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Compression tights do not help to run faster
Many joggers and long-distance runners swear by the effect of so-called compression tights or compression stockings to improve their performance, endurance and running speed. Researchers have now discovered that using such special garments does not help runners to walk faster or further.
Researchers at Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center found that stockings and tights for compression had no effect on the performance or speed of runners. The doctors published a press release on the results of their study.
Many runners and joggers use so-called compression tights to increase their speed and performance. However, medics have now found out that wearing these special tights will not let endurance athletes run longer or faster. (Image: Kzenon - fotolia) Compression tights do not reduce muscle fatigue
Although compression tights greatly reduce so-called muscle vibrations, they do not help reduce muscle fatigue, compared to running athletes without such tights, the researchers explain. The results of the study were presented at this year's annual meeting of the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM).
Reduced vibration does not reduce the fatigue of the muscles
When your muscle vibrates, it induces an energy-consuming contraction. So far, there has been the theory that less muscle vibration leads to less fatigue, explains author Professor Ajit Chaudhari. The truth is that the reduced vibration is not associated with a reduction in fatigue. For the study, the subjects ran on the treadmill the same distance with and without compression tights.
How exactly did the experiment go??
The participants ran on treadmill for two different days for a period of 30 minutes at about 80 percent of their maximum speed. One day the runners wore the compression tights, the other day they ran without this aid, the researchers explain. With the help of so-called motion capture technology, the physicians tracked the body position of each runner within a fraction of a millimeter. The scientists examined the strength of the legs and the jump height of the participants before and after each run.
Researchers used special treadmill and a heart rate monitor for their study
For their investigation, the researchers used a specialized treadmill with built-in force sensors. These measured how hard the foot of the runners on the treadmill and how hard they repelled. In addition, changes were detected over time, explains Professor Chaudhari. The runners also carried a heart rate monitor to measure their effort during the run.
Tired runners strain their joints stronger?
There is the theory that tired runners change their movements and thereby stress their joints more, creating an increased risk of injury, say the experts. For this reason, scientists investigated whether fatigue is actually slowed by wearing compression tights. Further research has shown, however, that experienced runners do not put more strain on their joints at the end of the workout than at the beginning, the researchers add.
Compression tights lead to perceived benefits
Although the results showed that compression tights did not reduce runner fatigue, they can still provide other benefits, Chaudhari explains. If runners feel better wearing compression tights, this is already a sufficient reason for wearing the special tights. There is no evidence that wearing compression stockings could be bad for the runner, and every little exercise counts in coping with long stretches, say the physicians. For this reason, the tights could help the runners in a special way that scientists can not measure. Additional research will now focus on other aspects of compression tights and potential benefits for runners in terms of performance and post-workout recovery. (As)