During this year World Cupa scene is repeated game after game: several players enter the field with holes in the calves of their socks. Social media is full of theories about the supposed competitive advantage this could give them. But the practice is not new. This has been observed at the European Championships, Olympic Games and other international competitions over the past decade. Yet science has yet to find proof that it improves performance.
Professional football socks are, by design, fitted. In addition to keeping the shin guards in place, they provide support to the ankle, arch and calf; they help manage moisture and reduce foot movement inside the cleat to improve stability. This design principle was used in professional football for decades. Although materials have evolved to become lighter and more durable, they remain primarily based on synthetic fibers such as polyester, nylon and spandex.
But many players have complained that the socks are too tight and cause a tingling and numb feeling in the calves. The discomfort is so great that mid-match, they make several holes in the calves to “release tension” and run better.
There is a biomechanical component to this sensation. When sprinting or changing direction, the largest muscle in the calf contracts and thickens to generate the force that propels the athlete forward. This shapeshifting happens thousands of times during a game. For some, the repeated expansion of the muscle is enough to create a feeling of pressure as the sock exerts constant compression on the calf.
Over time, the practice of poking holes in socks took on an almost intuitive explanation among players themselves: opening the fabric allows the muscle to “breathe,” thereby relieving pressure and reducing the risk of pain or cramping. However, sports medicine and recovery specialists point out that there are no studies showing that poking holes in socks provides any benefit. In fact, much of the research on compression garments concludes that, when properly designed and fitted, they can help limit muscle inflammation after strenuous exercise.
Despite the lack of evidence regarding its physiological benefits, the practice continues to spread among professional footballers. Today, it is considered above all an anecdotal phenomenon, based on the experience of each actor. personal experience rather than scientific evidence. In addition, the rules of the game do not prohibit modifying socks, as long as the equipment remains safe and the shin guards remain properly covered. (A football player cannot, however, play with a torn jersey.)
In the absence of scientific evidence, several specialists believe that part of the phenomenon could be explained by the player’s own perception of comfort. In high-performance sports, the feeling of comfort can influence the confidence with which an athlete competes. If a soccer player feels that a piece of clothing is restrictive, eliminating that perceived discomfort may allow them to feel freer to run, accelerate, or change direction, even if their performance remains objectively unchanged.
Although there is no evidence that cutting socks provides a competitive advantage or reduces the risk of injury, this does not mean that the feeling of discomfort is imaginary. The perception of pressure, restriction, or comfort depends on several factors, ranging from individual anatomy and sensitivity to the athlete’s past experiences. In other words, two players can react differently even though they are wearing the exact same equipment.
For now, it looks like the sock cutting will continue. The available evidence indicates a mechanism similar to that of other sports rituals: its effect is primarily psychological, not necessarily physiological.
This article was originally published on WIRED in spanish and was translated from Spanish.