How Compression Works for You

When we first created ABA Cellulite Smoothers a decade ago, it was purely for esthetic reasons. We knew that almost everyone had cellulite and wanted to fight it. So for nearly two years we scoured the marketplace for just the right fabric --and then our team of designers created just the right fit using modern technical sewing methods. Our ABA Cellulite Smoothers became an instant best seller. Then you—our customers—started talking, and it didn’t take long for the word to spread that beauty isn’t the only advantage of our ABA compression shorts. Athletes and people who stand on their feet all day noted their experience with the pants’ performance-enhancing quality. Then we heard from lymphedema patients and from clinical therapists that there are significant medical advantages to wearing compression pants. We did further research and we found out our ABA compression bike shorts fulfilled a list of functions! Check it out.

Medical and scholastic experts praise the benefits of compression. Compression pants keep muscles warm, helping prevent strain and fatigue. Dr. William J. Kraemer, a professor of kinesiology at the University of Connecticut, and the author or co-author of 10 books on sports medicine and exercise, has studied compression garments for much of his career. In one of his studies of male and female varsity track athletes, Dr. Kraemer found that the athletes jumped higher when wearing compression shorts and also registered higher skin temperatures, which is beneficial for preventing injury. In another study of 12 women, Dr. Kraemer found that compression leg wear reduced athletic fatigue. (These studies were conducted when Dr. Kramer led The Penn State Center for Sports Medicine.)

In addition to keeping the muscles warm, compression regulates body temperature the other way, too, by efficiently removing perspiration from the skin. That assists the body's cooling system in warm weather and keeps the body warm in cold weather.

Compression promotes increased circulation by speeding up blood flow to muscles and removing waste like lactic acid and extra body fluids. This again leads to faster recovery times after strenuous exercise and medically speaking, compression garments are recommended by doctors for circulatory conditions, namely lymphedema and edema.

Dr. Kramer and others have noted that lycra is what helps compression. ABA’s compression pants are made of 45% nylon and 55% Lycra Power and that’s more than twice the amount of Lycra used in almost every other body shaping garment in today’s marketplace! So honoring that compression strength we re-named our pants Power Legs.

FYI:

Lymphedema is a condition of localized fluid retention caused by a comprised lymphatic system. Primary lymphedema is a rare, inherited condition characterized by problems with the development of the body’s lymph vessels. Secondary lymphodema is more common, and it can occur after lymph node surgery or radiation therapy, in which the treatment of cancer causes damage to the nervous system. The Mayo Clinic recommends compression to help reduce swelling in the affected limbs. ( http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/lymphedema/DS00609/DSECTION=treatments-and-drugs)

Edema – the medical term for swelling – can occur anywhere on the body, but often occurs in the lower legs or hands, particularly after sitting or standing for a significant period of time. A common cause of edema is venous disease, a condition in which the legs cannot pump enough blood back to the heart because the valves in the veins may be damaged. This leads to fluid collecting in the lower legs.

Our compression pants help counteract this by applying steady and manageable pressure to the muscles and veins in your legs. You see, compression encourages blood to flow up the leg through assisting veins and valves in the legs in their job by forcing weaker veins to work better.

A Big Attitude’s full length Power Legs Leggings would be especially helpful attire under these circumstances - our Power Legs Bike Shorts and Leggings can be worn as an undergarment or as outer wear. And athletes, you can increase your performance, your comfort and your health.

Our ABA Compression Pants fan club tells us that our product have changed their lives. Here’s our favorite comment that summarizes this loyalty:

“I play tennis twice a week. I wear my Power Legs every time. Without them I feel naked!”