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HEALTH AND FITNESS: ASK THE COACH
Katharine McCoy
April 20, 2009
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Doesn't everybody wish that they had access to a personal coach for their questions about training and fitness? Road Bike Action recently caught up with Johnathan Edwards M.D. Dr. Edwards is a practicing sports doctor and anesthesiologist in Las Vegas, Nevada. He has been a sports doctor for American cyclists as well as in Europe. He is a USA Cycling certified level 3 coach, has worked with athletes during the Paris Dakar rally. As a former professional motocross racer and current Cat 2 road racer, he understands the health and training needs of cyclists of all levels.
I see many cyclists wearing compression garments, what are the benefits?
Compression garments have been around for some time and there are many touted benefits to wearing them. That being said, there are some things compression garments can do and cannot do.
Some of the things I have read over time are that compression garments keeps the muscle fibers tightly together after exercise so they repair faster. Well, that may not be exactly how it works. Compression garments apparently do not remove lactic acid, increase VO2 max, or increase muscle oxygenation in the numerous studies I read.
They do give the athlete reduced level perceived muscle soreness. Compression garments do improve venous return and help to decrease blood clots (especially in airplanes). Compression garments may help with body temperature control; in some brands, the material used wicks away sweat and moisture keeping you drier, which may help to regulate core temperature. Finally, medical compression garments exist that can help stabilize shoulder and knees, but that is another subject.
Hopefully that gives some peace of mind when go out and buy those garments (which are not cheap)!
Hope this helps,
Dr. Edwards The information provided in the ASK THE COACH column does not
constitute formal medical advice. The information provided on this
public web site is provided solely for general interest of the visitors
to the site. Information in this column does not constitute medical
advice nor establish a doctor-patient relationship with Dr. Johnathan
Edwards. Readers of this column should not act upon any information
contained in the web site without first seeking medical advice from
their personal physician.If you have your
own question about health or training that you would like to ask a
coach please send them to fitness@roadbikeaction.com
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