Revolutionizing Sports Apparel: Advancements in Functional Considerations
Sports apparel, also known as sportswear or active wear, refers to clothing and footwear specifically designed for sports and physical exercise. These garments are worn for practical, comfort, and, most importantly, safety reasons.
Sport-specific clothing is essential for most sports and exercises. It includes a range of items such as shorts, tracksuits, t-shirts, tennis and polo shirts. Specialized garments like wetsuits for swimming, diving or surfing, salopettes for skiing, and leotards for gymnastics are also part of sportswear. Additionally, sports underwear like jockstraps and sports bras, as well as footwear like trainers, are included in this category.
Different sports require a combination of various clothing items. In some cases, protective gear such as helmets or body armor is necessary for safety purposes, particularly in sports like American football.
FUNCTIONAL CONSIDERATION:
- Moisture transferring fabric.
- Thermal properties.
MOISTURE TRANSFERRING FABRIC:
One crucial aspect of sportswear design is the use of moisture-transferring fabric. This type of fabric ensures that the clothing remains lightweight and does not hinder the wearer’s movements. For example, in cycling, it is essential that the athletic wear / apparel does not create drag or feel bulky.
On the other hand, sportswear should also provide enough freedom of movement to avoid restricting the wearer. Certain sports, like karate, have specific style requirements, such as the use of keikogi. Moreover, physically demanding sports like fencing, ice hockey, and rugby necessitate the use of protective gear.
Standardized sportswear can also serve as a uniform, allowing teams to be easily identified by their distinct colors. Individual team members can be recognized by their names and numbers displayed on the back of their sportswear.
In sports that require form-fitting attire, such as wrestling, track and field, dance, gymnastics, and swimming, spandex is a preferred material due to its flexibility and stretchability.
THERMAL PROPERTIES:
When designing sportswear, it is crucial to consider the thermal insulation needs of the wearer. In hot conditions, the sportswear should facilitate cooling, while in cold environments, it should provide warmth.
Additionally, the sportswear apparel should have the ability to wick away sweat from the skin. One example of a fabric that excels in moisture transfer is spandex, which is commonly used as a base layer to absorb sweat. In activities like skiing and mountain climbing, this is achieved through layering. Moisture-wicking layers are worn closest to the skin, followed by insulating layers, and finally wind and water-resistant outer garments.
For instance, Nike’s Dri-Fit technology garments are composed of a hybrid microfiber / polyester fabric that is specifically engineered to rapidly absorb sweat away from the body.
The sweat is then transported to the surface of the garment, where it evaporates, effectively keeping the skin dry.
By prioritizing these functional considerations, sportswear designers can truly revolutionize the industry, ensuring that athletes and sports enthusiasts can perform at their best while maintaining optimal comfort and protection.
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