woman running up a rocky slope while wearing Bauerfeind's Sports Back Support

Are you on the fence about getting a back brace for long-distance running? While it’s true that you won’t strictly need one unless you’re exercising after an injury or experiencing some back pain when you run, there are still plenty of benefits that a quality brace can offer. So, from boosting endurance to avoiding irritating conditions, here’s what a back brace can do for you. 


Boost muscle endurance

Woman taking a break from marathon running. She's faced away from the camera and is wearing Bauerfeind's Sports Back Support

Sports Back Support

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Has your back ever started to feel sore and tired after a long run? While it's true that the legs do a lot of the work, your core muscles play an essential role in maintaining your posture and protecting your spine from impact shocks. So after a while (especially if your spine isn’t as used to running 15 ks as your legs are), your core muscles may tire out. 

Studies show that compression knit helps delay muscle fatigue. A back brace does so in two key ways: 

  1. It boosts circulation through your core. When the blood supply to the muscles increases, they get nutrients and oxygen at a faster rate, reducing the rate of fatigue. 
  2. The compression weave communicates with muscle fibres, helping them transmit and receive messages to and from the brain. As a result, you can activate your muscles more efficiently.

Improve your running posture

Your running posture plays a crucial role in your overall running form. Even if the rest of your form is flawless, poor posture can negatively affect oxygen intake and muscle endurance, leading to injury. 

As a compression back brace communicates with the muscles, it will remind your core to keep your spine in a neutral position. With good running posture, you’ll more evenly distribute impact pressure through your back. You’ll also be able to breathe easier, as your ribs and lungs will be in a more ‘open’ position. 


Help you avoid back injury and pain

Training for a marathon involves a lot of running. Unfortunately, even if you follow a training guide to the letter and safely increase your distance over time, your back muscles and spine may still disapprove. 

And as a result, you may experience tightening paraspinal muscles, sacroiliac or facet joint dysfunction, or even back tendonitis. Fortunately, as these conditions typically result from muscle fatigue or excess pressure from impact, wearing a back brace while you run can work wonders. Improved posture, muscle endurance, and pressure load distribution mean you’ll be less likely to develop these conditions.


Relieve back pain when running

Woman putting on Bauerfeind's SacroLoc Back Brace to relieve back pain on her jogs

SacroLoc Back Brace

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If you’ve had to minimise your marathon training due to back pain, a back brace can help here, too. At the risk of sounding like a broken record: 

  • Back braces like our Sports Back Support and SacroLoc Back Brace incorporate special viscoelastic pads that massage painful areas as you move. 
  • Compression knit works with your muscles, helping them better support your spine.
  • With improved posture and increased support, your disks and nerves will be under less pressure and subject to less stress as you run.

Learn more: Pain in Lower Back When Running? Here’s How to Fix It


Some things to consider

A back brace is an excellent piece of gear for a long-distance runner. But not every back brace is made equal. You must keep size, quality, and relative comfort in mind when picking yours out. Simply put, a back brace that is made of quality knit, fits like a glove, and has good breathability and moisture-wicking properties will be much more effective and easier to wear than the alternative.

Additionally, it’s always best to combine bracing with other methods when it comes to boosting performance and preventing injury. Core strengthening, leg stretching, and rest days are all instrumental in keeping your back safe, strong, and pain-free.



To sum up 

Marathon training (and long-distance running in general) can put a lot of stress on your back. Fortunately, a good back brace goes a long way - especially when combined with other techniques. With Bauerfeind, you’ll reduce muscle fatigue, relieve painful symptoms, minimise the risk of injury, and improve performance. 


If you require assistance selecting the right product for your needs or wearing the brace, call us on 1300 668 466 or contact us via live chat.

Do you have private health? Most private health extras will cover Bauerfeind Products. Check to see if yours is included. Bauerfeind Private Health Insurance Inquiry.   
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