Compression Clothing Helps Athletes, But Is It Affordable for Booster Clubs?

SuperheroCompression clothing isn’t just a fad. Scientific studies have confirmed some of the benefits touted by manufacturers: compression in the threads helps reduce muscle fatigue and post workout recovery. That’s probably due to how it groups muscles and absorbs impact stress. Some also claim that compression clothing helps circulation, in the same way that pro athletes rely on massages to clear the lactose out of their system after a strenuous workout. All in all, compression gear seems to benefit athletes who do endurance running, like soccer and rugby players.

However, compression shorts, shirts, socks and sleeves are pricey. Plus, they need to fit just right. There’s no benefit to wearing compression gear that’s a size too large. So athletic directors might need to shell out extra funds to keep enough variety of sizes if all athletes are going to wear those uniforms. Speaking of which, is compression clothing a “uniform,” or more of a piece of equipment? That terminology might make a difference on teams where students are expected to buy a uniform, but not equipment.

No matter who’s buying the gear, they’ll want to know how durable it is. About.com’s guide to compression clothing mentions that it needs time to “regain it’s shape.” The elasticity that makes the garments so special is also prone to stretching. That happens in the short term, when hot spots like joints get stretched from a workout. In a sense, the clothing has to recover. In the long term, compression clothing might lose it’s elasticity all together, making it nothing more than a pricey thermal layer.

How is compression clothing viewed by you, your athletic director and your coaches? Let us know.

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