benefits of compression socks for cyclists

When worn for recovery after a workout, compression socks can help fatigued legs by getting blood to the foot faster. “It is going to hasten - or give it a boost - up to the heart so you have a return of that blood to be reoxygenated in the lungs more swiftly and pumped back out to the muscles.” “If you wear the compression sock when exercising, you are going to reduce the work,” Derrick said.

She likened the circulatory system to an elevator, which is working harder when having to work against gravity to return blood from the foot up to the heart. While arteries deliver oxygenated blood to the muscles, veins are responsible for returning that blood to the heart to be recirculated throughout the body. This positive effect was also suggested in the results of a small-scale study on male basketball players, published in a 2020 issue of the Journal of Sport and Health Science, which concluded that markers of “muscle blood flow, and muscle oxygenation are increased with sports compression garments.”ĭerrick said that in order to understand these benefits, it’s important to know that veins and arteries are different. When worn during exercise, compression socks can improve the flow of oxygenated blood throughout the body, which can result in more muscular energy and stamina, Derrick said. Though, in order for compression socks to provide physiological benefits, the sock must extend from the ball of your foot to mid-calf (covering the foot and ankle), said Ellen Derrick, M.D., MP.H., F.A.C.S., F.S.V.S., a vascular surgeon and founder of BoxBar Vascular. From an athletic standpoint, these special sleeves or socks can be worn to increase blood flow in the arms, legs or knees while running.

Benefits of compression socks for cyclists