Compression socks are proven to promote blood circulation in the legs. They were originally developed to improve blood flow for people with circulatory problems and to prevent blood clots in post-surgery patients. While compression socks are primarily used to treat medical conditions, these products are also available to the general public. Today, people can find men’s compression socks in many apparel stores and clothing outlets.
These types of socks are often marketed to professional athletes and physically active men who participate in endurance activities, such as running, triathlon, basketball, and football. Since improved circulation helps blood flow back to the heart, athletes believe that using compression socks may help increase their endurance and decrease their recovery time. So far, studies indeed suggest that wearing them can improve physical performance and healing.
Are you interested in purchasing your very own pair but need a little more convincing? Here are five benefits that physically active men can gain from wearing compression socks:
Provides Added Protection to Your Lower Extremities
First off, compression socks feature thicker materials compared to regular socks. As such, they can keep your legs warm and dry as well as protect your skin from abrasions during exercise and other sports activities. Some studies also suggest that compression socks can minimize the impact and the amount of damage your muscles might sustain during physical activities.
In one study, wearing full-length compression tights was found to reduce muscle damage for football players, decreasing the muscle pain and swelling they experience after strenuous physical activities. If your goal is to minimize muscle damage during sports activities or exercise, you should consider wearing compression socks instead of regular socks.
Can Improve Running by Keeping You from Getting Tired Right Away
A group of researchers analyzed a wide collection of studies about runners that used compression socks. The research found that runners who used compression socks improved their time to exhaustion, which is how long a person can maintain the speed and intensity of their run before experiencing a drop in performance. Blood sample analysis also showed that runners who wore compression socks had less muscle inflammation and damage.
Speeds Up Recovery After Rigorous Physical Activities
There is a growing number of studies that suggest wearing compression socks during and after engaging in exercise can reduce muscle pain and help speed up recovery time. Many studies have shown that wearing compression socks can reduce post-exercise pain or delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS), which is the feeling of heavy muscle pain that’s experienced a few days after an intense workout.
Wearing compression socks, specifically after exercising, can reduce inflammation in your muscles by improving blood circulation. This, in turn, helps to immediately remove toxins from the affected muscle tissues, allowing your muscles to heal and recover more quickly. As a result, people who wear compression socks also report feeling moderately less muscle pain and soreness after exercising.
Can Provide a Psychological Boost During Sports Activities
At the moment, there is no hard evidence that compression socks can directly boost athletic performance. However, some athletes may experience a very real placebo effect from wearing compression gear. Believing that a piece of clothing can aid in your training, improve your race time, and even speed up your recovery can have a positive effect on your mindset. This boost in confidence can ultimately help you perform better.
Prevents Blood Clots During Long Trips
Sitting for long periods puts a lot of pressure on one’s leg veins. This weakens blood circulation in the lower extremities, which may cause your legs to swell. While flexing your legs every once in a while during a long flight or car ride can help improve your blood circulation, wearing compression socks is a must. This is especially true for athletes and physically active individuals who need to travel long distances for sports competitions.
Physically active people may also be prone to blood clots if they have a bone fracture or if they are dehydrated after a rigorous physical event. If you’ve experienced any of these situations, make sure to wear some compression socks on your travels.
These are just several benefits of compression socks for physically active men. The most important takeaway is that compression socks can help your muscles recover fast after a strenuous workout. This allows you to manage post-exercise muscle pain better, so you can avoid major discomfort that might come after engaging in exercise and other sports activities. And when you’re free from muscle pain, it’s easier to feel motivated to exercise and reach your sports goals.
