lycra - as okgo says some of the expensive stuff is marketed as having compression type effects, but lycra is just comfortable to wear for long periods, wicks away sweat well and doesn't flap in the wind.
The compression wear and socks I was talking about are designed to be even tighter and commonly worn by longer distance runners/cyclists/triathletes. A few guys I know have worn them after muscular/tendon injuries as well, saying that it feels better running/cycling in them (almost like a protective cuff), but as mentioned there's no real evidence to back up any efficacy. Hey, if it makes them feel better though, then then there's almost certainly a psychological benefit, which makes it worth wearing them for them.
How "compressive" the stuff is, I don't know - as I said, I've never worn it and doubtful ever will - as mentioned the socks certainly aren't a great look IMO
The compression wear and socks I was talking about are designed to be even tighter and commonly worn by longer distance runners/cyclists/triathletes. A few guys I know have worn them after muscular/tendon injuries as well, saying that it feels better running/cycling in them (almost like a protective cuff), but as mentioned there's no real evidence to back up any efficacy. Hey, if it makes them feel better though, then then there's almost certainly a psychological benefit, which makes it worth wearing them for them.
How "compressive" the stuff is, I don't know - as I said, I've never worn it and doubtful ever will - as mentioned the socks certainly aren't a great look IMO
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