Professional athletes are not alone in attracting injury. Weekend warriors and post work amateurs get broken bones, tear ligaments, and host a range of injuries to knees, elbows, feet, etc. While operations and retirement from sports are the ultimate extremes on one end, athletes look to sports medicine and related products to stay in the game.
What About Braces?
You’ve seen athletes wearing braces on their arms and legs. While it does provide added support and protection, it restricts motion, which is not a sought side effect, especially when performance is crucial. Therefore, sleeves are a popular alternative since the support is still provided yet the range of motion is freer.
Bad Technique
In worst case scenarios, weight lifters and other athletes learn poor technique. While some may get away with providing results using poor technique, over time, such will wear on the body. Compression sleeves help correct poor posture by giving added support while an athlete’s fine muscles are built and true form is mastered.
Post Injury
After an injury, an athlete needs to regain confidence. For one, muscles likely have lost some memory of motion. Also, depending on the nature of an athlete’s injury, they may be reluctant to fully engage their muscles or go at full speed. Knee compression sleeves give that added support which inspires the confidence boost a recovering athlete needs.
Doctor Advice
It’s best practice to get the advice of your doctor if you think you have sustained an injury or if you believe you’re ready to return to game play after an injury. While compression sleeves are effective in many instances, a sleeve is not as protective as a brace. However, only a certified physician can make the best call as to what protective gear to use.
Added Benefits
Athletes wear protective sleeves on their legs and arms for reasons other than treating a recent injury. For example, such gear is great in colder temperatures. While it may be ‘macho’ to play in cold weather, scientifically speaking, your body performs better when your muscles are warm. Also, long garments protect runners from poison ivy, prickly bushes, and other things along the trail.
Muscle Support
Compression sleeves support the muscle and help prevent soreness during and after activity. When muscles grow tight, they are prone to pulls and injuries. A sleeve keeps the body warm and muscles soothed.
Better Circulation
A compression sleeve promotes better blood flow, which helps athletes come back from a small or larger injury. Aside from proper rest, a body area needs to recover from an injury. Better blood flow means a speedier recovery.
Skin Protection
Sleeves protect an athlete’s skin from coming into contact with another’s blood and sweat, shield skin from harmful sun rays, and guard skin from getting scratched and bruised. In addition to recovering from injury, a body area may be sensitive to touch, so protecting it keeps one’s mind off a wound and head in the game.