Properties of Compression Clothing

Lycra is one of the materials used in the manufacture of compression clothing. Lycra is a trademark name for spandex and was created by DuPont corporation. Lycra fiber is man-made. Never used alone, but always blended with other fibers, it has unique movement. This is achieved by the unique properties of the fiber, which can be stretched up to seven times its initial length before springing back to the original shape once tension is released. Lycra can be stretched up to 600 percent and still return to its original shape and size. It is a lightweight, breathable fabric that is comfortable and the compression fit close to the body makes it ideal for exercising. It is usually combined with other fabrics such as cotton and polyester, women like the clothing due to the form-fitting nature. Lycra was invented in 1958 by a team of scientists, originally as a replacement for rubber in corsetry, before it was invented , consumers had to wear saggy, stretched and bunched clothes. By the mid 1980 over half of all women's hosiery and underwear was using lycra for a close, comfortable fit.

During the 1990s the lycra fabric came into the sports market strengthened through the development of hi-tech fibers such as lycra power fabric in compression shorts which help reduce athletes' muscle fatigue. It keeps the athlete cool and comfortable.

Archery shooters, and archery hunters are also seeing the benefits from compression clothing, the tight fit helps the archer when he is drawing the bow and releasing the string. The bow string will not come in contact with the clothing, as it would if they were wearing loose fitting garments. It will help the rifle and shotgun shooter also because of the fit, the stock will not come in contact with the compression fit as it would if they were wearing loose fitting clothing.