Athletic Socks

Chapter

Abstract

Socks are an essential component of footwear for the athlete. Previously considered a commodity item, athletic socks are now designed to provide significant functional and protective benefits for the active person. This chapter will provide an overview of the key factors in the recommendation of proper socks (hosiery) for the athlete.

Keywords

Cotton Fiber Plantar Pressure Synthetic Fiber Wool Fiber Compression Stocking 
These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.

References

  1. 1.
    Richie D. Sock controversy. Phys Sports Med. 1992;20(5):55.Google Scholar
  2. 2.
    Flot S, Hill V, Yamada W, et al. The effect of padded hosiery in reducing forefoot plantar pressures. Low Extrem. 1995;2:201–5.Google Scholar
  3. 3.
    Veves A, Masson EA, Fernando DJS, et al. Use of experimental padded hosiery to reduce abnormal foot pressures in diabetic neuropathy. Diabetes Care. 1989;12:653–5.CrossRefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  4. 4.
    Donaghue VM, Sarnow MR, Guirini JM, et al. Longitudinal in-shoe foot pressure relief achieved by specially designed footwear in high risk diabetic patients. Diabetes Res Clin Pract. 1996;31:109–14.CrossRefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  5. 5.
    Garrow AP, van Schie CHM, Boulton AJM. Efficacy of multilayered hosiery in reducing in-shoe plantar pressure in high risk patients with diabetes. Diabetes Care. 2005;28:2001–6.CrossRefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  6. 6.
    Howarth SJ, Rome K. A short-term study of shock-attenuation in different sock types. Foot. 1996;6:5–9.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  7. 7.
    Herring KH, Richie DH. Friction blisters and sock fiber composition: a double blind study. J Am Podiatr Med Assoc. 1990;80:63–71.CrossRefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  8. 8.
    Herring KH, Richie DH. Comparison of cotton and acrylic socks using a generic cushion sole design for runners. J Am Podiatr Med Assoc. 1993;83:515–22.CrossRefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  9. 9.
    Brown JR, Brown AM. Nonprescription, padded, lightweight support socks in the treatment of mild to moderate lower extremity venous insufficiency. J Am Osteopath Assoc. 1995;95:173–81.PubMedGoogle Scholar
  10. 10.
    Ali A, Caine MP, Snow BG. Graduated compression stockings: physiological and perceptual responses during and after exercise. J Sports Sci. 2007;25:413–9.CrossRefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  11. 11.
    Kuno Y. Human perspiration. Springfield: C.C. Thomas; 1956. p. 1–65.Google Scholar
  12. 12.
    Grice K. Sweat glands and abnormalities of their function. In: Marks R, Sammon PD, editors. Dermatology, vol. 6. New York: Appleton-Century-Crofts; 1977. p. 5–68.Google Scholar
  13. 13.
    Farnworth B. A numerical model of the combined diffusion of heat and water vapor through clothing. Tex Res J. 1986;56:653–65.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  14. 14.
    Product Knowledge Center for High Performance Fibers, Apparel and Gear. The Acrylic council, Inc., 1285 Avenue of the Americas, 35th Floor, New York, NY, 10019.Google Scholar
  15. 15.
    Euler RD. Creating “comfort” socks for the U.S. consumer. Knit. Times. 1985;54:47.Google Scholar
  16. 16.
    Harris M. Handbook of textile fibers. Washington, DC: Harris Research Laboratory, Inc; 1954. p. 173–89.Google Scholar
  17. 17.
    Rossi RM, Stampfli R, Psikuta A, Rechsteiner I, Bruhwiler PA. Transplanar and in-plane wicking effects in sock materials under pressure. Text Res J. 2011;81(15):1549–58. Database: Science Citation IndexCrossRefGoogle Scholar
  18. 18.
    Rossi RM, Stampfli R, Psikuta A, et al. Vertical and lateral wicking effects in sock materials under pressure. Text Res J. 2011;81:1549–58.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  19. 19.
    Spence WR, Shields MN. Prevention of blisters, callosities, and ulcers by absorption of shearing forces. J Am Podiatry Assoc. 1968;58:428–34.CrossRefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  20. 20.
    Davis BL. Foot ulceration: hypothesis concerning shear and vertical forces acting on adjacent regions of skin. Med Hypotheses. 1993;40:44–7.CrossRefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  21. 21.
    Naylor PE. Experimental friction blisters. Br J Dermatol. 1955;67:327–35.CrossRefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  22. 22.
    Sulzberger MD, Cortese TA, Fishman L, et al. Studies on blisters produced by friction. I. Results of linear rubbing and twisting techniques. J Invest Dermatol. 1966;47:456–63.CrossRefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  23. 23.
    Light LH, McLennan GE, Klenerman L. Skeletal transients on heel strike in normal walking with different footwear. J Biomech. 1980;13:477480.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  24. 24.
    Voloshin A, Wosk J. An ‘In Vivo’ study of low back pain and shock absorption in the human locomotor system. J Biomech. 1982;192(15):21–7.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  25. 25.
    Lewis L, Tan T, Shive YS. Characterization of the performance of shoe insert materials. J Am Podiatr Med Assoc. 1991;81(8):418424.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  26. 26.
    McPhoil TG, Cornwall M. Effect of insole material on force and plantar pressures during walking. J Am Podiatr Med Assoc. 1992;82:8.Google Scholar
  27. 27.
    Howarth SJ, Rome K. A short-term study of shock-attenuation in different sock types. Foot. 1996;6:5–9.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  28. 28.
    Blackmore T, Jessop D, Bruce-Low S, Scurr J. The cushioning properties of athletic socks: an impact testing perspective. Clin Biomech. 2013;28:825–30.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  29. 29.
    Levine N. Dermatologic aspects of sports medicine. J Am Acad Dermatol. 1980;3:415–23.CrossRefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  30. 30.
    Knapik JJ, Hamlet MP, Thompson KJ. Influence of boot-sock systems on frequency and severity of foot blisters. Mil Med. 1996;161(10):594–8.PubMedGoogle Scholar
  31. 31.
    Robertson TW, Christopherson MS. Improved sock system customer test. Ligget: Fort Hunter, US Army Test and Experimentation Command Center; 1994.Google Scholar
  32. 32.
    Gackstetter G, Shrifter J. Injury reduction sock study. San Antonio: Epidemiology Division, Lackland Air Force Base; 1994.Google Scholar
  33. 33.
    Allan JR. A study of foot blisters. Research memorandum 1. Farnborough: Army Operational Research Establishment; 1964. p. 64–8.Google Scholar
  34. 34.
    Allan JR, MacMillan AL. The effects of heat on unacclimatized paratroops. Exercise Tiger Brew II. Research memorandum 16. Farnborough: Army Operational Research Establishment; 1963. p. 62–75.Google Scholar
  35. 35.
    Jagoda A, Madden H, Hinson C. A friction blister prevention study in a population of marines. Mil Med. 1981;146:42–55.PubMedGoogle Scholar
  36. 36.
    Sanders JE, Greve JM, Mitchell SB, et al. Material properties of commonly used interface materials and their static coefficients of friction with skin and socks. J Rehabil Res Dev. 1998;35:161–76.PubMedGoogle Scholar
  37. 37.
    Baussan E, Bueno MA, Rossi RM, Derler S. Analysis of current running sock structures with regard to blister prevention. Text Res J. 2013;83(8):836–48.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  38. 38.
    Broughton R. Reinfection from socks and shoes in tinea pedis. Br J Dermatol. 1955;67:249.CrossRefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  39. 39.
    Lacroix C, Baspeyras M, de La Salmoniere P, et al. Tinea pedis in European marathon runners. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2002;16:139–42.CrossRefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  40. 40.
    Hammer TR, Mucha H, Hoefer D. Infection risk by dermatophytes during storage and after domestic laundry and their temperature-dependent inactivation. Mycopathologia. 2011;171:43–9.CrossRefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  41. 41.
    Amichai B, Grunwald MH, Davidovici B, Farh R, Shemer A. The effect of domestic laundry processes on fungal contamination of socks. Int J Dermatol. 2013;52:1392–4.CrossRefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  42. 42.
    Bonifaz A, Vázquez-González D, Hernández MA, Araiza J, Tirado-Sánchez A, Ponce RM. Dermatophyte isolation in the socks of patients with tinea pedis and onychomycosis. J Dermatol. 2013;40(6):504–5. ISSN:1346-8138.Google Scholar
  43. 43.
    Quirós J, Borges JP, Boltes K, Rodea-Palomares I, Rosal R. Antimicrobial electrospun silver-, copper- and zinc-doped polyvinylpyrrolidone nanofibers. J Hazard Mater. 2015;299:298–305.CrossRefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  44. 44.
    Bshena O, TDj H, Dicks LM, Klumperman B. Antimicrobial fibers: therapeutic possibilities and recent advances. Future Med Chem. 2011;3(14):1821–47. doi: 10.4155/fmc.11.131.CrossRefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  45. 45.
    Zatcoff RC, Smith MS, Borkow G. Treatment of tinea pedis with socks containing copper impregnated fibers. Foot. 2008;18:136–41.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  46. 46.
    Yuen CWM, Yip J, Liu L, Cheuk K, Kan CW, Cheung HC, et al. Chitosan microcapsules loaded with either miconazole nitrate or clotrimazole prepared via emulsion technique. Carbohydr Polym. 2012;89:795–801.CrossRefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  47. 47.
    Yuen C-W, Cheong CH. Treatment of interdigital-type tinea pedis with a 2-week regimen of wearing hygienic socks loaded with antifungal microcapsules: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2013;69(3):493.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  48. 48.
    de Glanville KM, Hamlin MJ. Positive effect of lower body compression garments on subsequent 40-kM cycling time trial performance. J Strength Cond Res. 2012;26:480–6.CrossRefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  49. 49.
    Sperlich B, Born DP, Haegele M, Zinner C, Holmberg HC. Effects of compression textiles on performance enhancement and recovery. Sportverletzung Sportschaden. 2011;25:227–34.CrossRefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  50. 50.
    Kraemer WJ, Flanagan SD, Comstock BA, Fragala MS, Earp JE, Dunn-Lewis C, Ho JY, Thomas GA, Solomon-Hill G, Penwell ZR, Powell MD, Wolf MR, Volek JS, Denegar CR, Maresh CM. Effects of a whole body compression garment on markers of recovery after a heavy resistance workout in men and women. J Strength Cond Res. 2010;24:804–14.CrossRefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  51. 51.
    Jakeman JR, Byrne C, Eston RG. Efficacy of lower limb compression and combined treatment of manual massage and lower limb compression on symptoms of exercise-induced muscle damage in women. J Strength Cond Res. 2010;24:3157–65.CrossRefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  52. 52.
    Kraemer WJ, Bush JA, Wickham RB, Denegar CR, Gomez AL, Gotshalk LA, Duncan ND, Volek JS, Putukian M, Sebastianelli WJ. Influence of compression therapy on symptoms following soft tissue injury from maximal eccentric exercise. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2001;31:282–90.CrossRefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  53. 53.
    French DN, Thompson KG, Garland SW, Barnes CA, Portas MD, Hood PE, Wilkes G. The effects of contrast bathing and compression therapy on muscular performance. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2008;40:1297–306.CrossRefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  54. 54.
    Ali A, Creasy RH, Edge JA. Physiological effects of wearing graduated compression stockings during running. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2010;109:1017–25.CrossRefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  55. 55.
    Del Corso J, Areces F, Salinero JJ, et al. Compression stockings do not improve muscular performance during a half-ironman triathlon race. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2014;114:587–95.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  56. 56.
    Hill JA, Howatson G, van Someren KA, Walshe I, Pedlar CR. Influence of compression garments on recovery after marathon running. J Strength Cond Res. 2014;28(8):2228–35.CrossRefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  57. 57.
    Areces F, Salinero JJ, Abian-Vicen J, et al. The use of compression stockings during a marathon competition to reduce exercise-induced muscle damage: are they really useful? J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2015;45(6):462–70.CrossRefPubMedGoogle Scholar

Copyright information

© Springer International Publishing AG 2017

Authors and Affiliations

  1. 1.California School of Podiatric MedicineSamuel Merritt UniversityOaklandUSA
  2. 2.School of Podiatric MedicineWestern University of Health SciencesPomonaUSA

Personalised recommendations