Why should you wear compression stockings?
What are the benefits of compression stockings?
Compression garments - be they stockings, boots or clothes - have been shown to be helpful in improving blood circulation. It supports the veins by draining oxygen-poor blood
1. If the veins are not working as they should, blood and fluid can build up, usually in the same areas in the lower legs or feet.
The lymphatic system does not have a pumping mechanism, so it is important that your muscles and joints drain fluid into the lower body. Thanks to gravity and the amount of hours you sit and stand, circulation in the legs can be negatively affected. The muscles and joints then have difficulty draining blood and fluid. In this case, blood and fluid may accumulate in the lower legs and feet, resulting in swelling.
2. The compression stockings support improves circulation and prevents muscle fatigue, foot pain and injuries. Plus, it can speed up recovery after an intense workout.
Support socks from Stox Energy should feel good, not tight or uncomfortable - as if light pressure is being applied to a sore, damaged muscle. If you do not exercise at all, there is a risk that vein valves may become damaged. Compression stockings are therefore also useful for people with heavy legs, swelling of the lower limbs or other complaints, who do not exercise much. Compression is also an ideal solution for people who have to sit or stand all day for work, to prevent tired legs.
3. Standing or sitting for long periods, such as on airplanes or on the road, can reduce blood circulation in the veins and damage or weaken the valves, which can cause discomfort.
Pregnant women wear compression stockings to prevent blood from accumulating in their veins and to lower the heart rate of the mother and child. Because the body has to work for two, this often also causes extra fluid in the lower body, which cannot always be eliminated. The result is swelling in the lower legs.
Compression stockings may be prescribed for patients with a history of diabetes, chronic venous insufficiency, deep vein thrombosis, heart failure, and varicose veins to prevent blood pooling and promote blood flow to the heart.
Is there any evidence that runners can benefit from wearing compression stockings?
Efforts have been made in scientific studies to accommodate the conflicting results regarding the impact of compression stockings on performance. They evaluated the effectiveness of, among other things, compression stockings, which have been shown to benefit runners by reducing muscle soreness, inflammation and muscle damage.
What does science say about the effect of compression stockings?
Numerous studies have been done on their effectiveness. Some are significantly more meaningful than others. We have briefly highlighted three studies for you.
Compression clothing and muscle metabolism during intensive training recovery
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of compression garments on the metabolism and increase recovery after intensive training. The muscles evaluated were the biceps and quadriceps during intense exercise. They were looking for glucose intake, what they found was that glucose uptake was higher in the deeper parts of the muscle. The results showed that wearing compression shorts reduces blood flow in both deep and superficial areas of muscle tissue during recovery. Improved blood flow after exercise can promote metabolic recovery.
