Historical Background
In the outdoor industry, it is often perceived that compression wear is a recent invention. Some brands address it as innovation, promoting their product as groundbreaking.
However, compression therapy is far from innovative: it is a century-old technology that still works flawlessly to this day.
Spinning the time machine back to the very beginning of compression wear, we find ourselves in 450 BC, when ancient Greeks and Romans employed compression bandages to negate gravity – the tightness improved posture, reduced leg fatigue and sped up the wound healing process.
Going forward, in the year 1363, Guy Chauliac, an esteemed French surgeon, published Chirurgia Magna, where compression wear therapy was first prescribed against varicose veins. But it was not until 1839, when Charles Goodyear discovered vulcanizing rubber, that elasticity was added to compression bandages, increasing their effect and durability.
As rubber prices increased in the 1930s, a less environmentally sustainable synthetic elastomer alternative was introduced by US chemical giant DuPont: the neoprene. Albeit petrochemical-based, the new compression bandages reduced lymphedema-induced swelling and prevented limb pain, infections, even some deaths.
What followed was the first compression garment: the compression sock, invented in 1950 by German engineer Conrad Jobst. His discovery not only improved the condition he suffered himself, varicose veins, but it also prevented cases of edema and deep vein thrombosis, due to the pressure it applied on connective tissues, bones and muscles.
Throughout the following three centuries, Jobst’s invention gained popularity, as its use became more widespread, and in the 1980s, compression wear was introduced to the world of sports.
It was runners who first used compression socks to better their blood flow and oxygen levels, whilst also preventing tissue damage, achieving longer runs and more rapid recovery.
With the spike of popularity of compression socks, other compression garments came into existence. Leg sleeves, shorts and T-shirts also emerged, expanding the available range of compression wear. The onset of the 2000s and the popularity of Allen Iverson made a fashion statement out of the compression arm sleeve the NBA star was wearing as injury protection and shooting support. Nowadays, such sleeves come with sensors, which instantly assess the trajectory and speed of each shot.
During the 2014 World Cup, another area of sports incorporated compression wear into their kit. The Italian soccer team updated their jerseys from loose-fitting to compression ones, utilizing the integrated tape to massage the players’ muscles, thus providing on-pitch recovery and minimizing injury. Compression jerseys have since become the standard for soccer players.
Compression therapy is one of the best-researched and implemented technologies in apparel. With its documented medical benefits, it has served in medical situations as pain relief, recovery accelerator, blood flow stimulator and is a trusted technique during travel, pregnancy, training, and post-surgical recovery.
But beyond the field of rehabilitation and prevention, compression wear has proven its ability to accelerate performance. Advancements in fabric technologies and design have focused on enhancing specific muscle groups, and garments like tights, shorts, sports bras, sleeves and swimsuits have emerged.
Nowadays, compression wear has dominated more than one of the recent Olympic games. With its optimized features such moisture-wicking materials, seamless construction and maximum comfort, it has secured new records and gained athletes like Michael Phelps and Usain Bolt a competitive advantage.
The Inner Workings of Compression Wear
For compression to commence, high elasticity in the textile is key. This is often achieved by blending a synthetic fibre like polyester or polyamide with elastane (Spandex or Lycra). The high elastane percentage ensures exceptional stretch and recovery abilities of the fabric. While most stretch garments provide some form of support, compression fabric works as a constant muscle and vein support through its unceasing light squeeze, caused by the fabric’s constant attempts to get back to its original, unstretched shape.
The elastane contents of compression fabric are also crucial for its four-way stretch properties, where the movement commences width-and lengthwise, wrapping itself fully around the body. The synthetic fibres are also essential for compression wear’s durability and ensure other qualities like moisture-wicking and breathability.
The knitted structure of compression wear also allows for zoning in tension: some areas of the design of the knitted structure could incorporate the compression more intensely than others, as to enhance blood flow to certain regions of the body. Such configuration also allows compression garments to stay both skin-tight and comfortable while worn.
Construction And Contents
The way most compression wear is constructed mostly requires circular knitting machines, which produce a tube of thinly knitted fabric out of a yarn blend, later cut at one seam point for seamless, or flat knit machines, which manufacture a thick fabric sheet, then split and assembled into cut-and-sew garments. Seams are often executed as a flatlock to stop the skin areas around them from chafing. Smooth fabric surface and the lack of any tags, loops, or wrinkles serve the same purpose.
As we touched upon above, most compression materials include a synthetic blend of either polyamide and spandex (most commonly 75-25) or polyester and spandex (80-20). It is, therefore, the spandex (or another brand of elastane) that creates the compression effect, though some nylons possess mechanical stretch as well. Spandex content of 12-30 per cent is often used to create powerful elasticity and bounce-back, with higher percentage usually meaning higher compression. More high-quality elastane also helps garments retain their elasticity for longer, withstanding more repeated washes, while retaining the same compression.
Important qualities of good compression fabrics are moisture-wicking and breathability, which prevent overheating and allow sweat permeability, but, above all, compression should feel stabilizing and supporting, rather than restrictive. Snug and squeezy feeling is what one should look for in compression garments, rather than excessive tightness or discomfort.
That said, improvements of yarn qualities, blend ratios, and ergonomic paneling occur constantly in the sportswear industry, thus ensuring increased elevation in the comfort and efficiency of compression wear.
Physiological And Psychological Effects of Compression
When it comes to efficacy, one of the crucial effects of compression wear on the human body is improved blood circulation. This is very important because during intense exercise the heart and blood vessels are under increased pressure to keep up with the exoskeletal pace. Slow and deep breathing, stretching before training are, thus, essential parts of keeping regular blood flow. Compression garments, on the other hand, create the external squeezy pressure the limbs need to prevent gravitationally induced blood pooling and make blood flow to the heart more effective. Other effects of compression are faster and more efficient oxygen flow to the muscles, which considerably reduces fatigue and enhances endurance.
Furthermore, the stability compression garments provide greatly reduces the excessive muscle vibration, which contributes to soreness, structural muscle damage, and fatigue. It also serves as a movement awareness technique: a constant tactile reminder of the body’s positioning in space, which helps athletes gain better posture and balance during exercise. Pressure around joint areas, like ankles, elbows, and knees, also mitigates some of the force on the joints, thus lowering the risk of overuse and injuries.
When it comes to post-exercise inflammation and swelling, the pressure, provided by such garments, limits the space for swelling and pushes potentially accumulated fluids like lactic acid, out through the lymphatic and venous systems, significantly reducing any risks of inflammation or soreness. This is why compression wear is also a popular choice in the recovery stage of intense training, during long periods of sitting, standing, or during pregnancy. Post-workout, it is advised to wear compression garments immediately after exercise for as long as 24 hours, depending on the intensity of training.
On a psychological level, compression wear brings unmatched advantages. Olympic athletes regularly report feeling empowered by their competitive advantage, or more supported and ‘ready’, secure and less fatigued, especially during endurance competitions. Less energy wasted on micro-movements also helps athletes focus on their main activity and control their technique.
Whether physiologically or psychologically induced, higher jumps, faster races, as well as technically better sprint performance, have been attributed to compression wear, making it an integral part of both athletic performance and recovery.
Types of Compression Garments and Their Use Case
Compression wear has had more than 2400 years of evolution; therefore, it is implemented in almost every type of performance apparel and accessories.
One of the most popular compression items is the compression sock. Not only is it the oldest compressive apparel, but it is also employed by a wide variety of users: runners, triathletes, long distance flyers and varicose vein sufferers alike, to apply much needed pressure on the knees and lower legs.
Either full length, shorts, or 3/4s, compression tights are equally as widespread, covering a wide area of zones in need of pressure. Athletes in a variety of fields like weightlifting, track, soccer, and basketball use compression tights to support their hamstrings, quads, glutes, calves, knees and ankles, also achieving whole leg stability.
Catering to the upper part of the body, compression arm and elbow sleeves have also gained popularity. Mostly worn by tennis, basketball, and baseball players, as well as weightlifters and golfers, they give support to the elbows, biceps, and triceps, and keep arms steady and warm.
Used for more precise zoning, knee sleeves are most often used by weightlifters for better lifting form, but they also circulate amongst runners, skiers, and hikers, especially to support the knees with mild injuries. Knee sleeves are usually made of circular knit tubes and include neoprene placements for better joint support.
Used as a base layer in virtually any sport, compression tops come in a variety of cuts: long sleeved, short sleeved, or sleeveless. Their main job is to support the torso and upper arms. They are also used by American football and hockey players to reduce chafing under the pads, but runners and hikers regularly wear them in colder climates to keep warm, reduce the micro-movement, improve posture and reduce upper body soreness.
A less popular compression item is the full body suit, which is only used in a smaller pool of sports like swimming, skiing or skating, to facilitate full body support, streamlining the athlete’s hydro- and aerodynamics and giving them a powerful advantage. They are also used as recovery suits for full body rehabilitation after intense activity.
How To Choose Compression Wear
When choosing personal compression garments, the first question to ask oneself is for what purpose one needs them. As a general rule, higher compression, restricts the movement and is a better choice for post-exercise recovery or even medical use. Dense compression is unbeatable in boosting blood circulation, but not advisable during high intensity output, as it is too tight and might restrict the body.
When deciding on compression levels, one can let themselves be guided by the label of a product, though it varies from person to person which compression level they feel most comfortable in. When it comes to general guidelines, however, mild compression ranges between 15-20mmHg, moderate is measured 20-30 mmHg, and firm is between 30-40 mmHg, indicating pressure.
Most medical compression is positioned in the firm range, whereas sports garments are generally positioned anywhere between mild and moderate. If you’re wondering what suitable compression wear feels like, it brings a sensation of snugness and support, without numbness or pain. It is advisable for first timers to go for mild compression with the possibility to move upwards in compression as they progress and wish to increase the support. Most sports do not require high pressure, as the time spent in a compression garment is ultimately more important than the level of squeeze.
Although most brands do provide a measurement chart, around which customers can orientate themselves of their compression needs, it is advisable to physically try compression wear on, as different labels have different definitions of sizing. Albeit difficult to nail, sizing is crucial when it comes to compression wear. The garment should feel like a second skin once fully in place, even if putting them on requires a bit of effort.
Deciding on which piece of compressive apparel to go for might also require a little background information. It is best practice to observe one’s body during exercise. With runners, for instance, if the calves get most fatigued, it is best to support them with socks, if the area of the thighs gets the rough end of the exercise, it is best to opt for shorts, and if it is general support in the lower body one needs, or pressure in a few of the areas of this region, it is advisable to go for full length tights, which cover most joint and muscle groups and offer overall increased blood circulation.
The temperature of the external environment also plays a role when choosing compression garments, as full length is more suitable for lower temperatures, while garments like shorts are better suited for hot weather.
In this vein of thought, one should also pay attention to the thickness of the garment. As outlined above, most seamless products will have a thinner quality, and most cut-and-sew garments will be thicker. There are, of course, exceptions to this rule, depending on the desired result and manufacturing technique.
Thinner materials, apart from cooler, are more breathable and quick-drying, but one needs to also investigate the moisture-wicking properties, as well as the hand feel, and construction of their compression garment. Seamless garments tend to work better for sensitive skin, and natural dyes help reduce skin irritation.
Although good quality compression wear tends to be quite expensive due to material, construction and testing costs, once identified as comfortable and suitable for the use case, it can last a long time.
Taking Care of Compression Wear
In order to extend your garments’ life, there are a few relatively easy things you can do, starting with washing your compression wear on a regular basis. Extensive workouts cause bodily sweat and oils to build up, and, in time, these can degrade the quality of the elastane in your garment. The cycle should be gentle, with cold water (maximum 40C), and without harsh detergents or softeners, which can also cause the fiber’s elasticity to plummet. Best practice is to place items in a mesh laundry bag to prevent any snagging and damage.
Once, clean, compression wear should air dry, and heat altogether, as well as ironing and prolonged periods of direct sunlight, should be avoided, since they cause the fibers to lose their stretch and their compression properties.
Usually, compression garments retain their peak shape and support in the first six months of their regular use, however, proper care and good initial quality may boost their lifespan.
Where Is Compression Going?
Those, already familiar with some compression wear brands might know of the method of graduated compression, providing gradient support throughout the affected body sections, however, zoned compression is a relatively new feature, where specific areas of the garment provide more support, while other areas are left less tight and more relaxed. Popular sections for increased pressure design include the ankles, thighs, and calves. This way, the joints and muscles in need of support are provided such, while movement remains unrestricted for the other areas of the body.
Another way to provide zone-specific support is the usage of silicone lines, printed on the inside of some compression garments. These and the alternative kinesio tapes provide even more localized pressure zoning and are often utilized in cases of injuries, for example.
Apart from advancements in zoning, durability of stretch yarns has also improved in recent years, allowing for a longer life span of compression garments.
Embedded in the material cooling technologies are also an existing and much appreciated feature in compression wear. As the pressure, applied to the skin and muscles, generates extra body heat, moisture wicking and cooling yarns are implemented in a lot of the products from the current product offering in the segment.
Most interestingly, there is the recent possibility to integrate sensors in the knit of compression wear fabrics, which, in turn, allows the app-conducted tracking of various health-related metrics like heart rate, muscle vibration, and pressure. As an addition to wearable technology in compression wear, the integration of responsive to those metrics materials is currently in its development stages. This means that, in the future, garments will be able to not only track an athlete’s calf pressure, for instance, but also tighten or release as a reaction to the detected metrics.
In terms of sustainability, many stretch yarns are now available in not only recycled, but also bio-based and occasionally biodegradable qualities. The potential is huge in terms of both materials and coloring options, with cold dye and garment dye gaining on popularity among brands.
How far compression wear has come is seen in tights, which have evolved from a key but unpopular tool for muscle recovery to an everyday staple, providing not only support but also comfort. Compression fabrics, once used solely as medical recovery, are now an integral part of professional athletes’ attire and an indispensable component of our daily lives.
It is because of compression wear’s undeniable functionality and its ability to evolve in reflection of society’s shifts in priorities and pursuits that I am convinced of one thing: it will continue to be one of apparel’s brightest signifiers of time.
Any innovation in material, construction, or wearable technology will first be reflected in compression wear, because it is the sector of sportswear with the biggest impact on human health, performance, and wellbeing.
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