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How Soccer Compression Socks Can Make You A Better Player

With soccer being an incredibly demanding sport on the leg muscles, and sometimes teams playing twice a week, recovery is more important than ever. More and more athletes have started to use alternate, previously unknown ways of making sure they are ready to play in their best form as soon as possible. Wearing the best possible soccer compression socks is one of the recovery methods in vogue right now.

In soccer compression sock can be used in two ways. Either they are worn during competition, or after the match is over. In the first case the socks can enhance athletic performance and reduce the risk of injuries. In the second case the socks help the circulatory system wash out the waste materials from the muscles.

Are You in a Hurry? The Best Soccer Compression Socks

 

How do soccer compression socks work?

The circulatory system has many different tasks in the human body. For the purposes of this article, the three most important ones are:

  1. transferring of nutrients to the cells.
  2. taking waste materials away from the cells.
  3. helping the immune bodies travel inside the body.

These special socks put pressure on the legs, which help the veins pump the blood quicker towards the heart. The veins inside the legs have to work incredibly hard while the player is standing in order to transfer the blood towards the heart.

If the veins are not as tight as usual, the valves might loose their firmness, and the blood can slow down inside the veins, or even pool up in the really wide veins. By putting pressure on the skin, the compression garment tightens up the veins, leading to quicker blood flow and better overall circulation.

How can soccer compression socks enhance performance?

During competition the socks can have great positive effects on your performance on the field. The blood circulates in the body much quicker, the muscles get a better, more steady supply of nutrients. During the match or training a good supply of oxygen is crucial.

During football matches the body gets energy from two processes. One process is used when the muscles receive enough oxygen. The moment the oxygen is not enough, the body goes to the second energy system. Unfortunately this second system creates waste materials like lactic acid, which builds up inside the muscles, and leads to delayed onset muscle soreness.

How can soccer compression socks reduce injury risk?

Most soft tissue injuries happen as a result of muscle fatigue. The injuries happen as the result of the limb getting into an awkward position, where the muscles or tendons get torn. When the body takes a hit, or makes an awkward move, fresh and strong muscles can rebalance the body and prevent the limbs from getting into a position where they might get injured.

Related: Compression shorts for glute injuries

Wearing compression socks during soccer keeps the muscles in a more confined place. The muscles don’t have as much space to make their moves, as a result they are more economical in making their movements. This means they use less energy. At the same time if the limb suddenly makes an awkward move, the garment holds the limb firmly. It doesn’t allow the limb to get into a position where it might get hurt, injured. The reason you need to choose the best soccer compression socks is because the better quality the garment, the firmer it will hold your limb.

How do they aid recovery?

These products can help in two types of recovery:

  1. Recovery from muscle soreness
  2. Recovery from inflammation

The first type of situation occurs as a result of extensive muscle work. When there is not enough oxygen available for the muscles during the game, lactic acid builds up. This is why your calves and thighs feel tight and sore after a hard match. The process by which the lactic acid is removed from the muscles and broken down is also called lactate metabolism. This process can be speeded up by putting up your soccer compression socks immediately after the game. This way the blood can wash out the lactic acid from the muscles a lot quicker, and you might be ready to train again at your full potential only 24 hours after a game.

Related: Should you wear calf compression sleeves?

In the second situation, the body needs an immune response. This is when the immune bodies have to travel via the circulatory system to the inflamed parts. The compression socks can help by speeding up the blood circulation. This way the antibodies can travel and have an effect exactly where they are needed. Soccer players are the most likely to feel this inflammation at the bottom of their feet.

What do you need to know about the design of the best soccer compression socks?

Most soccer compression socks are graduated models. This means the socks put the biggest pressure on the ankles, and the pressure slowly subsides as the socks get higher up the legs. This way the socks help the veins the most where the gravity’s pull is the largest on the blood inside the veins. As the veins get closer to the heart, the help of the socks is needed less.

Some models have targeted compression technology. These models have extra padding at certain areas that require extra attention. If your achilles tendons are aching, the extra padding of the socks can help the nutrients and antibodies get to the tendons quicker. This way your achilles will heal in much shorter time, and the hurt will eventually subside.

The best soccer compression socks are extremely comfortable. They are just tight enough that they sit on your legs, you might feel a bit of pressure, but that is to be expected. Most models have seamless designs, in order to not let any muscle injuries, such as blisters or rashes happen.

It is paramount that the socks have to be constructed in a way that lets the sweat dry up during the game. After all you don’t want to play in soaking wet socks. It would not be very hygienic. Most models have a little bit of antibacterial silver woven into them, which prevents bacteria from growing as well as fungi development.

Some players don’t want to use these socks, since they don’t want to wear an extra layer under the designated socks of their team. This problem can be fixed with an easy trick. The video below shows you how:

Nowadays shoes are an important means of self expression for most players. Similarly for recreational players the colour of the socks have to match the colour of their team’s jersey. There are a seemingly infinite number of different designs and colours of these product out there. No matter what type you like, you will find the best soccer compression socks for your needs.