The running activity is one of the most acclaimed usually by all types of people. The reason for this is that it fits any individual and schedule and is very inexpensive, although a good pair of athletic shoes is always necessary. However, the constant debate among many lovers of this sport is curious, since they have strong opinions about their preferences when choosing running clothes .
Of course it is a matter of everyone’s taste when making the purchase, but if it were a bet to know, for example, what type of shorts are best for running : Which one would win? The normal shorts or the compression shorts that stick to your body?
Is running in compression shorts beneficial?
The vast majority of shorts that we see in clothing stores are made from the same basic materials. They are made from synthetic fibers that have the ability to absorb very little water and dry quickly to prevent the build-up of sweat . For this reason, we can see how this type of clothing is usually referred to as “capable of absorbing all sweat”.
On the other hand, compression shorts are commonly made of elastic fabric, which can stretch and accommodate the body of all types of individuals, unlike traditional shorts, which are simply baggy to allow you greater mobility and make you feel cooler and more comfortable. in your training routine. In addition, these shorts come with convenient pockets for time to store small personal items: such as keys or an identification.
However, compression shorts claim to be more suitable for improving the blood circulation of the muscles. If you feel like they are not the type of clothing you would wear on a daily basis, you can wear them under your regular gym clothing – no one will notice.
Research on compression shorts
The big question you will be asking yourself by now is: Are compression shorts more helpful than traditional shorts in training? We can base our answer on the testimonies of some athletes in a study published in Sports Medicine .
In their experience, they say they have noticed some benefits related to endurance. That is, they had a greater capacity when doing exercises and a greater capacity for recovery after training (Engel, Holmberg & Sperlich, 2016).
Another great plus is that, due to the fit of compression shorts , sore muscles can be reduced after a hard session in the gym. Therefore, it is a good decision to lean towards this type of fabric if you are thinking about lifting a lot of weight or running very hard.
But not everything is rosy: sadly no real connection has been found between compression shorts and an improvement in running performance. However, it is not harmful to use them either.
What to consider when buying running clothes
Nothing will change your mind if you feel more comfortable in compression shorts than with traditional shorts or vice versa. Also not using one of the two will make you an experienced athlete and marathon runner. As long as you’re not going out of your way to afford a pair of shorts, do what feels best for your body and routine.
Also, one of the most important things is to feel comfortable with your sports equipment: that way you can achieve better performance. If, instead, you focus too much on appearance, you may be sacrificing comfort, and when it comes to exercising you cannot focus on what is really important.
Therefore, your best option is to opt for the style that best suits your silhouette and needs.
References
- Engel, FA, Holmberg, HC and Sperlich, B. (2016). Is There Evidence that Runners can Benefit from Wearing Compression Clothing? Sports Medicine . doi: 10.1007 / s40279-016-0546-5
- Isadora, B. Can Compression Shorts Make You a Better Runner? For Livestrong. [Revised August 2019].
