surprising benefits of compression socks for running

Arterial blood flow has been shown to increase up to 40% during activity and 30% during recovery. Recent studies show that with an optimal level of consistent compression, the walls of the arteries will dilate, increasing the blood flow through them. Some cheaper non medical grade compression socks are at risk of causing this effect. The issue is also to avoid the tourniquet effect, where pressure below and above a certain region is higher than the central zone, resulting in outward expansion. The pressure at the top of the sock is down to the effect of a non-compression sock. The technical science of graduated compression is the squeezing of the leg, starting at the ankle with the highest pressure (measured in millimeters of mercury – mm Hg), and then gradually reducing the pressure with each row of knitting as you go up the leg. Our founder Anja Kahn has over 30 years of specialist expertise in innovation with fibers, yarns, textiles and solutions which can be applied to fibers and textiles to enhance properties which have health benefits, and her development of the milk fiber graduated compression hosiery is the subject of three patent applications. They are made in a medical factory with constant testing of the pressure levels being created, with continuous research and development to bring you the latest technology for better leg health. In all Atom Compression Wear products, there is a precise science in the manufacture process. We all know sitting in a plane or car with poor posture for an extended period of time can wreak havoc on the blood flow in our legs! The Technology The swelling can then make wearing any shoes particularly uncomfortable. The older we get, the more sluggish our circulation can become, and pooling of blood in the lower legs and feet is commonplace. Over time, those little vibrations of the muscles add up and they become fatigued.Īpart from undergoing sports activity, in our everyday activity and lifestyle, too much sitting or standing over time can take its toll and can result in swelling, achiness, or even or numbness, in the feet, ankles and legs. Think about how much shock and vibration is going through your leg muscles as you pound pavement with 3-5 times your body weight while running. Muscular vibration during physical activity contributes to fatigue. Another factor in decreased performance is muscle fatigue. If this lactic acid is not removed from the muscles, it can contribute to soreness and decreased ability to perform.

During exercise, the body produces lactic acid as a waste product. The more oxygen the cells have, the better they will function. Keeping oxygenated blood flowing to muscles is important for performance. Once the blood gets back to the heart, it’s oxygenated from the lungs and the process is repeated. Once the cells use the oxygen and other nutrients from the blood, the deoxygenated blood, along with lactic acid and other waste products enter the veins to get taken back to the heart. The heart pumps oxygen containing blood to our extremities, and working muscles, through arteries. To really understand how compression socks and sleeves work, and to appreciate the benefits afforded by compression, let’s look at how the blood flows through the body. There is still resistance from the general public to invest in the preventative benefits of compression socks, simply because on the whole they have been unattractive, synthetic and very uncomfortable to put on, wear for any long period of time and take off – there is a whole market developed around plastic devices designed to help you put on compression socks! How Compression Wear Works Today consumers are gradually becoming more aware of the benefits of compression, and you can see a whole plethora of individuals who wear them, from pilots, flight attendants, sports men and women, from healthcare workers to pregnant women, as well as people recovering from surgery, and people otherwise at risk for blood clots in their legs.Įlite and amateur athletes are increasingly wearing compression socks to maximize their athletic performance, speed up muscle recovery and alleviate the lactic acid build up either during or post workout. Compression socks, stocking, tights or leggings have been around for decades, and were originally used for medical purposes – to improve blood circulation, add support after an injury, treat venous insufficiencies, wear post-surgery, and manage chronic illnesses.

Surprising benefits of compression socks for running