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Compression
Rating
Compression clothing (calf sleeves, arm sleeves, shorts) fits tightly around the muscles, creating graduated pressure — stronger at the distal part of the limb and lighter closer to the body.
In detail
The effects claimed by manufacturers (improved blood flow, reduced muscle vibration, faster recovery) are only partially and rather modestly confirmed by research — compression is more about being subjectively comfortable and slightly reducing the feeling of leg fatigue than providing a significant performance boost.
How to use it
If compression calf sleeves or arm sleeves subjectively help your legs feel fresher during or after long distances, feel free to use them — there's no proven harm, and the placebo effect is real and useful too.