Compression brace material with arcuate slits

A composite orthopedic support material comprising:

• a center layer made from a stretchable closed cell material, the center layer having an inner face and an outer face, and wherein the inner face comprises a plurality of intersecting elongate grooves forming a network of channels;
• a porous, elastic inner panel attached to the center layer and overlying the inner face of the center layer such that the inner panel does not block at least some of the elongate grooves;
• and
• a porous, elastic outer panel attached to the center layer and overlying the outer face of the center layer;
• wherein the center layer further comprises a plurality of arcuate slits defining circular tab portions attached along one side to the center layer, the arcuate slits extending completely through the thickness of the center layer and formed without removing significant material from the center layer such that the slits are substantially closed when the center layer is unstretched, and the slits produce air flow paths through the center layer when the composite material is stretched, and wherein at least some of the plurality of intersecting grooves intersect at least some of the plurality of arcuate slits.