Sportswear Design Research Articles

Intelligent sportswear design: Innovative applications based on conjugated nanomaterials

Abstract Sport plays a crucial role in human society, fostering physical health, collaboration, and the spirit of rivalry. The importance of sports in promoting a sense of well-being, self-control, and cognitive sharpness should be considered. The efficacy of sports and athletic performance often relies on the caliber of clothing used. Traditional sportswear encounters many issues, including but not limited to restricted breathability, inefficient moisture management, and insufficient ultraviolet (UV) protection. To examine these concerns, the present study investigates the Intelligent Sportswear Design (ISWD), an innovative advancement rooted in conjugated nanomaterials. The field of ISWD covers the development of sports apparel and footwear specifically intended to boost performance and provide optimal comfort. Coatings of graphene, silver nanoparticles, and environmentally friendly green nanomaterials are employed in these multipurpose PES fabrics. This research looks at how we might better protect athletes from the sun by developing fabrics with UV-blocking qualities. Results show increased moisture-wicking efficiency, better UV-radiation protection, and enhanced electrical conductivity. The study found that fabric moisture management could be improved by 25%, UV-blocking performance could be increased by 30%, fabric conductivity could be increased by 15%, and heat retention could be decreased by 20%. The experimental results show that the proposed ISWD exhibits notable performance in several necessary measures, including moisture-wicking effectiveness (23.22%), UV-blocking performance (34.22%), fabric conductivity (20.88%), heat retention reduction (26.94%), and UV radiation shielding (35.68%).

Investigating the Impact of Air Permeability and Thermal Properties on Rib Knit Structures

Factors influencing the comfort and performance of knitted fabrics can be investigated to enhance the understanding and development of functional accessories. Issues related to the thermal regulation and moisture management of these materials are systematically explored in this research. Additionally, the effects of fibre type, yarn properties, fabric variables, and finishing methods are examined through the evaluation of physical properties relevant to the comfort of rib knit structures, particularly in sportswear design. 1x1 Rib knit 1structures were created using polyester spun, cotton spun, polyester filament, and viscose filament yarns with varying linear densities employing a KH-323N computerized flatbed knitting machine. Evaluations of physical properties, thermal characteristics, air permeability, antibacterial efficiency, and hydrophilic finish were conducted following ASTM standards and specific testing methods to thoroughly assess the quality and performance of the fabric. Significant insights into the physical and comfort properties of the fabrics were provided by the results. Varying thermal and air permeability characteristics were demonstrated by polyester-cotton and viscose-cotton fabrics. Thermal resistance and conductivity are influenced by filament denier, loop length, and knit structure, while these same factors affect air permeability. Air permeability is also impacted by finishing treatments, thereby highlighting the complex interplay between fabric properties and comfort. Advanced finishing techniques and novel fibre blends could be explored in future research to further optimize fabric comfort properties.

Design and development of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene seamless sportswear

This study analyses the protection and comfort needs of sportswear and, based on the protection and comfort needs, carries out functional and comfortable integral zoning of sportswear and its structure design. This study uses ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene as the main raw material, and combines the loops characteristics of each structural to design the structure of each part of the seamless sportswear, to realize the zoning design of the seamless sportswear. Through the testing and analysis of the seamless sportswear’s abrasion resistance, cut resistance, contact coolness performance, air permeability and liquid moisture management testing and analysis, it was found that the seamless sportswear developed in this study has excellent protection needs, with abrasion resistance far exceeding the standard of garment use, and can meet the needs of moderate cutting hazards; moreover, the comfort performance meets the physiological needs of the body, and has a better contact coolness performance, with a contact coolness coefficient of up to 0.34. Besides, the selection of the structure of each region of the sportswear meets the requirements of air permeability and moisture-conducting zoning. The research results can provide a basis for the pattern and structure design of UHMWPE seamless sportswear, and realize the rationality and efficiency of garment design.

Analysis of elastic polymeric materials as applied to leotards for rhythmic gymnastics

This article provides a comprehensive analysis of the requirements for rhythmic gymnastics leotards and examines various materials used for their production, with a special focus on the experimental study of the deformation properties of three types of biflex. Their maximum elongation capacity is studied, which is crucial for ensuring the comfort and functionality of sportswear. The testing methodologies used to assess these characteristics are described in detail, and the potential applications of the research findings in the design and production of sportswear are discussed. The conducted research has led to the formulation of recommendations for selecting the most suitable materials for rhythmic gymnastics leotards, considering their functional and aesthetic requirements. Particular attention is given to aspects such as breathability, elasticity, and color fastness of materials, ensuring durability and comfort in use. The research results demonstrate that the correct choice of materials and processing technologies can significantly improve the quality and performance characteristics of sportswear, which is especially important for professional athletes. Thus, the article presents valuable recommendations and conclusions that can be useful for designers and manufacturers of sportswear aiming to create high-quality products that meet modern standards and requirements.

Evaluating the impact of sportswear with different fabric properties on comfort and physiological response during running

ABSTRACT Comfort is vital in sportswear design. Previous research focused on the thermo-physiological comfort of modal blended fabric by examining its physical and thermal properties, neglecting comprehensive wear trials. This study compared the perceived comfort of two sportswear samples: polyester fabric and modal blended fabric. Ten participants (mean age = 22.4) wore the samples in random order during two trials. Each trial involved 25 min of treadmill running at a self-selected speed in a laboratory with a room temperature of 23.5 ± 1°C and 50% humidity. Heart rate, blood lactate level, skin temperature, perceived exertion, self-reported comfort, sportswear weight change, and fabric properties were recorded. Results showed that the blended fabric offered superior comfort despite the polyester fabric demonstrating better moisture transfer. This suggests that fabric composition and absorbency contribute to comfort and moisture transmission. Future studies should explore fabric structures and their impact on comfort in modal blended fabric using comprehensive human trials.

Importance of Thermal Insulation in Sportswear Design

Importance of Thermal Insulation in Sportswear Design

Electromyographic Insights and Simulations of Core Training in Compression Tights: Implications for Performance and Wearable Ergonomic

In exploring the performance-enhancing effects of compression sportswear, this study investigates its impact on trunk muscle activation during core stability training, with a particular focus on the biomechanical implications of this relationship. This research posits the existence of an Equilibrium Point of Motion (EPM) and employs surface Electromyography (EMG) to measure muscular responses in the Erector Spinae (ES), External Oblique (EO), and Rectus Abdominis (RA) during exercises performed with and without compression wear. Results revealed that compression garments significantly augment root mean square (RMS) values for ES and EO muscles, suggesting differential muscle activation patterns. Further, the application of OpenSim modeling of full-body musculoskeletal mechanics facilitated a novel analysis of muscle forces and activations, enhancing the understanding of sportswear functionality in an ergonomic context. This approach uncovered significant correlations between actual and simulated muscle activations, particularly for the ES and EO during a gluteal bridge exercise. These insights contribute to the development of ergonomically-engineered sportswear aimed at optimizing athletic performance and provide a valuable reference for future sportswear design and research.

Design of protected clothing for the cockpit for safety purposes

Kokpar" is an extreme equestrian game with a very deep history. The peculiarity of the game is that the horsemen who can ride a horse, who participate in it, are divided into two teams, regardless of age and weight category. The game kokpar has acquired a special character in the culture of nomads and is widespread among the people to this day. There are a lot of movements in the game kokpar with the risk of serious injury, players are constantly on the move, dangerous moments often arise that can lead to injury. The purpose of the research work is to improve the clothing of the kokpar crew from the point of view of safety. In this regard, this article defines the type of movements that directly affect injuries in the game. The conditions of the sports game were studied, the main shortcomings of the current clothing were revealed, and a protective headdress was prepared to protect the player's head from injury. Based on the analysis of scientific and technical information and scientific works, the rules of the game were studied, the ergonomics of the players' movements were determined, and the clothes used in games were considered. The constructive design of sportswear was developed using the widely used automated CAD program "Grafis". As a result, a rational design of sportswear for playing "Kokpar" was developed, and a protective set was made – a knee pad and a headdress. The game of "Kokpar" mobilizes (engages) young people to participate in national equestrian games. This game contributes to the fact that the horsemen become more active and fit. At the same time, it leads to the dexterity of riding. Designed headgear and knee pads to protect riders from injury during equestrian sports games.

The visual perception of wetness: The role of stain chroma, size, and hue

AbstractA range of sensory cues contribute to human wetness perception, yet we know little of how visual modalities are involved, specifically if in‐situ physical observations differ from ex‐situ online observations. We aimed to assess the effect of stain volume, chroma, size, and hue on the wetness perception of static images, with a comparison to previously collected in‐situ data. A total of 440 participants completed the online study, including 18 from an analogous in‐situ study. Stimuli varied in physical wetness (0, 2.16 × 10−4 or 3.45 × 10−4 mL mm−2), stain chroma (clear saline, light synthetic urine, dark synthetic urine) and stain size (1150 or 5000 mm2). Further stimuli of a fixed wetness (3.45 × 10−4 mL mm−2) varied in stain hue (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, violet) and stain size (1150 or 5000 mm2). Participants rated wetness perception using a visual analogue scale (very dry to very wet) and modified yes/no task (dry/wet, gloss/matte, dilute/concentrate). Participants successfully discriminated between all physical wetness levels. Wetness perception shared a positive relationship with stain chroma and size, and varied with hue such that higher wavelengths resulted in greater wetness perception. Finally, online and in‐situ wetness perception did not significantly differ.Practical ApplicationsThe findings fundamentally contribute to our scientific understanding of wetness perception, giving evidence toward different multisensory integration theories. Further applications lie in industry, such as improving the structure, function, and perception of absorbent hygiene products or informing the design of sportswear with moisture management properties. Additionally, findings may aid the improvement of digital software which uses visual wetness components, for example in augmented and virtual realities.

Parameterized shape adaptive materials for sportswear

PurposeConventional sportswear design does not take into account body size changes that many individuals experience (e.g. through pregnancy, puberty, menstruation, etc.). This paper aims to detail both the construction of a novel wearable shape-adaptive composite and a new meso-scale material design method, which enables the optimal creation of these structures.Design/methodology/approachThis work reports the development of a predictive computational model and a corresponding design tool, including results of a tensile testing protocol to validate their outputs. A mathematical model was developed to explore the geometric parameter space of a bi-stable composite system, which then feeds into an optimization design tool.FindingsThe authors found that it is possible to fabricate shape-adaptive composites via 3D printing bi-stable structures, and adhering them to a base textile. Experimental mechanical tensile testing showed good agreement with the predictive model in mid-range unit cell amplitude designs. To illustrate how the optimization design tool works this paper details two design examples, one for expected shape change during pregnancy and one for targeted compression for high performance swimwear. The optimized design parameters are shown to replicate the target parameters, however there is potential for further improvement with a lower stiffness base textile.Originality/valueAlthough there is a wealth of research on multi-stable mechanisms, there is a dearth of studies that apply these structures in the wearable composite space. Additionally, there is a need for design methods which leverage the structurally-programmable capabilities of multi-stable structures to create optimized, high-performance functional composites.

Comfort perception of tight winter-based sportswear

PurposeIn order to study the static and dynamic comfort of tight sportswear in winter, the subjective comfort was aimed to be evaluated by collecting sensory data such as humidity feeling, cold feeling and other perceptions. In this paper, the experiment was divided into standing, squatting, jumping, jogging, walking and so on.Design/methodology/approachThrough particle swarm optimization-cuckoo search model, the sensory factors that affect the overall comfort were optimized, and it was found that there were great differences in the overall comfort factors under different motions. Then, analytic hierarchy process was used to sort the optimized sensory indicators in each experimental stage, and the influence degree of sensory indicators was studied. Finally, by the long short-term memory (LSTM) model, taking comfort senses of standing, squatting, jumping and jogging as input parameters, and regarding comfort senses of walking, lifting legs and resting as output parameters, the prediction model was founded.FindingsThe results showed that there were certain differences between the prediction value and the real subjective evaluation value, but most of the predicted values were consistent with the real values on the sensory level, and the overall prediction level was good, which meant that the LSTM model had more accurate prediction ability for subjective evaluation and could be extended to other sports.Originality/valueThe research results could provide scientific methods for the design of tight-fitting sportswear in winter.

A Case Study of Developing a Paralympic Shooting Jacket for Disabled Athletes

Disabled athletes participate in sports at elite levels; however, industry product and academic research regarding adaptive sportswear is lacking. Limited availability of sportswear can be a barrier to participation in athletics for disabled people, particularly athletes with mobility differences. This study therefore aimed to enhance the sportswear design process in a single-case study of a Paralympic shooting athlete who participated in the 2020 Paralympic games. Qualitative and anthropometric data were collected via a high-communication, five-step design process. The researchers explored 3D apparel design technologies in tandem with physical prototyping methods to understand benefits and challenges of said tools in adaptive sportswear development. Key findings of this work include understanding of disabled athletes’ needs, design considerations for adaptive sportswear development, and found benefits and challenges of technology use. The knowledge acquired in this case study offers valuable contributions for researchers and manufacturers that can advance sportswear design for all disabled athletes.

Great expectations and unfulfilled dreams: the design and production of sportswear in the late USSR (1960S-1991)

Cet article est centré sur le Comité des sports de l’URSS et en particulier sur la Maison des prototypes de vêtements de sport (DMSO), située à Moscou, qui embauchait des artistes et des créateurs de mode pour développer des innovations à la fois esthétiques et fonctionnelles. Il propose d’abord une chronologie du développement de l’industrie soviétique des vêtements de sport après la Seconde Guerre mondiale. Trois périodes peuvent être distinguées : de la fin des années 1940 à la fin des années 1950, de 1960 à 1980 et de 1980 à 1991. L’article explore ensuite la tentative soviétique de créer un système non capitaliste de sélection et de développement de nouveaux produits pour la production de masse. Elle passe par l’ouverture en 1962 d’un centre de conception spécialisé (la DMSO), qui emploie des créateurs de mode et est responsable de toute la gamme de vêtements de sport. Toutefois le succès reste limité. Le potentiel de cette initiative révolutionnaire n’a pas été exploité du fait des limites de l’économie planifiée et des problèmes rencontrés : une coordination complexe des différents acteurs dans la chaîne de production ; des tensions entre les concepteurs et les usines ; la structure industrielle, dans laquelle la production de masse d’articles de sport ne fonctionnait pas comme une industrie indépendante ; les industries dites connexes qui développaient et fournissaient de nouvelles machines de production ou encore de nouvelles matières premières artificielles ; enfin, les enjeux d’échange industriel.À partir des années 1960, cette industrie a adopté une nouvelle approche, considérant les nouveautés du sportswear liées aux tendances esthétiques contemporaines comme une caractéristique de la modernité. Elle a donc fait appel à des professionnels de la mode qui ont appliqué la pratique du design désormais en vogue à une large gamme de vêtements de sport, des vêtements de performance aux articles produits pour un grand nombre de consommateurs. Cette analyse permet de réviser la vision dominante des interactions entre l’industrie de la mode et la production de masse de vêtements de sport, en montrant que celles-ci ne sont pas un phénomène nouveau apparu seulement dans les années 2000.

Fashionable sportswear working as a body measurement collecting tool

PurposeA two-dimensional (2D) body measurement system was implemented to study the application of sportswear design in measurement garment development. A total of 50 participants were recruited. The basic demographic information and sportswear preference data were collected through a survey to understand consumer preferences and acceptance of the new designs. The body measurements were collected through both the selected 2D measurement system and a commercial three-dimensional scanning booth to evaluate measurement accuracy.Design/methodology/approachFinding the right size has been a long-existing problem for clothing consumers. Size problem is the most common reason for e-commerce returns and adds a high cost for retailers. One possible solution is to offer consumers an easy-to-use method that extracts accurate body measurements to be used for clothing size selection. The purpose of this research is to apply sportswear design elements on measurement garments to see if consumers’ interest in using the 2D measurement system can be increased without influencing the measurement accuracy.FindingsThe results showed that the added design features increased consumers’ interest in using 2D body measuring technology without significantly influencing measurement accuracy.Originality/valueThis research applied sportswear elements to convert a 2D measurement bodysuit to a fashionable clothing product. The solution resolved users’ privacy concerns and increased their acceptance and use of the technology. Other studies have not focused on using aesthetic features to improve the 2D measurement technology.

Thermo-physiological comfort properties of different woven fabrics used in sportswear for outdoor activities

In this study, the thermo-physiological wear comfort is mainly characterized by the thermal and water vapor resistance performance of the woven fabrics used as sportswear for outdoor activities. The commonly used twill woven fabric with different thicknesses, weight, and density are selected for the experimental analysis, and it finds that fabric weight and thickness have crucial effects on the thermal resistance, and the water vapor resistance depends linearly on density and thickness. The present study gives an optimal design of sportswear for outdoor activities with low thermal and water vapor resistance.

The comfort of knitted fabrics: interaction of sportswear and athlete’s body

The properties of the material used for the production of sportswear, as well as the properties of the sportswear, directly affect the heat exchange and sweat transfer that occurs at the interface between the skin and the environment. Thermography is a valuable method that provides insight into the patterns of temperature distribution on the surface of human skin that change during sports training or intense exercise. Such patterns can be further used to improve the design of sportswear. The experiment presented in this paper focuses on studying the changes in body temperature of the participating subjects during two typical types of training in football (condition training and tactical training). The duration of each training session was 60 minutes and measurements were taken after each of the total 10 training sessions. The thermal camera was used to measure the upper body temperatures of the players and the professional software was used for further processing of the thermal images. In the analysis of the thermal data, the average temperatures for 9 anterior and 9 posterior zones of the upper body were obtained. The results related to the changes in average temperature for each observed anterior and posterior zone and two types of football training are presented and discussed.

Evaluation of the comfort of sportswear

Sportswear comfort is a very important content in the evaluation of sportswear design and development. By reading relevant research literature at home and abroad, it is concluded that the commonly used evaluation methods in the study of sportswear comfort are subjective feeling evaluation method, objective evaluation method and subjective and objective comprehensive evaluation method, etc., and the implementation requirements, advantages and disadvantages of different evaluation methods are analyzed. Research shows that the actual performance of sportswear in survey research, is usually subjective feelings and objective evaluation method is used in combination, in the experimental study on the design to improve targeting, as far as possible to improve the effectiveness of the test results, comprehensive analysis of the different test results at the same time, to achieve a comprehensive, scientific, appropriate and accurate evaluation conclusion.

Considerations for Designing Sportswear for Low-Income Tropical Countries

Heat illnesses are critical for endurance athletes living in tropical and developing countries. However, the requirements of these athletes have not been considered in existing sportswear. Therefore, this study aims to assess the perceptions of endurance athletes living in a developing and tropical country regarding cooling sportswear. Four focus groups were conducted with 20 Sri Lankan endurance cycling athletes. Participants desired cooling sportswear to dissipate heat effectively in a tropical climate and to support personalized cooling while blocking heat discomfort from external sunlight. They preferred uniformity and team representation in the cooling sportswear design, expressing their emotional expectations related to the culture. Furthermore, participants recommended utilizing local resources for producing high-performance cycling wear to cost-effectively fulfil their requirements. The climatic, cultural and economic factors identified in this study shed light onto sportswear design for athletes living in tropical and developing countries.

Potential Application of Temporal 3D (4D) Scanning to Ergonomic Design: State-of-the-art and its Perspectives

Objective: This study aimed to provide a comprehensive review of literature on 3D and 4D scanning technologies and potential applications of 4D scanning techniques in ergonomic product design.<BR><BR>Background: Dynamic anthropometric data is needed to consider the changes of human body dimensions while using a product in the product design process.<BR><BR>Method: A literature review was conducted on 34 papers which were selected by the process of title screening, abstract screening, and full text screening. <BR><BR>Results: 3D scanning techniques can be classified into three catalogs: laser, structured light, and stereo photogrammetry. Though still challenging, 4D scanning systems self-built or commercialized have been developed. 4D scanning systems have been applied to understanding foot-shape changes and foot kinematics during walking, analyzing human facial movements, and evaluating the fit of sportswear design.<BR><BR>Conclusion: 4D scanning systems have great potential in design and evaluation of ergonomic products.<BR><BR>Application: The literature survey results can be of help to understand 4D scanning systems and their applicability in ergonomic design and evaluation.

Biomechanical analysis of the effect of compression sportswear on running

Compression garments have been used in medicine for many years. Because of the external compression the linear velocity of the blood flow increases inducing an improved blood circulation. According to recent researches in the field of compression garments’ efficiency in sport exercises, there are no any conventional consequences. Moreover, during the sportswear design procedure, the overcompression of a given sportswear would be an important key factor. The aim of this research was to compare different running sportswear applying motion analysis and physiological measurements. During the experimentation three different running suits were examined. Firstly, a purchased compression running suit was tested. Afterwards, two self-designed garments with different undercut were examined. The compression of the sportswear was measured with a Picopress type pressure probe. Finally, as a secondary aim of the present research a pilot study was implemented involving 4 young female free-time runners. The participants ran 12 min with gradually increasing velocities (7-8-10-11 km/h). The motion was recorded with an OptiTrack based motion capture system with a full body biomechanical markerset containing 39 retroreflective markers. In parallel with the motion analysis, the body temperature was measured continuously with a thermometer. Moreover, the heartrate was monitored with a pulse oximeter. Applying the data from the motion capture system, the thermometer and the pulse oximeter some statistical analysis were carried out on every velocity interval. The results shown that compression influences the overall picture of the motion. Considering a similar editing and material composition of the garments, it can be concluded that physiological improvements occurred by the enhanced blood circulation.