Several weeks ago during a visit to our favorite running store, Foot Rx Asheville, I mentioned to Scott Sosha my concern over a nagging muscle spasm in my abdomen that would not go away in spite of regular stretching and yoga exercises. Scott felt I could benefit from compression wear and suggested I give them a try. He gave me a brief (no pun intended) orientation regarding the physiology of compression wear, and how it is designed to relieve muscle tension...
Compression wear is designed to provide a web of targeted support over key areas to reduce muscle vibration during exercise and to provide support during recovery by enhancing muscle relaxation. Variable compression along the web also assists the vascular system to increase circulation, minimizing lactic acid build-up and muscle soreness, so you can be active longer and recover faster. This targeted variable compression technology mimics kinesiology-taping techniques that trainers apply to injured muscles.
Read more about kinesio-taping on our previous post here...
If you are considering compression wear, keep in mind that like anything new, there is a learning curve attached. Thus some trial and error may be in order to find the proper combination of fit and how to use it. I discovered that sizing is extremely important. If recovery and healing are of primary importance, you should go with the smallest size you can squeeze into. Obviously a high degree of compression will have a limiting effect on range of motion, so experimentation is definitely in order to find the correct fit when use is intended for faster running or racing.
Extensive testing has been performed on compression wear to determine if they indeed enhance performance, and the jury still appears to be out on this verdict. Time may prove that this could be highly individual and some runners may benefit while other may not.
Since Scott’s introduction, I have used CW-X Stabilyx Ventilator Shorts and CW-X Pro Tights during easy runs and during periods of recovery. My experience has been that compression wear has lived up to everything claimed, and the muscle spasm problem is now under control. I will definitely continue to use compression wear in the future when injuries are lurking and recovery is of primary importance.
To see the full line of CW-X apparel or to read more information visit www.cw-x.com
If you don't have a running store near you to check these out,
CW-X Apparel: http://tinyurl.com/CW-X-apparel
If you don't have a running store near you to check these out,
CW-X Apparel: http://tinyurl.com/CW-X-apparel
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