Athletic Warmups
One of the hottest trends in sports today is the use of compression shirts. The company that most athletes are familiar with is Under Armour. You'll find compression shirts in use on almost any playing field because of the various qualities they provide. Many athletes believe that the compression helps muscles function at a higher performance because of the way the compression shirt holds the muscle in an almost tense position. At rest the muscle is loose and not in a performance state. There isn't any solid proof that compression shirts enhance an athletes performance, but other aspects of the compression garment itself can make athletes more comfortable with less negative effects during cooldown.
One benefit you'll get from a compression shirt is that it is designed to wick sweat away from your body and dry very quickly. This feature enhances your body's natural cooling system to keep you cooler and your skin drier than you would be without a compression shirt . Additionally, compression shirts are made from a blend of synthetic fibers like polyester with some Lycra or spandex added to give it stretch. This essentially becomes an extra slick skin layer that slides across itself very easily preventing any chaffing to the skin. This in many cases can increase your comfort level and ability to perform because you have to worry less about blisters or other painful skin ailments.
One last advantage to wearing a compression shirt is the shirts thermal retention. When panty hose was first invented, athletes discovered that when worn during cold weather, the thin stretchy layer provided a great deal of warmth. With the invention of compression shirts you can have the benefit of staying warm on the playing field without the embarrassment of someone discovering you're wearing a woman's accessory.
