The Science Behind Compression Devices
By Space Coast Daily // November 22, 2023
Compression therapy, which usually comes in the form of a large device strapped around the leg, arm, or foot, plays a significant role in sports recovery.
These devices use air pressurization to offer a range of benefits to athletes, from enhancing lymphatic flow to reducing muscle swelling.
Understanding Compression Therapy Devices
Compression devices utilize dynamic air compression. This technology is engineered to target specific body areas, such as legs or arms, providing a controlled and effective contraction around your muscles. Unlike traditional compression garments, these devices offer a pulsating massage that actively works on the muscles and tissues.
Compression therapy has been growing in popularity, with the sports industry growing in size and competitors looking to gain any advantage they can. At a high, it’s less about who works harder, and more about who recovers smarter. As overtraining becomes a bigger concern than undertraining, masses of investment has gone into ways to recover more quickly. Compression has become a staple of recovery for many athletes…
Think about compression socks on airplanes – these are to avoid DVT, which is a form of blood clotting. In other words, compression has long been used for improving blood circulation, so it was only a matter of time before sports adopted it too.
Benefits in Athletic Performance and Recovery
A 2017 study highlighted that air pressurized devices enhance flexibility and lessen pain in the legs post-workout. This is crucial for athletes who undergo intense training sessions and require quick recovery to maintain performance levels, whether they want to train again soon after or perform competitively.
Compression therapy is also effective in promoting lymphatic drainage. The lymphatic system, responsible for removing waste products from the body, benefits from the dynamic compression that aids in faster removal of metabolic and lymphatic waste from muscles.
These devices also boost blood flow to targeted areas. Improved circulation is key for delivering nutrients and oxygen to tired muscles and for the efficient removal of waste products, which again, aids in quicker recovery.
Finally, dynamic air compression helps in reducing muscle fatigue and soreness. This aspect is particularly beneficial for athletes in managing Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS) and enhancing recovery time between training sessions or competitions. This makes it great for beginners, who more intensely feel the effects of DOMS, but also experts who train with high intensity.
What About Compression Garments?
Compression garments, distinct from dynamic air compression devices, are clothing items like sleeves, socks, or tights. They apply steady, static pressure to specific body parts. This continuous pressure aids in stabilising muscles and reducing vibration during physical activities, potentially enhancing performance and reducing fatigue. While these garments don’t provide the pulsating massage of dynamic devices, nor are they quite as effective, they’re accessible and can be worn during and after exercise. They’re not so much a replacement for compression devices, but a supplement.
Conclusion
In conclusion, compression therapy, through both dynamic devices and garments, plays a pivotal role in athletic recovery and performance. Dynamic air compression devices offer targeted, intensive recovery support, particularly beneficial for athletes needing rapid recovery. Compression garments, while less intensive, provide continuous support and are more versatile for ongoing use.
