Compression Tights--How Compression Clothing Can Help Athletic Performance

If you're a runner, sprinter, or cyclist that doesn't wear compression tights, then you are missing out on a number of benefits. Compression running tights and clothing are made of special fabric that shapes the body and ultimately helps an athlete perform better.  In fact many sportsmen and sportswomen sing praises of compression clothing.

Compression tights are becoming more common among successful athletes. Any sport's enthusiast knows that the tiniest amount of inches and small amounts of time makes a huge difference in performance. Optimum performance is essential in almost all sports, and a compression tight can help. These leggings can be used by almost any athlete, from basketball players to cyclists to running and weight lifting.

Women and men's compression tights are made from a thin, stretchy material that is very light and doesn't restrict movement. These leggings are designed to fit snugly around the body for maximum comfort. The benefits of compression leggings and other clothing include:

• Maintaining a perfect temperature for the body. This is especially important for outside activity, since cold air can retract the muscles. When muscles are retracted, they are more vulnerable to injury
• Controls moisture and sweat from the body
• Aids muscle motion for bikers.
• Helps runners achieve longer strides
• Help athlete keep a proper posture
• Makes muscles more powerful and reduces muscle vibration
• Helps with a healthy blood circulation throughout the body
• Helps to prevent muscle fatigue and cramping
  
• Discourages bacteria growth and prevents body odor
  

The benefits of compression leggings isn't just product hype--their effectiveness has actually been confirmed by scientific research.  According to a French study published in the International Journal of Sports Medicine¹, doctors observed that compression tights delay muscle fatigue by applying pressure on the muscle groups.  They found that by controlling movement of the muscles and decreasing trauma by impact, compression clothing allows for maximum oxygen absorption in the blood.  This means that runner can run faster over longer distances.

The author of the study, Stéphane Perrey, Ph.D., concludes that  compression tights can help  trim up to 6 minutes off a 3:30:00 marathon time, possibly due increased blood circulation to the lower body. The study also pointed out that compression tights improved running technique through more consistent and improved knee alignment and function. 

¹Study was published in the International Journal of Sports Medicine in 2006 and authored by Stéphane Perrey, Ph.D.

Men and womens compression tights are readily available and can be easily found in any sporting goods store or online.  Even though there are a variety of brands in different colors, they all pretty much use the same type of material and the weight is similar amongst all products.  Compression tights are available for both the upper and lower body with shirts, sleeves, as well as long and short tights.

Sizes are standard in small, medium, large and x-large.  The most popular brands are Skins, 2xU, CW-X, and Opedix.  Prices vary from $35 on the lower end, upwards to $300 dollars or more depending on size and style.