Wraps are elastic type bandages typically wrapped around the knees, elbows and wrists whereas sleeves are more single tubular pieces made from a stretch material, usually a neoprene They are often common place in powerlifting and to a degree in weightlifting.
Wraps
The knee wraps, like a belt, and to a lesser degree elbow wraps can allow a lifter to lift more. The wrist wraps don’t necessarily assist in increasing the load lifted but rather they reduce the stress on the joint. Elbow wraps maybe be more middle of the road with both assistance and supportive role in lifting.
Wraps come in different lengths and in general the longer the wraps the more support that will be provided. Shorter wraps are sufficient for every day use such as with wrist wraps while longer wraps are better for when greater support is needed with max loads.
Sleeves
Sleeves are generally less for support and more for keeping the joint warm. The compression element of sleeves increases blood flow while also adding warmth. Sleeves can increase proprioception thus decreasing potential damage in the future due to faulty biomechanics. Some knee sleeves are also designed to assist in the tracking or support of the patella.
Concerns to keep in mind with using Wraps and Sleeves
The concerns of wraps over sleeves are very different. There concerns whether the use of the knee wraps are damaging in any way to the knee and there maybe some merit to this however when used appropriately and correctly may not necessarily reduce or increase the risk of injury to the knee but may allow greater loads to be used. The danger is when a load is lifted that exceeds your technical ability, giving the lifter a false sense of security. The caution with wraps is not to use them too often and use periodization in their use.
Sleeves on the other hand can be used far more often especially in colder weather but at anytime to maintain warmth withing the joint and potentially reducing risk of injury or pain. They potentially could be used in every training session.
Possible benefits of using Wraps and Sleeves
Wraps provide greater support and joint stability when used for maximum loads. This may allow greater loads to use used increasing high threshold muscle fiber recruitment. Greater loads with wraps may result in increase loads without wraps, more specifically knee wraps and to some degree for elbow wraps.
Wrist wraps are different to knee wraps in that they are used to reduce strain on the wrist joint. These maybe used more often especially on lifts where there could be excessive compression forces through the wrist joint. They may have a secondly function of maintaining warmth in the wrist joint.
Sleeves provide compression and warmth decreasing potential joint related issues and can be used in every training session if need be.
Programming for Wraps and Sleeves
It is suggest that they be used sparingly, in the heavier load phases of your programing. If or when you do use knee wraps, consider this periodization and if possible have a set of older wraps and a set of newer wraps as the older wraps lose some of the affects the elasticity. The older wraps could be used for warmup sets while the newer wraps for the main working sets.
The tension of wrist straps can vary according to load. As the load increases, so should the tension of the wrist straps. Unlike sleeves you should back them off during the rest periods.