Compression clothing...does it actually work?

Ramanujan

I've read a lot about compression tights for aiding recovery, but I've never heard any anecdotal evidence.
Have any of you guys tried compression tights for recovery?
At the moment, I'm cycling 25 miles a day into work and back and it's leaving my legs very heavy and dead and the last thing I feel like doing at the weekends is going out on the bike. This coupled with a very manual job is kind of ruining my fun of cycling.

Would compression tights worn in the evening after I get home from my commute help?

thanks
R

teagar

From procycling I've read that a lot of pro riders wear them in their sleep. I think I read somewhere that Boonen might, but that might just be my imagination playing tricks.

Blonde

I also cycle 25-26 miles day to/from work. I also get "heavy legs" but I have a few varicose veins which I think might be the culprits - they can be pretty painful, especially after hard effort, or hilly rides. I wondered if these sports compression jobbies would help with varicose veins - a bit like the "support tights" that I have worn in the past but no one seems to know. I suspect that they may, similarly to support tights, give some temporary relief from discomfort, but that they won't cure the problem.

MrChuck

I've read a lot of people saying they work, but it's hard to tell really- you don't seem to get many people buying into something like this and then saying they couldn't detect any difference!

bobpzero

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=30201

i guess thats what your thinking about. i have a pair of linebreak compression shorts, used them for when i used to do football training. the advantage seemed minimal but quite useful. even the athertons use skins compression tops. i thought compression clothing was only useful for maybe on the turbo trainer.

vitesse169

I bought some compression tights about 3 weeks ago, & use them for about 1-2hrs after each ride/race. I find the support 'feels' good & my legs feel less tired the next day. A racing friend (frodo) uses them all the time - wears them ALL the time & says they make a big difference...

zammmmo

I've been using compression tights for around 6 months now. I use them for a) recovery for 3-5 hours after working out and b) for long runs. Personally, I think they make some difference in these instances. I don't wear compression stuff on the bike and don't really miss it for short races like 10K runs.

I am sure there is a placebo element here - many of the garments make me 'feel' better (from a biomechanical point of view) through their fit and quality too. I think this is also a small mental benefit.

The problem is its very hard to do decent research with something like this. I haven't seen studies along the lines of performance testing over successive days with subjects wearing compression stuff compared with those who have not.

The bottom line is try for yourself.

guilliano

A couple of the MTB mags have been singing the praises of Skinz kit for a while now, and they have just released a set of cycling shorts that I'd like to see a review on....

le_grimpeur

I had a long term calf sprain. Started wearing calf guards (after exercise and after massage), and I believe they have made a dramatic improvement, not just a placebo effect.

bobtbuilder

I have been using a pair of skins full length tights while I sleep after hard rides, and I feel that they make quite a bit of difference to my recovery time.

must-tri-harder

this is possibly worth a read, i wear compression tights overnight after a hard training session and do find some benefit:

http://www.pponline.co.uk/encyc/the-benefits-of-compression-clothing-35846

Flandrianfield

I have been using linebreak compression leggings for about 12 months to assist with recovery after training/racing .

I find them too uncomfortable to sleep in, but do feel they help in reducing muscle soreness after long or intense efforts although I would have to say that my opinion is pretty subjective on this point.

Hope this helps

nferrar

Bought some a few weeks ago after Wiggle brought out some DHB ones (i.e. finally cheap enough just to give it a go). Only worn them so far after a couple of long (3 hour+) rides and my legs did feel better than expected the next morning but then again that happened from time to time before I had them so too early to tell if they consistently help. No plans to use them during exercise though although I probably would try if doing really long stuff (6 hour+).

1@ATIME

Hi Guys, I've not tried compression yet but am also cycling about the same distance 27 miles a day. Can't afford to be tired as I have a 6 month old and thankfully i'm not, are you refuelling after your rides properly? i.e. taking protein/carb mix within 20 mins of finishing your rides? also recommend taking a protein only supplement just before bed.

Colzer1

I got Sciatica in my left leg which at times made be unable to walk due to the pain, despite trips to the Physio and the Doc's along with all the creams, pill etc.. subscribed to help I started wearing compression tights and got instant releif from the pain, they have also let me get back on the bike and start cycling again. so I highly reccomend them

Anonymous

I can see their benefit more on sports where there is more impact, such as running and MTB, wearing them during sport...

Bhima

If you wear them during riding, there are ridiculous claims by some companies of "increased power" due to the fact that they hold your muscles steady and stop wasted energy from slight lateral/unneeded movements but it just seems like marketing to me, otherwise, we'd see the pros using them in TTs, where every opportunity so save watts is grabbed.

As for recovery, I borrowed some and wore them overnight. No noticable difference. The owner of the tights said that they're supposed to replicate the pressures of a massage...

I learned some self-massage techniques though, and that, on the other hand, made a lot of difference, and is free.

Barteos

I think it may be a nutritional problem. I'd focus on proper diet and recovery by taking in 500+ ml of a carbohydrate drink immediately after every ride and eat a healthy low fat meal (not fish and chips:) within 30-60m after. Proper diet will do more to your recovery than a pair of fancy tights.

le_grimpeur

Ramanujan wrote:

I've read a lot about compression tights for aiding recovery, but I've never heard any anecdotal evidence.
Have any of you guys tried compression tights for recovery?
At the moment, I'm cycling 25 miles a day into work and back and it's leaving my legs very heavy and dead and the last thing I feel like doing at the weekends is going out on the bike. This coupled with a very manual job is kind of ruining my fun of cycling.

Would compression tights worn in the evening after I get home from my commute help?

thanks
R

I use the calf guard, and THEY DO WORK. The purpose is to alleviate the onset of lactic acid, and reduce muscle tiredness. I used to wear them immediately after a ride, and sometimes overnight. Now, I use them less. So I have found them to be effective. Even better if you are able to massage the muscles first

ride_whenever

AFAIK i know there is no conclusive evidence, some people seem to get on with them, and others never see a benefit.

You could always try some?

DomPro

Can they double-up as leg warmers?

I might be able to kill two birds with one stone if this works.

Chrisw1980

I have been using the 2XU brand ones for 3 weeks and have found them very good sizing is all important to insure a good fit/benefit. They are very supportive and feel like they hold your muscles in place well. I normally end up wearing them for a good few hours each time....

Chris

ut_och_cykla

Sounds like you're doing too much for your current fitness level. Compression tights may or may not help. Look at skipping some weekday rides if you can, wearing good shoes at work (and/ or good footing where you work - 8 hours standing still on a cold concrete floor is not good!
If you have no other options make sure you're commute is done slowly enough not to be too taxing - stupid slow if necessary. you will get fitter but it will take time - be patient!

And look at your recovery - sleep and food. More protein for a few weeks might help - preferably in real food terms - meat, fish, eggs, low fat dairy - as well as eating enough carbohydrates, bread, rice, pasta, fruit. Don't know if you are but even if you are overweight you need to eat or you will feel exhausted regardless of exercise level and time. Eat sensibly even if you are trying to lose weight.

Good luck!

andrewgturnbull

Hi there.

Compression tights are sooo old school. What you need are a pair of Space Legs:



http://www.slipstreamsports.com/2008/07 ... ery-weapon

Cheers, Andy

Penn

Heres a study abstract titled "The effects of compression garments on recovery"

"In both the CON (control) and CG (compression garment) conditions and for the 5-m sprint (p = 0.014) in the CG condition. All other parameters were unchanged in either condition. Data indicates that CK (creatine kinase) responses and PMS (perceived muscle soreness) might be attenuated by wearing compression tights in some participants after drop-jump training; however, no benefit in performance was observed."


So does nothing for performance, but seems to have some effect on muscle destruction and pain.

Heres the link:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1967 ... d_RVDocSum[/url]

jos2thehua

I was comtemplating shelling out the money for some compression wear at a local cycling shop during my vacation to aid in recovery. However, the prices were very high and I didn't want to make such a risk on something that probably wouldn't help recovery all that much. I think I'll just stick with my ice baths, nutrition, and self-massaging for now until some true profounding evidence comes out that they are much of a benefit.

-Josh

Sirius631

I use a set of compression tights and long sleeve top as part of my regular post ride or turbo session routine. I can honestly say that I've never suffered sore muscles the next day since I started using them, and that includes 5 sequential hard days in Majorca in March. Sore legs always used to be one of my big drawbacks.

deRosaSi

Just a thought, but has anyone tried support tights as in hosiery? They are £2 a pop, do the same thing, come in different compression levels and keep your toes wsrm at night? Sure, they are a bit girly, but a) you're indoors and b) they are low cost. I have bought a pair today and plan to try them after my next big ride.

Si

cougie

Kinky.

Why compression tops ? I can kind of comprehend the idea behind leggings - but compressing the rest of the body - why ?

Unless you have injuries then I think its all placebo effect.

deRosaSi

Surely it's only kinky if you get off wearing them? I probably won't let you know if wearing them turns me on, lol!

Compression tops - no idea???

Si

michaelede

Found they made a noticeable difference when doing back to back days on the Turbo (Tour of Sufferlandria, 8 days of california), got them supper cheap from CRC after christmas. 2XU socks and Skins shorts. Biggest benefit seemed to come from sleeping in them. Couple of times decided it was all in my head and didn't bother and regretted it. Main thing has been lack of aches and heaviness, the 2XU socks are so fecking tight that they could be considered uncomfortable but they have really cut out the tight feeling but the feeling of taking them off is awesome! Foam roll and do SMR as well and it seems to add to that. Don't get me wrong probably not an essential but a nice to have and I guess it depends on whether or not you are the right shape for the cut of clothing you are thinking of buying (i.e. the skins stuff seems to be aimed at people carrying a reasonable amount of muscle)