July 2003 Socks That Breathe

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British Marathon Runner, Paula Radcliffe: Wears Compression Socks

* Born 17/12/1973, Northwhich, England
* Placed fifth in the 5000m at 1996 Olympics and fourth in the 10,000m in 2000
* Holds women's marathon world record (2:17:18)
* Event: Marathon or 10,000 metres

July 2003
Socks That Breathe

These socks might be your new secret weapon

The latest device promising to help you run faster is one of the last you'd ever expect: your socks. British star Paula Radcliffe has run her world-record marathons in kneehigh socks, and now a handful of American runners are also reporting success with the geeky-looking hose.

Last February, four of the top 10 finishers in the U.S. Marathon Championships wore knee-highs, including third- and fourth-place finishers Clint Verran and Jeff Campbell. Campbell improved his marathon personal record from 2:19:18 to 2:16:26. "1 use them after hard workout days to help flush out my legs," he says. "After my 2:16, my lower legs definitely felt better than the rest of my body. The socks really work for me."

Paula Radcliffe's 'bionic' kit , by John Hand BBC News

Knee-length socks? Check. Nasal strip? Check. Titanium necklace? Check.

Britain's newly-crowned world marathon champion Paula Radcliffe wears a remarkable array of accessories when she competes in major races.

To assess whether such devices really help or are just gimmicks, ahead of the marathon BBC News spoke to three experts: athletics coach Fred Wooding, sports scientist Nick Morgan and Edzard Ernst, Professor of Complementary Medicine.

Compression Socks

Radcliffe has worn these knee-length socks for many years to support her calf muscles. And her kit is completed by a pair of specially designed trainers, which complement the contours of her feet and offer extra padding.

Fred Wooding: "The socks would be an important aid to blood circulation over a long race. There would be a danger of a pooling of lactic acid and it is a fact that these would help her. As for her shoes, Paula would be wearing a pair that would both give her sufficient grip whatever weather conditions she faces and also plenty of padding to compensate for the fact that she's going to be repetitively pounding her feet for 26 miles."

Nick Morgan: "Actually a build-up of lactic acid is not likely to be a problem for a marathon runner. The socks would help blood flow but they would be even better in aiding her recovery after the race. And a good pair of trainers is essential - I'm sure hers will be designed precisely because every millimetre would have an effect on her running gait."

Professor Edzard Ernst: "Some people have a tendency for their legs to swell up due to venous insufficiency and these socks would help control this. For someone running 26 miles, swollen legs would be heavy legs and that would be no good thing."

Radcliffe wore white socks until she found a flesh-coloured alternative.

SOURCES: Runner's World - July, 2003 "Socks That Breathe" & John Hand, BBC News - "Paula Radcliffe's 'bionic' kit"

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