XIIIth International Izmir Textile and Apparel Symposium

April 2-5, 2014

CHARACTERISTICS OF ATHLETIC APPAREL PRODUCTS

Özlem Kurtoğlu Necef1, Derya Tama2, Ziynet Öndoğan2
1
Ege University, Emel Akın Vocational Training School, Bornova, İzmir, Turkey
2
Ege University, Department of Textile Engineering, Bornova, İzmir, Turkey
ozlem.kurtoglu@ege.edu.tr

ABSTRACT
Athletics is a term encompassing the human competitive sports and games requiring physical skill, and the
systems of training that prepare athletes for competition performance. Athletic sports or contests are
competitions which are primarily based on human, physical competition, demanding the qualities of stamina,
fitness ad skill. At this stage, the clothing comfort comes to the fore. In this study, primarily the environmental
conditions for athletes were examined. The characteristics of athletes’ clothing were investigated by considering
fabric properties, harmony of the body, garment pattern, manufacturing techniques and model.

Keywords: Athletics, clothing comfort, athletic garments, athletic garment manufacturing.

1. INTRODUCTION

Over the last few years, the potential sales of casual and sport clothing have been growing all
over the world, so the manufacturers and researchers devoted their studies to this field. While
fashion is one of the most important factors in selecting daily clothing, the clothing comfort
becomes a key parameter for sport clothing.

There are many factors to consider when selecting athletic apparel products. For the best
athletic performance, the garments should neither physically restrict the athlete nor
psychologically detract from the player's performance due to the concerns about how he/she
looks. Aesthetic factors such as school colors, garment style, and uniform size and fit must be
considered [1]. Additionally, athletics apparel products should be assisting the body natural
ability to regulate temperature when running in a variety of conditions. The products keep
runners comfortable, protected, fit and focused on performing at their best.

2. ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECTS OF ATHLETICS

The meteorological conditions play an important role in athletics. In athletics, the

environmental aspects vary over a wide range. For instance, the 1982 Farnham marathon was
run in rain with an ambient temperature of 12˚C and a wind of 32 kph. The weather for the
1984 Guildford marathon was even worse. It was run on March 25th in a maximum ambient
temperature of 7.6˚C, a wind gusting to more than 48 kph and heavy rain in the second half.
Hot conditions pose more of a danger to runners. American College of Sports Medicine
(1975) recommended that "distance races should not be conducted when the wet bulb
temperature exceeds 28°C" [2].

Few field studies have examined the effect of weather conditions on endurance running
performance. Although it is generally observed that race performances worsen as weather
warms, there are currently no data quantifying the magnitude of performance reduction [3].

419
 XIIIth International Izmir Textile and Apparel Symposium
April 2-5, 2014

3. CLOTHING COMFORT

Comfort is a fundamental and universal need of a human being. However, it is very complex
and is very difficult to define. Slater defined comfort as “a pleasant state of physiological,
psychological and physical harmony between a human being and the environment” [4, 5].

Although it is difficult to describe comfort positively, discomfort can be easily described in

such terms as prickle, itch, hot and cold. According to Hatch (1993), comfort is “freedom
from pain and from discomfort as a neutral state”. The discomfort arises from too hot, too
cold, and odorous or stale atmosphere. Comfort conditions are those that do not cause
unpleasant sensation of temperature, drafts (unwanted local cooling), humidity or other
aspects of the environment [5].

The skin is still the best fabric available, with regard to human physiological concerns such as
breathability, thermal regulation, movement, fit, agility, sensitivity and grip. For modesty as
well as climatic and environmental reasons, clothing has been adopted and modified over the
centuries in an attempt to achieve the neutral state of “comfort” [6].

Internal body temperatures of people are constant, even though the environmental temperature
has changed. The body profound webbing heat except an inflammatory disease, should be
kept constant 37 °C and during the day approximate ±0,6°C changes. A naked person could
kept constant the internal body temperature in dry air conditions between 12,5-55°C. The
body internal temperature can be kept constant even -40°C with the clothes which prevent the
loss of heat [7].

The clothing comfort of sportswear is an important quality criterion. It affects not only the
well-being of the wearer but also their performance and efficiency [8]. Sports apparel, driven
by innovation in fibers, fabrics and garment manufacturing techniques, enables the athlete to
“feel good” which, in turn, promotes better performance [6].

4. MATERIALS AND FABRICS FOR ATHLETIC APPAREL PRODUCTS

The most important parameter that determines the comfort of a cloth is the material. The type
of fiber is the most crucial specification which determines important properties such as
strength, durability, handle, elasticity, dyeability, luster, friction properties, moisture
absorbance, heat isolation and abrasion resistance; all the physical and chemical properties of
fibers and their end-products. Fiber type is the most effective parameter in defining the
comfort of the end-product [9].

Polyester is the single most common fiber used for athletic apparel products. Other fibers are
polyamide, polypropylene, acrylics and elastanes. Synthetic fibers can either be modified
during manufacture, e.g. by producing hollow fibers and fibers with irregular cross-section, or
be optimally blended with natural fibers to improve their thermo-physiological and sensory
properties [10]. Natural fibers as wool and cotton are not sufficient alone in this active sport.
They are often blended with other synthetic fibers or used in outer side of the double layer
fabric.

420
 XIIIth International Izmir Textile and Apparel Symposium
April 2-5, 2014

Because of their unique structure, hollow fibers have been used in rather different fields of
general textile use and in special-purpose products. Hollow fibers have profitable properties
for some applications because of their large surface/volume ratio [11]. The cross-section of
this fiber has a tubular form that contains one or more holes and gives the following
advantages as over solid fibers:

 more resilience/recovery
 more bulky and fluffy
 higher heat insulation
 better cover
 lighter in weight
 higher absorption of water and perspiration [9].

Hollow polypropylene microfibers are used because of their high breathability, light weight
and softness. These fibers are highly elastic and have perfect temperature control and thermal
isolation. Their seamless construction ensures superb comfort next to the skin with excellent
moisture delivery [9].

The fabric structures and physical properties of fabrics also play an important role for clothing
comfort of the garment. In athletics garments, knitted fabrics have wider usage area in
comparison with woven fabrics.

Knittings and warp knittings have special properties concerning the flexibility of the textile
structure due to their mesh structure. Consequently they are predestined for tight and close-
fitting sports textiles as athletic apparel products [12].

5. FEATURES OF ATHLETIC APPAREL PRODUCTS

In today’s textile industry, there are considerably increase in consumers demand on comfort,
style and environmentally friendly products. Therefore, the high performance garments for
athletic wear are manufactured from both natural and synthetic fibers. In the last decades, it
has seen a trend toward fabric that stretches more and more to accommodate moving bodies
while maintaining style and comfort.

With the increasing demand of compression garments in athletic wear in the athletics there is
a growing need to understand and engineer these garments [13]. Style, reduced chaffing,
injury prevention, anecdotal and research-supported evidence of performance enhancement
are all reasons cited for wearing these compressive garments [14].

Compression garments made of power stretch materials, or bands of flexible but high
modulus materials incorporated into garments, provide support for working muscles, and are
reputed to reduce muscle fatigue and provide warmth to the muscles, resulting in more
efficient performance (Figure 1). There is evidence that use of these garments can improve the
cellular processes that repair structural damage to the skeletal muscle following eccentric
exercise [15].

421
 XIIIth International Izmir Textile and Apparel Symposium
April 2-5, 2014

Figure 1. Compression garment for runners.

Doan et al (2003), generated a study to determine how custom-fit compression shorts affect
athletic performance. Ten male and 10 female track athletes specializing in sprint or jump
events, participated in the study. Testing utilized the compression shorts with loose-fitting
gym shorts as the control garment. The garment is custom-fit to be hyper-compressive (15%
smaller than the athlete’s measurements) and is made of 75% closed cell neoprene and 25%
butyl rubber; the garment is 4.76 mm thick. Although 60m sprint time was not affected, hip
flexion angle was reduced. Countermovement vertical jump height increased when the
participants were wearing the custom-fit compression garment [16].

Besides, fabrics and films with high modulus and good recovery are also used in modern
athletic apparel to interact with the movement of the body in other ways. Braces on knees or
elbows can either protect the joint from hyperextension or provide support to a joint whose
function has been compromised by a previous injury. These devices provide many amateur
and aging athletes as well as Professional athletes with much needed support, without which
their activities would be compromised [15].

Additionally, the stitch types are also a substantial factor that effect clothing comfort in
athletic apparel products. Although overlocked stitches are flexible, strong and efficient, they
give a raised bead inside which can be irritate the user especially in compression garments.
Nevertheless flatlock stitch is stronger, smoother and less irritating seam. Because of these
features, flatlock stitch is preferred to use on side seams or inside legs.

6. CONCLUSION

Because of the growing niche in the technical sports apparel, the companies enter this field.
They analyzed the specialized needs of today’s athletes and develop high performance
garments that answering these needs. Nowadays athletic garments not only provide clothing
comfort, they also support athletes in their competitions.

In apparel industry, designers must have knowledge of textile properties and constructions in
tandem with a basic understanding of human physiology and issues to do with survival [6].
Consequently, evaluating materials and fabrics carefully, preparing garment patterns
accurately and determining stitch types appropriately are the key factors to provide and
improve comfort performance of athletic apparel products.

422
 XIIIth International Izmir Textile and Apparel Symposium
April 2-5, 2014

REFERENCES

[1] Wheat L.K., and Dickson M.A., Uniforms for Collegiate Female Golfers: Cause for
Dissatisfaction and Role Conflict?, Clothing and Textiles Research Journal, 1999, 17:1, 1-10pp.
[2] Porter A. M. W., Mrcgp MD, Marathon running and adverse weather conditions: A miscellany,
Brit. J. Sports Med., 1984, Vol. 18, No. 4 pp 261-264.
[3] http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/555022_1 (05.01.2014)
[4] Cureklibatır Encan B., Temel C., Tama D., Öndoğan Z., Yurdakul B., Evaluation of certain
fabrics’ thermal comfort properties and a design suggestion for active sports, The International
Istanbul Textile Congress, 2013, Istanbul, Turkey.
[5] Choudhury A. K. R., Majumdar P. K., Datta C., Improving Comfort in Clothing, Chapter 1:
Factors affecting comfort: human physiology and the role of clothing, The Textile Institute,
Woodhead Publishing Limited, England, 2011, 459 p.
[6] McCann J., Textiles in Sport, Chapter 4: Material requirements for the design of performance
sportswear, The Textile Institute, Woodhead Publishing Limited, England, 2005, 364 p.
[7] Ünal M., Sıcak ve soğuk ortamda egzersiz, İst. Tıp. Fak. Mecmuası, 2002, 65:3 pp 206-210.
[8] Bartels V. T., Textiles in Sport, Chapter 9: Physiological comfort of sportswear The Textile
Institute, Woodhead Publishing Limited, England, 2005, 364 p.
[9] Ravandi S. A. H. and Valizadeh M., Improving Comfort in Clothing, Chapter 2: Properties of
fibers and fabrics that contribute to human comfort, The Textile Institute, Woodhead Publishing
Limited, England, 2011, 459 p.
[10] Shishoo R., Textiles in Sport, Chapter 1: Introduction, The Textile Institute, Woodhead
Publishing Limited, England, 2005, 364 p.
[11] Petrulis D., Fundamental Study of the Effect of the Fiber Wall Thickness and Inner Diameter on
the Structure of Polyamide and Polypropylene Hollow Fibers, Journal of Applied Polymer
Science, Vol., 2004, 92, pp 2017–2022.
[12] Stegmaier T., Mavely J., Schneider P., Textiles in Sport, Chapter 6: High-performance and
high-functional fibres and textiles, The Textile Institute, Woodhead Publishing Limited,
England, 2005, 364 p.
[13] Williams M. E., Form-Fitted Athletic Wear Comfort and Performance Optimization, Master of
Science Thesis, Raleigh, North Carolina, 2009, p 221.
[14] Kraemer W. J., Mewton R. U., Kwon Y. H., A Detailed Investigation of the AntiBody Lower-
Body Compression Garments on Athletic Performance, Technical Report, The Human
Performance Laboratory, Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana, United States, p 21.
[15] Ashdown S., Improving Comfort in Clothing, Chapter 11: Improving body movement comfort in
apparel, The Textile Institute, Woodhead Publishing Limited, England, 2011, 459 p.
[16] Doan B K., Kwon Y. H., Newton R U., Shim J., Popper E. M., Rogers R. A., Bolt L. R.,
Robertson M., Kraemer W. J., Evaluation of a lower-body compression garment, Journal of
Sports Sciences, 2003, 21, pp 601-610.

423