The funny thing about compression clothing is the way it looks, most people will say. But the not-so-funny thing about compression clothing is that while many athletes admit that wearing compression socks would probably help their athletic performance, they don’t want to be the ones to start the trend. “The fact that no one else around here wears them, I’m not going to show up out there with them on,” says Tracy Smith, 35, a runner from Palm Bay, Fla. “I have thought about it. Maybe I’ll have to try them out in my neighborhood first.” The health benefits, however, might outweigh the fashion concerns, and compression clothing might just adorn the limbs of more and more amateur athletes as the trend spreads. College and professional basketball players and some elite runners already have adopted the funny-looking sleeves and socks. Compression socks are known mostly as treatment for people with circulation problems. Athletes have found that they can also aid circulation and prevent muscle fatigue during competition. Most users testify to how good they feel on the legs overall. But not everybody agrees. “I really don’t care. I wear them,” says Christian Minor, 21, of Rockledge, Fla. Minor wears compression socks for long training runs, as do many of his Florida State University track teammates. “A couple of the English guys (on the team) raced in them a few times, and they swear by them. … I like the circulation that I get (from the compression socks), especially if it’s cold out,” he says. “In Tallahassee, it gets to be 20 degrees some mornings. I’ll wear the compression sleeves, too. It feels a lot better. If it’s cold out, your calves will be a lot tighter. These will keep you warm.” FSU women’s track coach Karen Harvey introduced the men’s and women’s teams to compression wear. “I’ve always seen Paula Radcliffe wear them, the world record holder in the marathon, and I wondered why she wore those,” says Harvey, who has logged plenty of miles in cold Illinois weather. “I tried them, at first, to keep my shins and calves warm in the winter. But then I started thinking about what Paula had said about muscle fatigue, circulation, recovery, keeping the swelling down, muscle support. There are many benefits to wearing compression socks.” The scientific premise behind the socks is that they use graduated pressure that is heavier at the foot and lessens as it works up toward the knee, aiding in blood flow back to the heart and lungs. Thus, freshly oxygenated blood can return more quickly to the legs, as well. The socks are touted as helping to compress muscles, reducing unnecessary vibration and, thus, reducing fatigue and discomfort. “As far as enhancing performance in healthy athletes, there’s no scientific evidence that it does,” says Dr. Bruce Thomas, a Melbourne, Fla., physician who practices sports medicine and primary care. “There have been a few studies, but … the athletes say they feel comfortable. “Radcliffe really swears by them; she says they make your legs feel fresh and less tired. So far, we’re not able to (test for those factors) but mentally, it probably does help her.” With his experience as team doctor for local high schools and colleges as well as the Milwaukee Brewers’ Class A Brevard (Fla.) Manatees and the Chinese Olympic baseball team, Thomas has worked with many athletes who have had positive results from wearing compression clothing. “A lot of the outfielders wear them because they stand a lot, and they would report less leg fatigue,” he says. “As long as they fit well and they’re not going to occlude the arterial circulation around the toes, the toe box and ankle, there’s no down side.” Jonny Reibel, who plays basketball for Rollins College in Winter Park, Fla., sprained his ankles three years ago and tried the compression socks to wear with ankle braces. “My trainer bought them and he just said they’re good for keeping your legs warm, and muscles tight,” he says. “They feel good. My calves never cramped up, they never felt too loose or tight. They felt good on my legs.” This season, Reibel averaged 20 points, 7.2 assists and 4.8 rebounds per game – all in knee-high compression socks. “(Others) look at me more now as the player with the tall black socks and ask me if there’s a reason to do it,” he says. “I don’t get any cramps, I do it for more the medical reason but not for fashion. But it’s turned into, now when I don’t wear them, they ask why.”

Compression clothing at a glance How it works: The socks use graduated pressure that is heavier at the foot and lessens as it works up toward the knee, aiding in blood flow back to the heart and lungs. Thus, freshly oxygenated blood can return more quickly to the legs as well. The socks are touted as helping to compress muscles, reducing unnecessary vibration, thus, reducing fatigue and discomfort. What it’s made of: Knee-highs found at medical supply stores are made of nylon and spandex, and look and feel like stockings. They’re 80 percent nylon and 20 percent spandex. OxySox, available at Running Zone and www.revelsports.com/Oxysox.asp , look like traditional socks. Composition: 46 percent polypropylene, 38 percent Comfortrel, 12 percent nylon, 4 percent lycra. How they fit: OxySox come only in medium, large and extra large at this time. Medium: women’s sizes 8-10, men’s 4-8. Large: women’s 11-12 , men’s 9-12. Extra large: men’s 13-15. Medical supply store personnel can help find the best fit based on ankle and calf circumference and length to knee. Sizing charts are on the back of the packaging. Some examples of compression clothing: Socks (crew and knee-high); thigh-high hose; full hose or leggings; shorts; arm sleeves. The benefits: Wearers described less muscle fatigue due to reduced vibration; less time needed for recovery; said the clothing aids circulation; keeps muscles warm; reduces leg pain.

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