For sports, special clothing has been developed from special elastic materials. At the same time, it tightly fits the body and, at the same time, does not restrict movement.
By tightly fitting the body, it supports the work of blood vessels and, thus, helps athletes withstand strong and prolonged physical activity during training.
How does compression garments work?
The type of clothing used is selected according to the specific circumstances of the athlete.
The principle of operation of compression garments is as follows. As you know, blood rises through the vessels to the heart, moving gradually from valve to valve, while overcoming the force of attraction.
In a normal human condition, such a system works flawlessly. With each pulse of the heart, blood rises up from valve to valve, eventually reaching the heart. In this case, there is no stagnation of blood and stretching of the walls of blood vessels. But when it comes to increased physical activity, the situation is changing.
Let's not forget that it is not only about heavy loads, but also the body's predisposition to such complications. In case of violations in this area, the blood can stagnate, the walls of the vessels can stretch and the beginning of such serious diseases as thrombosis can be initiated.
Compression underwear evenly and quite strongly presses on the skin, preventing deformation of the walls of blood vessels. As a result, clothing takes on most of the load associated with blood flow. This process has a beneficial effect on the restoration of blood vessels and helps to improve the quality of the entire circulatory system of the body.
Sports lingerie is made differently than for medicinal purposes. It is not only made from other materials, but also special inserts are used to change the tensile force in certain places.
What benefits can such underwear bring?
This clothing is useful not only for its healing effect. It has several other important advantages:
- So, for example, because of its elasticity, it preserves and gives off the energy of body movement to a greater extent.
- Improving the blood circulation process leads to an improvement in the productivity of sports.
- With prolonged or heavy loads, compression underwear protects the athlete from possible damage to the walls of blood vessels or ligaments. As a result, the body improves not only blood circulation, but also lymph circulation. The supply of oxygen to the body improves and the release of harmful substances from it is accelerated.
- It reduces pain and irritation in the body that can occur during sports training.
- Another important aspect is the regenerative capabilities of such garments. When restoring physical strength after intense training, it can be of great help.
- Also, the body temperature of the body is maintained, preventing hypothermia.
- Prevents the onset of cramps associated with strong muscular exertion.
When to use compression garments?
When used correctly, such clothing can not only help with stress, but, in the long run, significantly improve your health. However, wearing it constantly, never taking it off, is not recommended in this case, an overdose effect may occur. So, in what cases is it necessary for an athlete to use compression underwear?
- During strong and prolonged loads.
- If you have a tendency to varicose veins.
- In the process of recovering from hard and tiring workouts.
It is most widespread among athletes who are involved in jogging, cycling, triathlon or mountain tourism.
Contraindications to use
Do not use compression garments when the following occurs:
- In the event that you have low blood pressure, you should not wear such clothes. Its action can further lower it.
- Use is contraindicated for various skin lesions. In particular, this is the case if there is an allergy or eczema, as well as with open wounds or with various inflammatory processes.
- In the event that your health reacts to it in some unusual way when using it, you should consult your doctor.
How to choose the right compression garment?
When choosing the model you need, you need to be very careful about the selection of clothes. Such underwear should fit your figure perfectly. Distortions or sagging of clothes are absolutely unacceptable. It must be remembered that suitable clothing does not chafe or restrict movement.
The most general recommendations for the individual selection of such clothes are as follows:
- It should dress tightly.
- When wearing it, there should be no constraint or restriction of movement.
- In well-made compression garments, the compression ratio is graduated. For lower areas of the laundry, the compression ratio should be higher and decrease as you go up.
Due to the abundance of counterfeits, it is recommended that you shop at specialized stores or from trusted suppliers. Also, a good recommendation would be information that the products comply with the RAL-GZ-387 standard. This is the recognized European standard for this type of product.
Products can correspond to different compression classes. In the classical sense, there are four such classes. It is believed that the first and second of them are used for sports activities, while the third and fourth are used for medical purposes.
If we talk about first class underwear, the compression level does not exceed 22 millimeters of mercury. Well suited for normal loads. The second class is characterized by pressure up to 32 millimeters of mercury. Compression underwear with such characteristics is recommended for intensive training, competition and all kinds of strenuous physical activity.
Compression garment care
Any clothing needs care. Moreover, such a high-quality one like this:
- When using it, it is necessary to wash the set daily. In connection with this circumstance, it is recommended to purchase not one, but two sets of such therapeutic and prophylactic underwear. After all, not only washing is needed, it must still dry in order to be ready for use. In reality, such a care regimen can be provided only when using two sets, and not one.
- Do not wash in any harsh manner. Do not forget that these clothes are not arranged in the simplest way and, when washing, require the most careful attention to themselves. For this you need to take water with a temperature not higher than forty degrees. It is best to use only regular baby soap for washing. In the event that you were going to use an automatic washing machine, refuse it.
- Ironing such kits is strictly prohibited. This can damage the clothes.
- Whitening is also unacceptable.
- You cannot use any fabric softener during the washing process. This could damage this garment.
- Now let's talk about how to properly dry your freshly washed clothes. If you are going to just hang it on a clothesline, just attach it with clothespins, then give up this idea. Clothes can easily stretch and, in whole or in part, lose their consumer qualities. It is also forbidden to twist it. The only acceptable drying option is to use a horizontal surface. You need to carefully lay out the compression garments on it and wait until it dries completely. At the same time, you cannot expose these clothes to direct sunlight, as this can also damage such linen.
- This garment contains silicone strips that are not recommended to be washed in water. It is recommended to wipe them with a weak solution of alcohol.
- It is recommended to store such clothes at room temperature, while avoiding direct sunlight.
The use of compression garments is an important means of preventing health problems in athletes. When used correctly, it can improve not only the level of athletic performance, but also improve the health of the one who uses it.
