Should i invest in a pair of compression socks to support my run training?

2 min read

For some athletes compression kit can almost be a fashion statement but for others, it’s an absolute essential during and after running. Is it worth giving compression socks a try?

Lewis Moses, running advisor for compression brand CEP (cepsports. co.uk) and founder of New levels Coaching (newlevelscoaching.co.uk)

As an athlete I’ve always used compression socks but how I made use of them changed over time. I went from a regular ‘runner seen wearing compression socks’ to a regular ‘not so cool dude’ who walks around the house and streets in a pair of compression socks, usually sporting some shorts and recovery sliders to go with them. Not such a cool look to the general public, but I was more focused on my own recovery to care. The science suggests that compression socks can benefit runners in a number of ways, but I have picked out my three main ones here:

• Improved blood circulation: They enhance the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the muscles and remove waste products like lactic acid more efficiently.

• Reduced muscle vibration: They can provide support to the muscles and help reduce muscle oscillation or vibration. This can decrease muscle damage and fatigue.

• Faster recovery: Wearing compression socks after a run can aid in the recovery process. The enhanced blood flow can help with the removal of metabolic by-products and facilitate muscle repair.

With clear benefits, it’s then up to the athlete to decide how best to use them. Like with anything, what works for one person won’t work for the next, so it’s about trialling things to find out what works best for you. As a coach, I advise the athletes I work with to invest in compression socks. They’re a great way to help the calves recover, which often take a bit of a beating especially after intense running. Would I say you have to invest in compression socks? No, because I believe that you should find out what is best for you, and that you never know until you try. Research has stated that below-knee compression garments show little to no significant improvements in running performance when looking at time trials, maximal and sub-maximal oxygen uptake, blood lactate or strength-related performance

This article is from...

Women's Running Magazine

28 September 2023

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