If the thought of wearing an undershirt with your cycling shirt immediately makes you start to itch, you might want to consider using something called an arm sleeve. An arm sleeve is a shirtless sport-style sleeve that is worn on the upper extremities to keep them warm during sports. Though many athletes wear arm sleeves as a fashion statement, they are often used to improve performance.
Arm sleeves are usually made of neoprene, and are intended to provide gentle, consistent compression in order to maintain ideal blood flow in the arms. The logic is that if your arms remain warm, they will perform more consistently during your game. This is especially important in sports such as basketball and football that require precise, controlled arm movements throughout the entire game. Whether or not arm sleeves are effective in this manner is open to debate. Another valid reason to wear arm sleeves is to provide comfort on cold training days when an undershirt is simply too bulky.
Some arm sleeves are designed to provide a more therapeutic compression. They can be worn while healing from an upper body injury, or to reduce chronic arm swelling. Arm sleeves are used frequently in treatment with breast cancer patients who have undergone a mastectomy, and can also be used with burn victims.
What to Look for
Arm sleeves come in a variety of colors and patterns, and can be customized to your needs. If you are choosing a sleeve for sports use, you will want to look for a model that wicks moisture and is washable. Also, some arm sleeves come with optional padding, which may be beneficial for contact sports. Most are one-size-fits-all, so if you have smaller or larger arms you may need to look for a more customized fit. Sport-style arm sleeves are available in most sporting goods stores.
A therapeutic compression arm sleeve is available in a variety of pressures, and is often custom fitted to the user. In this case, your physician or physical therapist will advise you on the appropriate style for your condition.
Common Pitfalls
Arm sleeves that are too tight may cause swelling around the upper arm, wrist or hand, which can be uncomfortable or even dangerous in the long term. Keep in mind that a garment made from neoprene may cause a reaction in persons with latex sensitivity or allergies.
Arm sleeves that are provided for medical use must be fit appropriately, and will need to be reassessed every so often to ensure ongoing effectiveness.
Member Comments