Basketball players often wear tights, both short and full. It might look as if they’re a fashion statement but there’s actually a number of reasons why they’re worn.
What Are Tights?
You’ll often see them referred to as simply tights, but their technical name is compression shorts or tights. They’re worn to prevent muscle strain, while also absorbing sweat and allowing maximum blood flow. Most athletes will wear them to combine both enhanced performance and additional comfort.
Why are They Worn Tights?
1. Compression Tights Prevent Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS):
Basketball players endure massive physical training and exercise in preparation and during a game. Once over it’s common to experience muscle fever. And while doctors aren’t sure and can’t pin-point why humans experience this, wearing compression tights seems to alleviate it.
During physical strain, the muscle undergoes micro-tears, which aren’t life-threatening but can hinder and prevent players from peak performance. The soreness experienced because of this can and will be reduced with the use of compression tights.
Wearing compression tights during training sessions can help reduce muscle oscillation and the muscle soreness they bring.
Doctors aren’t yet able to explain the reasons behind onset muscle soreness. Many basketball players believe massage, along with ibuprofen can help to control the pain. But if you experience extreme DOMS, you might be lacking Vitamin D or sleep.
2. Compression Tights Prevent Deep Vein Thrombosis
Deep vein thrombosis is a condition where the blood clots in the veins and this happens mostly in the lower thigh and the legs. There’s no probable age when this problem occurs and basketball players aren’t exceptions.
Deep vein thrombosis causes swelling, and that’s equally painful. The temperature of the affected area also increases and causes much discomfort. In severe cases, the blot clot may travel all the way to the lungs, block an artery and even cause death. Doctors tend to suggest compression pants to improve blood flow and decrease swelling.
Since compression pants take care of the blood flow and swelling, players suffering this issue can vastly benefit from wearing a pair of compression tights.
In 1681, a study showed that compression garments help the most after surgery, because a mere 9% of the people wearing compression leggings beneath their shorts got DVT and 21% did not.
3. Compression Tights Prevent Muscle Tightening
Your muscles can tighten during a game, and that’s not the most positive thing happening. Basketball players perform slight stretching and warm-up before a game, and with time, the effects of stretching and warm-up can begin to fade.
It tightens the muscles which prevents a player from giving their best. But since compression tights are known for keeping the muscles warm and the blood flow max, wearing a pair will ensure the player experiences zero muscle tightness and retains the benefits of muscle stretching and warm-up done before the game.
4. Compression Tights Prevent Injuries
Compression tights are handy; especially when it comes to contact sport. In such cases, compression tights can prevent skin-rash and often be very uncomfortable. Even if you get knocked down, these pants can help ease the pain. Some companies sell padded compression tights that are excellent for preventing injuries. These tend to give you a filthy burn because of the court’s grip made up of hardwood.
These help especially when diving for the ball, the player can make contact with the hard court surface and might increase the chance of getting a nasty burn because of the friction between the skin and the surface of the court. But the padded compression tights can do the job of providing a sort of ‘cushion’ to make your fall more bearable and void of any serious injuries.
5. Compression Tights Keep The Body Warm
A game involving so much running and jumping tends to make the players sweat. Since sweating is your body’s natural response to cool down, a player might get a lower body temperature that tightens the muscles. When muscles tighten, it’s impossible for the player to perform their best and might cause injury at the time.
Applying a sudden strain on the tightened muscle can also cause an unpleasant injury. But compression tights can maintain the body temperature; in other words, keep the body warm which and prevent the muscles to become cold and tightened.
6. Compression Tights Help Maintain Modesty
Compression tights keep everything in place and basketball uniforms are quite baggy. Players can experience certain insecurity or may feel conscious about their appearances and wearing a compression tight can ease all of those.
Compression tights also offer comfort, especially when a player is jumping and running in the court. It also eliminates the fear of being immodest when a player performs high intensity moves in the court in front of the audience.
Closing Thoughts
If you encounter thigh-chafing while physical work, or are wanting to avoid wearing other gears, such as an athletic supporter, compression shorts might turn out a nice choice. Remember, you aren’t bound to get an athletic advantage because of your shorts, even though manufacturers shout you will. Nonetheless, if they’re comfortable and supportive to you, they might just turn out your jam.