Compression garments for sports are accessories made of elastic materials and worn during sports activities. Over the years, they have become very popular among athletes of different disciplines, as they protect and restore the lumbar region.
Before buying, it is advisable to evaluate various aspects of the garment. In this case, we give all the necessary information, such as: Types of hip belts, their characteristics and even the most common back injuries and how they occur in each sport, so that you are always warned.
What is the best back brace for sport injuries?
- Sizes: One size
- Colors: Black
- Material: Neoprene
- Closure type: Closure with elastic straps and Velcro
- Inner pad: No
- Straps for better fit
- Good compression
- One size only
Its structure of eight steel supports maintains the necessary stability so that weak abdominal muscles are not strained. Remember that you can further improve the support's efficiency, just adjust the external elastic straps until you feel comfortable. Its Velcro closure and materials may cause discomfort and cut off blood circulation in some cases.
- Sizes: S/M, L/XL
- Colors: Black
- Material: Neoprene
- Closure type: Closure with elastic straps and Velcro
- Inner pad: No
- Copper design
- Breathable
- High compression
- High performance
- Delicate wash
- Only 2 sizes
Sciatic pain and pulled muscles will be a thing of the past, thanks to the rigid support that strengthens the muscular structure of the lower back. Do not miss this opportunity to maintain for a low price all the movements of your body without risk of injury. Recover your activity and choose your size, just like the experts do. Bear in mind that in those sports where you need more movement, it is likely that the lumbar belt will be uncomfortable for you.
- Sizes: M-L-XL-2XL-3XL-4XL
- Colors: Black
- Material: Spandex
- Closure type: Closure with elastic straps and Velcro
- Inner pad: No
- Includes support straps
- Breathable
- Variety of sizes
- Ergonomic design
- No material specified
- Very large sizes
Its straps have a skin-friendly stitching, so you can wear it as many times as you want over or under your clothes. But keep in mind that, at the time of not performing force with the back is recommended that you unfasten the straps with Velcro closure to avoid symptoms of suffocation or exhaustion. It has never been so easy to stay away from injuries, you just have to choose the right size of this unisex belt. Its materials can lose quality and the Velcro can get dirty as you wear the belt.
- Sizes: S-M-XXL
- Colors: Black
- Material: Polyester
- Closure type: Closure with elastic straps and Velcro
- Inner pad: Yes
- Pressure pad
- Breathable
- Adjustable straps with Velcro
- For all types of activities
- Only 3 sizes
- Thin material
It is designed to be worn for long periods thanks to its breathable mesh fabric. Its lumbar pad, located in the lower spine area exerts pressure when you need to lift heavy objects or perform back-demanding tasks. Avoid lumbago and disc herniation! To do this, you should choose the right size so that the external straps do not become misaligned, although this may occur over time.
- Sizes: M-L-XL-2XL-3XL
- Colors: Black
- Material: Neoprene
- Closure type: Closure with elastic straps and Velcro
- Inner pad: Yes
- Double elastic strap
- Breathable
- Variety of sizes
- For all types of activities
- Very large sizes
- Too bulky
The consequences of back injuries for men and women will gradually disappear when using any of the sizes of this neoprene lumbar support. The adjustable straps stretch the back pad to deliver the correct support to the back area of the back. The belt is suitable for seniors, but is often uncomfortable when breathing or may cut off blood circulation.
- Sizes: S/M, L/XL, XXL
- Colors: Black
- Material: Neoprene
- Closure type: Closure with elastic straps and Velcro
- Inner pad: Yes
- Lumbar pad
- Ergonomic design
- Breathable
- Unisex
- Too bulky
- Only 3 sizes
Don't wait for back pain to invade your life! The hernia belt exerts the necessary pressure in the right places to stimulate blood circulation. It can be used at any stage of life, as its size is suitable for sitting, walking and heavy lifting. The elasticity of the adjustable straps may cause inconvenience, if the Velcro fastener is worn out by rubbing against other garments.
- Sizes: S/M, M/L, XL/XXL
- Colors: Grey
- Material: Nylon(32%), Polyester(38%), Spandex(30%)
- Closure type: Closure with elastic straps and Velcro
- Inner pad: Yes
- 3 adjustable straps
- Breathable
- Delicate wash
Stabilizing back bars correct posture when sitting and walking. The custom fit achieved with the elastic straps and removable pad are ideal for back rehabilitation. With this back brace you will protect your abdominal muscles without problems when lifting objects. Consider that the adjustment provided by the belt is not oriented to demanding jobs, so it is not recommended for professional use.
- Sizes: S/M, L/XL, 2XL, 3XL
- Colors: Gray and Blue, Gray and Black
- Material: Spandex & velcro
- Closure type: Closure with elastic straps and Velcro
- Inner pad: Yes
- Ergonomic design
- Lumbar pad
- Double adjustable strap
- For all types of activities
- Too bulky
- Delicate wash
Don't miss any activity because of lumbar inflammation! Always carry this support with you to improve blood circulation and stimulate the therapeutic effects of heat. The breathable material will prevent sweat from accumulating on your back, so you can also choose this support for your work. Take care to measure your waist circumference correctly, otherwise the elastic straps will not fit properly.
Video: Lumbar spine anatomy
Types of back supports you should know about
What are the most common back injuries in sports?
Here is a detailed list of the most common back injuries along with their symptoms, common causes and how they can occur during sports.
Lower back pain or lumbago
This is a condition of the lumbar spine or lower back that can be acute, subacute or chronic. It can occur during physical activity and sports due to repeated violent twisting of the trunk, poor posture, and obesity, affecting the muscles and ligaments of the spine.
Symptoms begin with pain, severe muscle cramps and palpitations and can spread to the legs. Depending on the severity, this affects the timing of mobilization during sports. A common example for any sport could be an overweight beginner; a person with little or no experience in this area may make a wrong move and injure their back.
Muscle contractures
This is an unpleasant injury that can affect anyone in their daily activities or sports. It is an involuntary contraction of the muscles of the lower back or lumbar spine that can prevent you from performing normal movements, and is a result of excessive activity or lack of warm-up. In this case, the body is unable to break down the metabolic products and the muscle loses the ability to return to its resting state.
Signs of the condition begin with inflammation and pain in the muscles, limited mobility and weakness. For example, when a tennis player plays against an opponent and twists the trunk to return the ball, this repetitive motion directly affects the lower back and can lead to muscle contractures and limited range of motion.
Lumbar Impingement
Occurs when excessive pressure is placed on one or more vertebrae and can extend to the legs. It can be caused by repetitive strain during exercise, poor posture over a long period of time, obesity and excessive lifting, among other factors. Sufferers hear a cracking sound in the lower back.
Signs of injury can vary depending on severity; initially, symptoms include pain, tingling, muscle spasms and weakness; left untreated, the condition can gradually worsen until lower limb mobility is compromised. The most obvious example is that of an athlete lifting weights, often beyond his or her physical capabilities, combined with obesity and poor posture.
Osteoarthritis
This is a progressive degeneration of the cartilage that covers the surface of the joints. This soft tissue acts as a kind of shock absorber between bones, and in the case of the lumbar spine, it affects the vertebral bodies. When the cartilage weakens, it can rub against the bones and cause other injuries. It is a result of poor posture and excessive physical stress and, although degenerative, very often affects tennis players and other athletes.
Symptoms begin with pain in the lower back during exercise, cramping and numbness in the limbs, stiffness, loss of flexibility or mobility. In a basketball player who quickly and repeatedly bends and curves his back during play, the vertebrae weaken over time and cause osteoarthritis.
Sprain
Ligaments or muscle tendons help hold the discs together. In this case, a lumbar sprain is a stretch, tear or rupture of the ligament caused by violent twisting or activities with constant tension over a long period of time, poor posture, lack of warm-up exercises and lifting weights overhead.
It can manifest as acute pain, bruising, swelling of the affected area, hematoma, and temporary restriction of movement. These symptoms occur in the early stages of the injury and can worsen if left untreated. For example, when a basketball player twists hard in the air to block or pass to a teammate, it directly affects the lower back and causes a sprain.
Buying guide: Tips on how to buy the best lumbar support for sports
To choose the best lumbar support, you should first consider the type of sport, physical or daily activity you do, and then consider features such as design, material, support and more that will determine your experience and the results you get from the compression garment.
Sports
Each sport requires a number of safety accessories with specific features in order to perform it. One of these items is the sports compression belt to protect the lumbar area from injury, the sports mentioned below being more prone to accidents in the back, and therefore the use of the compression garment is almost essential.
- Running: activates more than two hundred muscles, puts a lot of strain on the spine and neck, and if this is accompanied by poor posture, it can lead to lower back pain due to the intensity of the activity. To avoid this, a sacroiliac belt is needed that is not only comfortable while running, but also relieves pain.
- Golf: It is believed that golf is a sport with a low percentage of injuries, but this is not the case for the back, since the trunk must be rotated and this often happens abruptly, causing consequences in this area and requiring a compression garment both for prevention and recovery.
- Crossfit: This is perhaps the most effective way to train all the muscles of the body. However, it involves many repetitive movements that can weaken and fatigue the lower back. You will need to wear a lumbar support to align your spine so that you can perform the exercise safely and correctly.
- Weightlifting, powerifting and Fitness: One of the basic movements in these disciplines is to lift a weight over your head. Injury problems are due to poor technique, lack of warm-up exercises or poor posture, but all this can be avoided with lumbar straps, as they are specifically designed for working with weights and always ensure correct posture and joint support.
- Heavy loading and unloading work: Any heavy loading and unloading activity involves some degree of complication, and it is of utmost importance that clothing helps prevent discomfort in the back caused by constant direct impact on this area. Products such as the lumbar belt are ideal to ensure that you always have the stability you need.
- Poor posture at work: there is a boundary point in every part of the body, because if you make the same movement or have a bad posture, there will be greater consequences, pain being one of the main causes, and with this lumbar clothing you can avoid and cure them.
Material of manufacture
Over the years, the manufacture of sports back braces has evolved to provide the user with better effects and a more comfortable experience with the product. Latex, microfiber, nylon and other synthetic materials provide thermal insulation, absorb large amounts of fluid, keep the device in place and conform to the shape of the body.
- Latex: It comes from the rubber tree, its original texture is watery and yellowish, it goes through a chemical and refining process to obtain a solid consistency. It is extremely elastic, strong and lightweight, which is why it is used as a material for compression garments to treat lower back injuries.
- Microfiber: It is a synthetic material composed of microfibers that are hundreds of times finer than human hair. It is resistant, comfortable to the touch, lightweight and retains its original shape over time, which is why it is preferred by athletes.
- Nylon: this is a synthetic fiber with a wide range of uses in sports. Its properties include moisture absorption, strength and flexibility. It does not wrinkle or deteriorate and is ideal for use as reinforcement in harnesses.
- Neoprene: It is obtained by the polymerization of chloroprene. It can be bent or manipulated in any way without losing its original shape. It is ideal for protection against high and low temperatures, is flexible and very resistant. Widely used in the manufacture of compression garments in different proportions of other fibers that are breathable.
Type of support
Fastening systems are fundamental in sports belts because they help maintain a stable and distributed pressure in the place you choose ; in this way you can reduce the risk of injury, they also avoid mobilization of the device and you can adjust it in the direction you want.
- Velcro: it consists of two elements, one is a group of hooks baked on a fabric and the other is a strip covered with a tangle of fibers; the two elements are joined together to form a tight closure. The straps create an individual pressure for the athlete, depending on what he needs and wants. They are also very easy to put on and take off, as this material is one of the most commonly used to ensure a good grip.
- Magnetic closed: This is also one of the most commonly used closure systems. It consists of two parts, a magnetic closure and a cylindrical closure that lock together. It is made of high quality metals and can be finished in chrome, silver or a strikingly smooth finish.
- Elastic straps: this is one of the most common straps used in camisoles, especially if you want to put more stress on your back. Usually made of aluminum and plastic, the straps help maintain good posture, keep your waist straight and stabilize your spine, among other things. It depends on where it is placed in the garment to provide the necessary support.
Sizing
There are universal sizes that usually have elastic materials or fastening systems that adapt to the person. However, there are also people who prefer a lumbar belt that adjusts to their size, creating the specific fit and compression that the person needs.
However, it is important to choose the right size because a size that is too small can lead to contraindications, while a size that is too large will not create the necessary pressure. To take the measurements, you need to use a tape measure and measure the back, waist or hip depending on the model of the waist belt.
Design
The first known sports equipment served a specific function, without much thought about its design. However, this has changed. Today, the sports industry is a huge commercial conglomerate that pays special attention to the design of its products to meet the tastes of clubs, teams and fans around the world.
In sports belts, there are designs full of textures on the surface of the fabrics used and a variety of colors to suit individual tastes. The goal is to attract the attention of as many customers as possible. All this and much more can be seen in the products mentioned in the article.
Price
The cost of back belts varies depending on certain features, the most important being the materials, as these can determine the compression, absorbency and even durability of the garment. It is therefore important that you define your needs and choose the most suitable offer. Do not forget that the belts determine the recovery, protection and even athletic performance, so it is more of an investment in your health.