Calf compression sleeves
- Thread starter Shaun Mac
- Start date
I recently picked up a pair
I recently picked up a pair of calf compression sleeves in an attempt to address some lingering issues I've been having with calf tightness and knots. I have yet to wear them during my runs... although I probably will. I have instead opted to wear them after my runs to help with recovery since this is generally when I get the most tightness.
I have worn them overnight and even to work. They feel nice... warm and supportive.
Has it helped? Answer... I think so. Although I did start using "the stick", massaging, and stretching post run too so those changes are almost certainly at play here as well.
My calf issues are much improved.... not perfect... but getting there.
S. Pimp.
I recently picked up a pair of calf compression sleeves in an attempt to address some lingering issues I've been having with calf tightness and knots. I have yet to wear them during my runs... although I probably will. I have instead opted to wear them after my runs to help with recovery since this is generally when I get the most tightness.
I have worn them overnight and even to work. They feel nice... warm and supportive.
Has it helped? Answer... I think so. Although I did start using "the stick", massaging, and stretching post run too so those changes are almost certainly at play here as well.
My calf issues are much improved.... not perfect... but getting there.
S. Pimp.
I think I'm on the verge of
I think I'm on the verge of springing for a pair soon. Any favourites to recommend? I saw a hot pink pair that I think would be stunning!
I think I'm on the verge of springing for a pair soon. Any favourites to recommend? I saw a hot pink pair that I think would be stunning!
The idea is that they provide
The idea is that they provide compression (obviously
) and thereby increase blood flow and then "Squeeze out" lactic acid. Some say the increase in blood flow actually helps you perform better during the run, and others that it helps keep your calves from being sore (or as sore) the next day.
Though I rarely wear them, they are certainly in my arsenal! On long runs I'll wear them, or on days where I'm feeling a little sore already (I also use them some After a run if I'm feeling 'tight' for recovery).
The hot pink ones you saw would most certainly be Zensah's, which are very good - I've been fortunate enough to get to review a 1/2 dozen different brands of calf sleeves on my blog and most of them were quite good (Zensah, CEP, Sugoi, RecoFit, etc). My personal favorite are the CEPs
The idea is that they provide compression (obviously
Though I rarely wear them, they are certainly in my arsenal! On long runs I'll wear them, or on days where I'm feeling a little sore already (I also use them some After a run if I'm feeling 'tight' for recovery).
The hot pink ones you saw would most certainly be Zensah's, which are very good - I've been fortunate enough to get to review a 1/2 dozen different brands of calf sleeves on my blog and most of them were quite good (Zensah, CEP, Sugoi, RecoFit, etc). My personal favorite are the CEPs
I would think compression
I would think compression would restrict blood flow. Someone, please explain this to me.
I would think compression would restrict blood flow. Someone, please explain this to me.
Simple answer: Compression
Simple answer:
Compression has been used in the medical field for years to increase blood flow (deep vein thrombosis, cure/prevent blood clots by increasing blood flow in dormant patients or post-op patients, etc.) and there's a ton of research to support this in the medical community. For runners, we of course use them for similar reasons:
1. increases blood flow (thereby increasing oxygen supply to the muscles) - most companies use some form of "gradient compression" where it's tightest on the ankle and slowly lessens in compression as it moves up to the knee. The main idea behind this is that blood is believed to 'settle' some, whether while resting or exercising, causing the blood (and oxygen supply) that we need to be hanging out around our ankles and not up in our calf muscles.
2. the second idea for athletic (running specifically) use of compression is the idea that the constant vibration of your muscles (each time your foot lands there's a ripple of vibration through your muscles) exacerbates DOMS (Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness) and by stabilizing those muscles with compression gear, you cut down on the vibration and therefore cut down on soreness.
So it's designed to increase performance (I'm not completely sold on this one - but that could be due to the fact that I will never be dealing in the "seconds" business), aleviate soreness/decrease recovery time (anti DOMS)
Simple answer:
Compression has been used in the medical field for years to increase blood flow (deep vein thrombosis, cure/prevent blood clots by increasing blood flow in dormant patients or post-op patients, etc.) and there's a ton of research to support this in the medical community. For runners, we of course use them for similar reasons:
1. increases blood flow (thereby increasing oxygen supply to the muscles) - most companies use some form of "gradient compression" where it's tightest on the ankle and slowly lessens in compression as it moves up to the knee. The main idea behind this is that blood is believed to 'settle' some, whether while resting or exercising, causing the blood (and oxygen supply) that we need to be hanging out around our ankles and not up in our calf muscles.
2. the second idea for athletic (running specifically) use of compression is the idea that the constant vibration of your muscles (each time your foot lands there's a ripple of vibration through your muscles) exacerbates DOMS (Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness) and by stabilizing those muscles with compression gear, you cut down on the vibration and therefore cut down on soreness.
So it's designed to increase performance (I'm not completely sold on this one - but that could be due to the fact that I will never be dealing in the "seconds" business), aleviate soreness/decrease recovery time (anti DOMS)
First in response to the
First in response to the lactic acid comment I must post this- http://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/16/health/nutrition/16run.html and just for good measure in case you think I found one individual case http://www.google.com/search?btnG=1&pws=0&q=lactic+acid+myth
Secondly in response to the actual question. I do have a pair and I sort of like them. I think they are kinda pointless for shorter runs and I don't like running in them at all. However after really long runs during hard weeks they really do make a huge difference. I wear them when I get done with the run because running in them annoys me. However they also do seem to help during runs. When I ran my first 50k I had them with me because I thought it might help if I got cramps. Near the end everything froze up and I sat down and cried (its been long enough I'm not too proud to admit that lol). I put them on since at that point why not, and I was able to finish up the last three miles, not super comfortably or anything but its better than what I would have done without them. The second 50k I was smarter and put them on the second I felt the least bit of discomfot in my calves and they were fine (well as fine as could be expected anyway) until the end.
Besides not likeing the compression feeling, I also don't run in them because I feel like maybe that damage we are doing to ourselves by running without them could be good in the long run (no pun intended). I mean aren't we just providing support, this time to our calves, but isn't this the very thing that we've all actively fought society on about our feet? If I think my feet should be able to do most of the work with little to no support why would I cut my calves that break. So I go run, damage them as much as I can and then do everything in my power to get them to heal as quickly as possible.
So to recap, yeah they are great even though I hate running in them :-D.
First in response to the lactic acid comment I must post this- http://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/16/health/nutrition/16run.html and just for good measure in case you think I found one individual case http://www.google.com/search?btnG=1&pws=0&q=lactic+acid+myth
Secondly in response to the actual question. I do have a pair and I sort of like them. I think they are kinda pointless for shorter runs and I don't like running in them at all. However after really long runs during hard weeks they really do make a huge difference. I wear them when I get done with the run because running in them annoys me. However they also do seem to help during runs. When I ran my first 50k I had them with me because I thought it might help if I got cramps. Near the end everything froze up and I sat down and cried (its been long enough I'm not too proud to admit that lol). I put them on since at that point why not, and I was able to finish up the last three miles, not super comfortably or anything but its better than what I would have done without them. The second 50k I was smarter and put them on the second I felt the least bit of discomfot in my calves and they were fine (well as fine as could be expected anyway) until the end.
Besides not likeing the compression feeling, I also don't run in them because I feel like maybe that damage we are doing to ourselves by running without them could be good in the long run (no pun intended). I mean aren't we just providing support, this time to our calves, but isn't this the very thing that we've all actively fought society on about our feet? If I think my feet should be able to do most of the work with little to no support why would I cut my calves that break. So I go run, damage them as much as I can and then do everything in my power to get them to heal as quickly as possible.
So to recap, yeah they are great even though I hate running in them :-D.
Just an update, I purchased a
Just an update, I purchased a pair of the Zensah calf sleeves a few weeks ago and have been using them on my runs. Feel really good, and my calves never seem sore after I run.
Just 2 days ago I did 3 miles and didn't put them on, yesterday and today my calves have been really sore.
Just an update, I purchased a pair of the Zensah calf sleeves a few weeks ago and have been using them on my runs. Feel really good, and my calves never seem sore after I run.
Just 2 days ago I did 3 miles and didn't put them on, yesterday and today my calves have been really sore.
I suspect running with
I suspect running with compression on your calves will effect natural body mechanics as our legs wern't evolved to function with compression applied.
Eventually you will adapt to rely on them, the manufacturers will be happy because they can sell you a product, but take them off to run free again, and oh my...... your leg mechanics have changed.
In twenty years time someone will write a book on bare calf running when everyone gets injured because of these things.
I suspect running with compression on your calves will effect natural body mechanics as our legs wern't evolved to function with compression applied.
Eventually you will adapt to rely on them, the manufacturers will be happy because they can sell you a product, but take them off to run free again, and oh my...... your leg mechanics have changed.
In twenty years time someone will write a book on bare calf running when everyone gets injured because of these things.
NickW
Guest
Thats funny Skedaddle. I'm
Thats funny Skedaddle. I'm not sold on them either, that being said though, I do have a pair. I can honestly say I can't tell any difference with or without them. Maybe it's just me. I wore mine today only because it was a little chilly and I just wanted to keep my legs warmer. Mine fit more like a tube sock though, so maybe the salesman that measured my calf sold me the wrong size, I dunno. I bought them during my two month quest to heal my calf. Turned out all I needed was to stop stretching.
Thats funny Skedaddle. I'm not sold on them either, that being said though, I do have a pair. I can honestly say I can't tell any difference with or without them. Maybe it's just me. I wore mine today only because it was a little chilly and I just wanted to keep my legs warmer. Mine fit more like a tube sock though, so maybe the salesman that measured my calf sold me the wrong size, I dunno. I bought them during my two month quest to heal my calf. Turned out all I needed was to stop stretching.
I've been wearing them
I've been wearing them overnight after runs and find that they have significantly reduced or eliminated the calf soreness I'd been experiencing since I started running barefoot last year. I have a set of Zensahs and a set of 2XUs. Using the sizing guidelines on their sites, my 13" calves are a S/M in the Zensahs and XS in 2XU. I find the 2XUs apply more compression, but they don't cover as much of my calf and the grippers at each end dig in a bit. The Zensahs have less compression overall and are made of slightly thicker material than the 2XUs, but still fit very snugly. My preference is for the Zensahs just because they're more comfortable to wear.
Haven't tried wearing them _during_ a run yet.
I've been wearing them overnight after runs and find that they have significantly reduced or eliminated the calf soreness I'd been experiencing since I started running barefoot last year. I have a set of Zensahs and a set of 2XUs. Using the sizing guidelines on their sites, my 13" calves are a S/M in the Zensahs and XS in 2XU. I find the 2XUs apply more compression, but they don't cover as much of my calf and the grippers at each end dig in a bit. The Zensahs have less compression overall and are made of slightly thicker material than the 2XUs, but still fit very snugly. My preference is for the Zensahs just because they're more comfortable to wear.
Haven't tried wearing them _during_ a run yet.
NickW
Guest
Ok, an update from yesterdays
Ok, an update from yesterdays run with the Zensah compression sleeves on. I hurt today, to the point that I cancelled my Saturday run. I don't know that it was the compression sleeves, but they sure didn't help to alleviate the pain. It's muscle pain, so no injury, but I don't think these are as great as they are hyped to be. Also, any compression sleeves I've seen from Drs they squeeze, then relax, squeeze, then relax. These never relax, they're always squeezing. Not sure if that makes any difference or not.
Ok, an update from yesterdays run with the Zensah compression sleeves on. I hurt today, to the point that I cancelled my Saturday run. I don't know that it was the compression sleeves, but they sure didn't help to alleviate the pain. It's muscle pain, so no injury, but I don't think these are as great as they are hyped to be. Also, any compression sleeves I've seen from Drs they squeeze, then relax, squeeze, then relax. These never relax, they're always squeezing. Not sure if that makes any difference or not.
i dont really trust them, but
i dont really trust them, but they seem like they would be pretty nice when its cold out.
i dont really trust them, but they seem like they would be pretty nice when its cold out.
NickW wrote:I can honestly
I only notice a difference when I'm around the 18+ mile mark on already relatively fatiqued legs. I don't even bother putting them on after (and certainly not during) for anything shorter than that unless for some reason I'm super super tired. I know people swear by them for shorter amounts of running too, but I really only feel like they help when I start approaching my limits of my calf muscle's abilities. Maybe this is just because I'm so insanely slow that I don't stress my muscles at all on shorter runs? I rarely to never do speed work and I've never tried them on those types of run so maybe that would change my feelings on them for shorter runs as well. I don't really know.
NickW said:
I only notice a difference when I'm around the 18+ mile mark on already relatively fatiqued legs. I don't even bother putting them on after (and certainly not during) for anything shorter than that unless for some reason I'm super super tired. I know people swear by them for shorter amounts of running too, but I really only feel like they help when I start approaching my limits of my calf muscle's abilities. Maybe this is just because I'm so insanely slow that I don't stress my muscles at all on shorter runs? I rarely to never do speed work and I've never tried them on those types of run so maybe that would change my feelings on them for shorter runs as well. I don't really know.
