From The New York Times' online Play magazine (you can subscribe to it for free)
At Kona, 415 of the 1,677 competitors in the run portion of the race
wore the socks, said Chris Bohannon of the triathlon gear manufacturer
Zoot. They wore them to increase blood flow, supposedly supplying lower
leg muscles with more oxygen and more evenly distributing muscle
strain. Compression socks were originally used by diabetics, pregnant
women and travelers seeking better circulation and preventing blood
clots.
Studies of runners in New Zealand found mixed results — compression
socks didn’t help middle-distance runners but “there does appear to be
some benefit of wearing these garments on maintenance of leg power,”
Ajmol Ali, a sport and exercise science professor at Massey University
in Auckland and lead researcher on the studies, wrote in an e-mail
message.
Triathletes really will try any gadget or device. They are more tricked out than roadies on the bike. Now it is becoming evident on the run as well. You don't see very many marathoners wearing compression socks. But a quarter of the athletes at the Ironman World Championship are wearing them. And it is not restricted to the elite or the pros. Here is an example of some of the gadgets a friend of mine has, a recreational, 14 hr ironman type of guy.
Trek Equinox TT bike
ZIPP 404 wheelset
vision carbon bars
garmin 305 (uses on the bike)
garmin 405 (for the run)
SwimP3 (to listen to music while training in the pool or the lake).
Compression tights (I expect to see the socks next year).
TACX trainer with wattage etc.
Swim tub (the kind with jets) in the back yard
Newton Running Shoes
I am sure I am forgetting something . . .
So, either we triathletes are WAY ahead of the curve, and the rest of the athletic world just needs to catch up. Or, we as a group just tend to have a lot of disposable cash.
I must admit though, I love my CS 200 on the bike, and breaking down all the numbers after the ride. I think I will give the compression socks a pass though.