How Compression Pants Work And Why They Are So Popular

Lots of people wear compression gear when they run or workout at the gym, but are they actually doing anything beneficial for you? We spoke with an expert on body movement, Dr. Reed Ferber, director of the Running Injury Clinic, to find out what these articles of clothing are supposed to do. Following is a transcript of the video.

Dr. Reed Ferber: I think compression clothing is so popular, because it's just driven by media.

Runners are looking for the next best thing always. And this just seems to be the flavor of the month that's been hanging around for a couple years.

My name is Dr. Reed Ferber. I hold a PhD in biomechanics, which is the physics of human movement.

Compression gear is any article of clothing, whether it be shirt, pants. Socks are the most common form of compression clothing. Where it constricts the body. 

It's trying to either clear blood more quickly from areas, or it's trying to prevent injury in the first place, by not allowing the body to move in specific ways.

So we'll talk specifically about compression stockings or compression socks.

So generally, you rely on what's called your musculovenous pump. You rely on muscles contracting, and that's what's going to move the blood up from your lower legs into your heart.

The faster, and the more blood you can get out of your legs and back into the general circulation, that blood's going to get scrubbed. 

It's gonna have all the metabolic byproducts of injury and exercise cleaned out of it.

Your body jiggles.

There's a certain amount of vibration that occurs. Your muscles need to tune to whatever environment you're running on. If you're running on something soft, like the grass, there may not be as much jiggle. 

If you're running on the hard pavement, your muscles have to work a little harder, because that's gonna be a bigger shockwave traveling up your system.

So the more your muscles have to tune, the more prone they are to injury, the more byproducts, like lactic acid, your body's going to produce.

So compression socks act to minimize the jiggle, and thereby decrease those metabolic byproducts of injury.

Compression clothing isn't really going to help with more static exercises like lifting weights. They're more designed for dynamic activity such as running.

There's no real science behind the physiological effects of compression clothing. There's been a few dozen studies. They're very small in size. meaning they're only involving a few dozen participants. And the results are mixed.  

So for every one study that says there are benefits to compression clothing, there's another study that says there's no benefits. And there's another study saying that it might actually be harmful to you.

So it's all across the board whether or not compression clothing is actually beneficial.

So the psychological benefits are there. People feel better wearing compression clothing. But the science doesn't support the fact that there's a physiological effect. 

So if somebody's wearing them in the gym to lift weights, for example, they might just feel that it helps them to perform. To lift that heavy weight or perform whatever goal they have for the day. It may just be that little extra that they need to help recover from their injury or prevent injuries as well. 

Have I used compression socks?

Yes. More for the fact that I wanted to get a feeling for what they were all about. They don't necessarily work for me.

They actually cause a little bit of muscle cramping. 

I've tried various sizes, various styles. But for me personally, anecdotally, I just don't like running in compression gear at all.

[jkbrwn]

I love that you make the distinction between physiological effects and psychological effects. People don't realize that the psych-effects.... ARE valid effects :) Sometimes feeling better and more confident leads to better performance. Good work!

[yupperz]

I had deep vein thrombosis in both legs. I wear compression stockings and socks almost daily and they absolutely make a huge difference in how my legs feel. When I don't wear them blood pools in my ankles and make my legs feel tired and heavy. I never wore them before dvt but I'm a believer now

[adewilliam]

I wear compression and tight clothes to the gym because they don't get in the way like baggy/loose clothes, when I sweat they don't get heavier or swing-ier, and it made me feel good about my body, so why not?

[ChurroWaffles]

Compression gear also acts as to trap the heat so you can stay warmer longer. And it acts as a nice base layer in case you plan to go hiking or backpacking. Compression socks are more beneficial imo. As a nurse, I usually stand from 9-10 hours on the job and having something to keep the circulation going unscathed is phenomenal.

[WorldChampInfinity]

I had a calf strain and when I wore my compression socks it made it to where I could move around way better. This guy seems to be biased towards not liking them because he's never had an injury the compression could help. If you have had a calf injury, I would recommend them. Also, I haven't reinjured my calf since I wear them every time I do cardio.

[therealnoodles]

I use it when i play basketball or run. No muscle pain the next day. Really great for removing lactic acid.

[blakeslocum]

The only reason I would get compression clothing is so that my dang phone would stop jumping out of my pocket when I go for runs... Oh please help me haha

[rishabhnagpal]

I wear them in cold weather under shorts. Keeps me warm while giving me more flexibility than a track pant.

[Choy]

For me the best invention ever! Had not had any mayor injury while wearing them. It feels keep all my muscles and my knees in place. I am 45yrs old, I've been wearing them for 5 yrs. The long tights are the most effective. I do play hard, and play soccer matches days in a row.

[Akshay-vquv]

All i am here to know is if i can feel less cold while wearing one

[TristinTayson]

Simplified Conclusion: Mostly a psychological placebo effect based purely off of studies.
-Recommended for high impact sports/activities
-More of a marketing/fashion trend in the fitness industry
-Wear if you want to; it's your money.

[pauljnorg]

I don’t use compression anything for a lactic acid removal method. I have found the biggest benefit to using compression clothing of any sort depending on what my injury is, is just that. It very much has helped me heal faster. It holds muscles in place and constrains them. I think you mentioned that here in your article video blog.

My two cents.

[nicolasismirnioglou]

So, I wear compression tights because I have varicose veins and compression tights and socks can reduce the severity of this and the chance of clotting which can lead to severe health problems like thrombosis. This has been recommended by physicians for me, and it is the most important aspect of compression gear that this segment totally overlooked.

[adriannedeleon]

I started wearing compression gear because of the socks. I was suffering from shin splints for the first time, since I was running in southern swamp land trails where the earth was harsh. I can vouch for compression socks and sleeves.

However, I admit that jumping on the compression clothing band wagon was primarily due to thinking of reducing the lactic acid, but to wear entirely of compression clothing, even the extreme tight ones, caused more harm than good, although most definitely reduced chaffing, and increased dynamics, but still retained cramps.

So my only advice is this:
1) consider the variety of tightness
2) functionality mainly benefits legs and forearms: extremities that receive most impact
3) pants and tops are best for sweat and anti-chaffing
4) wear it to look good regardless

[Amapolaclarita]

i'll need a compression sports bra so that i can run with no pain

[ManoloVintage]

If anyone is watching this video today, compression leggings and socks are for people who get edema- swollen legs, ankles, and feet. The tightness allows for needed blood circulation in your lower limbs, pushing the blood back up to the upper part of the body. It also helps so you don't get swollen as much and in giving a little more support to your weak legs and ankles due to swelling.
Most people wear it because they like the look. I wish I didn't have to wear it but it helps me.

[stevenme]

Veins in my shins hurt all the time. But when I put on my super tight compression socks pain completely goes away. I’m a construction worker I tell buddies about the socks they all say I know I’m wearing them too.

[bronx-calizoo]

Compression pants do help me with my vericous veins pain. I could walk for a longer length without feeling pain.

[ThexBorg]

Compression socks for skiing work fantastically.
Compression thermal underwear also work really well in cold and snow environments.
Thermal compression mesh base layer works fantastically in hyperthermic environments.
Those thermal benefits appear to have been an oversight.

[felipevi]

Totally agree, but medical compression clothes really work in cases of people with varicose veins.