Welcome to Solidea's Health & Wellness blog, today we are going to gain an insight into a topic concerning runners, from beginners to marathoners: running graduated compression hosiery items.
More and more people opt for graduated compression socks, calf sleeves and knee-highs to improve their performance, reduce muscle fatigue and favour recovery. This kind of garment stimulates blood circulation and helps prevent swelling and heaviness in the legs, especially after a marathon or intense workouts.
Let's grasp when to use them, how they work and what are the benefits for those who love running.
- When to use running compression hosiery items?
- What are the best running compression hosiery items?
- How do running compression hosiery items work?
- How to choose running compression hosiery items?
- What hosiery items to wear for running?
When to use running compression hosiery items?
Graduated compression hosiery items can be used both during sports activities and for post-workout recovery. Wearing them while running helps reduce muscle twitching and boosts tissue oxygenation, improving endurance and muscle stability. After running, they conversely support the drainage of excess fluids, reducing the sensation of swollen and tired legs.
Compression hosiery items are particularly suitable for those who run long distances, such as marathons, and for those who travel frequently for sport challenges and competitions, as they enhance circulation even in case of prolonged immobility. Instead compression sleeves are a valid alternative for those who want look only for calf support without involving the feet.
What are the best running compression hosiery items?
Choosing the fitting running compression hosiery item means taking into consideration some fundamental aspects. The compression level is a key factor: a moderate compression degree (12-15 mmHg) is advisable for running. For recovery and fatigue prevention, a higher compression (18-21 mmHg) is more suitable.
Materials are also essential: hosiery items must be breathable to ensure proper perspiration and to prevent irritation during running. A fine technical fabric helps keep your feet dry and avoid overheating, improving comfort.
For those looking for broader support, the micromassage technology featuring Solidea products boasts a double advantage: it stimulates lymphatic circulation and reduces post-workout swelling, promoting faster recovery.
How do running compression hosiery items work?
The principle behind graduated compression hosiery items is simple yet highly effective. The pressure is higher in the ankle area and decreases progressively moving up towards the knee. This helps the blood to flow more easily towards the heart, reducing stagnation in the capillaries and enhancing muscle oxygenation.
While running, this action allays muscle twitching, decreasing the risk of microtraumas and early fatigue. It also helps reduce the accumulation of lactic acid in the muscles, promoting faster recovery after training.
Compression garments such as calf sleeves and leg warmers offer targeted support for those who want to protect the calf without covering the entire leg. They are highly valued by runners who are look for improved performance without compromising freedom of movement.
How to choose running compression hosiery items?
To get the most benefit, it is crucial to choose compression hosiery items that meet your sports needs. In addition to the compression level and materials, you need to consider the length of the garment: calf sleeves and knee-highs are perfect for those who want specific support on the lower leg, while micromassage leggings provide a complete action on the entire lower limb.
Another aspect to consider is wearability: hosiery items must fit perfectly without feeling excessively tight. Garments that are too tight can hinder circulation rather than improve it, while ones that are too loose may not offer the necessary support.
What hosiery items to wear for running?
There are several types of running hosiery items, each with specific characteristics. Among the alternatives we find:
- Calf sleeves and leg warmers: perfect for those who want to protect and support the calves without covering the feet.
- Technical short socks: excellent for ventilation and protection from sweat, however not provided with graduated compression.
- Graduated compression calf sleeves and knee-highs: they enhance circulation, improve performance and ensure correct recovery during the cool-down phase.
- Micromassaging graduated compression knee-highs and socks: they promote venous and lymphatic return, ensuring correct drainage of liquids thanks to micromassage.
Wearing the type of hosiery items that suits your activity and needs can make a difference when it comes to improve the quality of running and cool down. Discover the Solidea collection and find out the model meets your needs perfectly!
