Compression socks?

They don't help with cramping ..........

The purpose of compression clothing IS to constrict your muscles to allow the veinous blood to flow back to the heart helping to clear all the crap out of your muscles and get fresh arterial blood to them faster.

You have to understand how the cardiovascular system works to get the concept behind compression stuff.  Your arteries have a built-in compression system to force the blood from the heart to everywhere in the body.  Your veins do NOT and rely on the pump of the heart to get it back (think suction).  So in a sense, the veins are holding up the blood flow overall.  Compression clothing helps to act as a pump-assist to get the veinous blood back.

There is no real evidence that using compression clothing DURING workouts assist in anything (other than making your legs hot).  But there are a lot of people who seem to perceive that it helps - and for them that is why they use them.  There IS evidence that compression clothing assists in recovery AFTER workouts.  That is what I use either my socks or my tights for.  I'll never be caught dead using them in a race ........... at least that is my stance right now until it is proven to be a real tangible benefit.

As someone who suffers from peripheral edema from time to time, I have to say I really like them. They've been a medical garmet for many years. They help a lot from a comfort standpoint. I have a long commute and sit most of the day so they do help reduce the swelling in my lower legs.

I can't speak to the performance benefit. I suspect that the people that swear by them enjoy the calf support more than anything else. They do look goofy as hell though, very 70s.

I have the Zoot brand made by CEP. After a few washings, they are easier to put on, I hope they are applying the same amount of compression that they did when they were new.

Here's some info about edema in case you're interested.

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/edema.html

edited because I pasted the wrong link!

Edited by jeffy_101 2009-07-14 12:00 PM

Is it possible that because of the recovery benefit, OP is training on less fatigued legs, hence muscles get tired more slowly, hence cramping sets in later or not at all?  I have no idea -- just speculating.

As for tightness, I don't see how they could help there, except perhaps by reducing inflammation (which may cause the sensation of tightness).  Stretching works for that too...

Anyway, I love mine for recovery.  I wear them only after my most intense workouts of the week.  A good night's sleep is enough to recover from the rest.

Yes, in a circular way then, they could potentially help with cramping.  But my read is that the OP is asking about using them DURING a race.

I race with them....I think they help. Do I have scientific proof? Nope.