Lycra shorts and fatigue

EdHarris

At the risk of exposing myself as a gullible fool and embarrassing myself I’d like to ask you about lycra shorts. I over heard a cycling chum say that the tighter your lycra shorts, the less fatigued your legs get; is this true?

I ask because since taking up cycling, I’ve lost weight and my shorts are a little too big for me now. And whilst I’m at it: when I buy a new pair do I need to compensate for the materials stretchiness and buy a size lower than usual, or has the clothing company already taken this into account? Thanks for your help.

Ed

Smokin Joe

I think your mate is talking cobblers.

on the road

EdHarris wrote:

I over heard a cycling chum say that the tighter your lycra shorts, the less fatigued your legs get; is this true?

I've never heard of anything like that. In general, if you're a medium you would get medium shorts not small, if you're a large the you would get large shorts not medium and so on. There is a slight variation to that depending on manufacture as some manufacturers size their cloths differently.

AntLockyer

Compression clothing is supposed to reduce fatigue by increasing muscle stability

geoff_ss

Hmmm there could be something in it. Every time I put my Lycra shorts on I'm knackered several hours later. Perhaps they're not tight enough.

Geoff

fossyant

Does he speak with a high pitched voice

Salsiccia

Geoff_SS wrote:

Hmmm there could be something in it. Every time I put my Lycra shorts on I'm knackered several hours later. Perhaps they're not tight enough.

Geoff

Every time I put my lycra shorts on, I'm knackered for several hours later just from putting them on... :oops:

Monty Dog

Compression clothing is specially designed with the material lined up with specific muscle groups - I doubt a tight pair of shorts will provide the same effect. I can contrast 2 experiences: I used to have a couple of pairs of 3/4 tights, some by Castelli and some older Assos ones. There is a mile long climb of 10% within a mile of my house - often I used to start that climb and by the time I reached the top my legs were shot. By experience, I found that these 3/4s were too tight - restricting blood flow to my quads - I often now buy tights in medium to eliminate the problem. I also use some compression tights - Linebreak - for when I'm inline speed skating - training to 2 hours+ at 25-30kph and they make a big difference. I was sceptical initially, particularly following my earlier experience with 'too-tight' leggings.

passout

Cobblers. Tight clothing can actually cause problems e.g. tight tops can make you more likely to strain your intercostal (right spelling?) muscles - between your ribs. Shorts that are too tight are just uncomfortable and could restrict bloodflow I guess - see above. Just go for comfort.

cougie

I'm hearing wonderful reports on the expensive compression kit, but shorts arent quite the same. You really dont want them too tight.

Anyone remember Festina and their Titanium threaded shorts that they said would boost their performance back in 1998 ?

(well that and the car full of drugs I guess)