When running sometimes I feel my calves are going to burst. It seems to restrict my foot movement meaning I end up running pretty flat footed. I guess the advantage to that is people can here me coming!
Anyway, it got me thinking why people wear compression socks or sleeves and if the issue I mention above could be one of the reasons?
I have never tried the calf compression socks but I often use compression sleeves (when it is cold) and shorts. As far as the latter are concerned, I confirm you that they works. I don't know how exactly they work. My feeling is that they keep your muscle compressed reducing the micro fractures caused by the impacts with the ground and maintain your legs "less fatigued". Even the recovery seems to be accelerated by the use of compression shorts.
I tried compression socks, they bunched up the skin on my feet and gave me nasty blisters, something I have never before or since suffered with.
Calf guards, yes for protection, not sure honestly if they help otherwise. Without wearing only one to compare each leg for the same run
I wear compression socks / tuba grips most of the time when I'm not running to help with recovery. .. personally don't see the point of wearing them when running to be honest.
I wore compression sleeves when running for a while as I had started suffering from shin pain. I definitely felt more comfortable with them on at that time - who knows if it was just that it kept the muscles warmer, reduced movement in the muscles, whatever. I don't wear them anymore, but wear compression socks for recovery, not running. I have very poor circulation and I think they help, but that's a very unscientific study of one!
I usually use calf compression with a lower drop shoe if im on long runs and/or doing hill work. It's defanetly helped my calfs. Its salomon s-lab ones i use.
Restrict the flow of blood in or out of the heart: result: heart attack due to insufficient oxygen. Restrict the flow in and out of the leg by compressing it: result: better performance?! I never agreed with that logic. They do help to keep off bramles, ticks, gnats, etc. but then so do long socks.
When the calf muscles are contracted, the vein is compressed by the muscle and this helps venous return by pumping blood back to the heart, it is called 'the calf pump'. If you have limited ankle range of motion you struggle to really contract these muscles normally and so if you suffer from this it can be quite beneficial to wear compression garments.
I think I find calf sleeves work but I'd readily accept it as a placebo. Perhaps they prevent a degree of unwanted movement that adds fatigue? I don't have big calf muscles anyway so who knows.
I recently bought some compression calf sleeves as I get very tight calf muscles running and find these help, however I bought some 2XU ones and they are too long for my short legs! I have to fold up the bottom a bit to make them short enough. I'm only 5 ft 4" but have quite wide calves so had to go for a biggish size. Has anyone else had this problem, or does anyone know of a 'shorter' brand?
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