The working principle of the Herzog Sport Compression tights

The tights keep the calves compact. This reduces the vibration caused by the impact of the foot, leading to less lateral movement of the relatively heavy calf muscle, leading to less traction on Achilles tendon and shin fascia.

Following whiplash (muscle rupture) in the calf, the edges of the wound are held together by the compression of the tights, decreasing the odds of scar tissue formation and connective tissue formation. At best, scar tissue is still slightly elastic, but can never hope to match the surrounding muscle. Haematoma formation is also effectively countered.

Heavy exertion will lead to the breakdown of cellular tissue and protein and remain in the interstitium (space between the cells). This affects the colloid osmotic pressure (COP) to such a degree that tissue fluids are poorly reabsorbed into the venous vascular system. Fluid build-up in the tissues negatively affects blood circulation, making it difficult for nutrients to reach the cells and for waste products like lactic acid and carbon dioxide to be removed. Wearing Herzog Sport Compression tights elevates pressures in the tissue, which increases the rate of re-absorption of fluids into the venous capillary network.
This results in more rapid recovery.

New treatment option for shin splints

Shins splints (exercise related pain on the posteromedial border of the tibia, with also pain on palpation on this border for at least five centimeters) is a frequently encountered injury in the military service. Incidences vary between 4-35%. Some countries even adapted their military training programs to reduce the number of recruits with lower extremity complaints. Despite this, shin splints is still a common problem, with multiple recruits having to rehabilitate from it. In the past thirty years only three well designed studies were undertaken to study different treatment options for shin splints. From these it appeared that rest and the application of ice is the best treatment.

Due to the lack of existing trials, we undertook a study ourselves, which compared time to recovery from shin splints symptoms with different treatments. Preliminary results from our randomized controlled trial seem to show that a new treatment option with a compression sock is promising. This sock applies continuous pressure on the muscles and through this also on the bone. It appears that wearing a compression sock speeds up recovery from shin splints compared to a control group not wearing the sock. Recruits and athletes frequently report that the sock also relieves symptoms caused by shin splints while wearing the sock. Although the final results of our study have not been collected yet, a significant role for the compression sock in the treatment of shin splints appears to be present.

The definitive results of this scientific study will be published in an international medical journal when all data is gathered.

M. H. Moen, sports physician

Frequently Asked Questions

I have large legs, do you sell custom sizes?
If your legs are too large for our standard range of sizes, a custom tight can be made to your specifications.

Can I wear the Herzog athletic tights for two hours consecutively?
You can certainly wear the tights for two hours, during both training and competitions. We even recommend wearing the tights until one hour after exertion.

I have varicose veins, and use support tights, can I use the Herzog Sport Compression tights while running?
It is highly recommended you wear the Sports Compression stockings while running. There is a big difference between support and compression tights. Your tights were prescribed by your doctor, and you are probably using compression tights, pressure class 2. Our tights offer the same pressure class, but are tailored to suit the practical requirements athletes have with regard to heat regulation, wear and slippage.

How are these tights different from other brands of athletic tights?
Compared to other athletic tights, Herzog Sport Compression tights offer:
A. more pressure.
B. leg sizes determine the size and shape of the tight, not the shoe size. It's important that the pressure is evenly distributed, with a decreasing gradient from ankle to knee. As you can imagine,
people with the same shoe sizes can have very different leg contours. As a result the effectiveness in pressure distribution can differ a lot. An improperly fitted tight can actually be harmful. For example, consider the difference in calf size between sprinters and endurance athletes. This is avoided by fitting a tight to the actual leg size.

Where can I buy the Herzog Sport Compression tights?
Surf to www.herzogsport.com and click on dealers to see where you can find the tights in the
Netherlands and Belgium.

Can the Herzog athletic tights be used on a daily basis, for example when standing for extended periods?
Standing for extended periods can be very tiring for the legs. The reason for this: the muscle pump (which ensures that blood is pumped upwards again) doesn't work optimally.
The result is that the column of blood applies downward pressure due to gravity. The odds of oedema (fluid build-up) forming around the ankles is very high. Oedema in the legs leads to less than optimal
circulation; exchange of nutrients and oxygen on the one hand and disposal of waste and metabolites (lactic acid) also stagnates.
The Herzog Sport Compression tights ensure that tissue pressure is elevated, allowing swifter return of venous blood. In other words, it's a good idea to also wear the tights during your work as - for example - waiter, hairdresser, chauffeur or standing laborer.

Are Herzog athletic tights covered by health insurance?
A study to demonstrate the positive effects of the tights is required before insurance coverage can be discussed with the insurance companies.

Are the Herzog athletic tights suitable for volleyball players?
The tights have proven to be effective with runners with - among other things - shin-splint complains. The tights work because they keep the calf compact. When the foot impacts on a hard surface, for example when running or setting up a block, this will prevent lateral movement of the calf muscles.
As a result of this, this relatively heavy muscle will exert less traction on Achilles tendon and shin fascia. In other words, these tights are perfectly suited for volleyball players as well.
Currently, the tights are primarily used in athletics, football, volleyball, and skating.