Between what they eat, how much they rest down to what socks they wear, runners and marathoners have refined their sport down to a precise science. Gone are the days when you head out to the gym in an old t-shirt and a pair of mismatched gym shorts. Over the years, scientists and researchers have refined the development of workout clothes geared toward optimising performance and giving athletes an edge.
A prime example of this is the advances in swimwear over the years and the different swimsuits Olympic athletes wear that have allowed them to shatter records in the pool.
As for fitness and running gear that apparel to a broader, everyday audience, brands like 2XU, Lululemon, and Sweaty Betty have all developed compression wear that supports and enhances athletic performance.
According to a study on compression gear published in Sage Journals, compression tights positively influenced running economy, the amount of energy exerted during exercise, when tights with 65 per cent compression are worn. Olympic track athletes, including Tara Davis and Hunter Woodhall, swear by the support-enhancing fabrics.
According to Lululemon’s chief product officer Sue Choe, compression fabrics like the brand’s new SenseKnitTM combine breathability with support to enhance overall comfort during exercise. The goal, she says, is to provide a “next-to-nothing feeling” that gives runners a distraction-free experience.
Aside from breaking a sweat from struggling to pull a skin-tight pair of compression leggings on, how can they make you a better athlete?
In theory, compression fabrics act as a personal masseuse, pressing and holding in your muscles and veins during exercise to minimise soreness and increase blood flow. The pressure from the material promotes blood flow and encourages oxygen delivery to muscles, enhancing running economy.
Because the fabric can minimise soreness and lower exertion during exercise, some studies have found that wearing compression leggings can slash recovery time.
Compression fabric’s use has extended beyond leggings and socks. Like Lululemon’s new SenseKit collection of running gears, runners can get their hands on sleeves to tanks and sports bras made with compression fabric.
Beyond their support, like Sweaty Betty’s Zero Gravity leggings, the material is often quick-drying and breathable to enhance temperature control.
The cut of these designs is also heavily engineered with targeted support to enhance movement and appearance, like the extra built-in support around the glutes.
But most importantly, as Choe puts it, this new generation of compression gear no longer leaves runners feeling restricted or reduces their range of motion in the name of support.
Also see: What your heart rate reveals about your health, longevity and fitness goals