Compression Shorts

Compression shorts are undergarments usually worn by athletes. They are form-fitting garments and when worn cover the athlete's waist to mid or lower thigh. These garments are often made from a spandex-type material, similar to cycling shorts.

A major benefit of compression shorts are that they keep the thigh muscles warm to reduce muscle strain and fatigue. In addition, there is some evidence that compression shorts may enhance athletic performance. They are also used as a way to keep the male genitalia in place. Compression shorts also help to keep undergarments in place, and for certain sports, like baseball and softball (where they are also known as "sliding shorts"), come with padding at the hips to protect players from injuries due to sliding.

Another major benefit is that many compression shorts are designed to wick sweat away from the body to lessen chafing and the onset of rashes. The friction between the fabric of the shorts sliding past each other may also be less than that of bare thighs rubbing, which may also reduce chafing during things like walking or running when the thighs are adducted.

There are also other types of compression garments that serve a similar function, such as compression t-shirts, socks, sleeves & tights. Common brands are Nike, Under Armour, Skins, McDavid, Easton, Zensah and Adidas.

More recently, jockstraps have fallen out of favor with young male athletes, and garments such as compression shorts have seen an increase in popularity, arguably because of their comparable function and less embarrassing looks.

Compression shorts are also popular among female athletes, especially among those who wear skirts or kilts during games. In those situations, athletes wear compression shorts under the skirt so if they fall over and their skirts ride up, their underwear will not be exposed. This is seen particularly in women's lacrosse and field hockey (both being no-contact sports in which players often wear skirts). In this situation, compression shorts are colloquially identified as spandex shorts. Women also wear compression shorts in tennis; where most recently, compression shorts have been produced with ball pockets for convenience. There are also women's compression shorts for use before, during and after pregnancy. Pregnancy compression shorts supports upper and lower abdominal muscles, caesarean wounds and perineal stitches.