DEVELOPMENT OF ACTIVE

SPORTSWEAR FOR ATHLETES

byK.Sivasankaran,

Assistant Professor,Dept. of Costume Design & Fashion,

G.Venkataswamy Naidu College,Kovilpatti.

e.mail id: sivasfashion@gmail.com

DEVELOPMENT OF SPORTSWEAR

In recent years, development in active sportswear fabrics has been progressing to perform high functions and to achieve comfort. The use of innovative textile science and technology in the manufacturing of sports and leisurewear fabrics is continuously enhancing day by day to fulfill the requirements for athletics and leisure activities for their better performance in the sports.

PROPERTIES REQUIRED FOR SPORTSWEAR1. The protection/safety functions to protect

wearers from adverse weather (wind, rain and snow, etc).

2. The comfort function which gives wear comfort (thermo-physiological comfort, skin sensorial comfort, body movement comfort) to wearers,  

3. The exercise function to assist positively improvement of athletic records and attainment of one’s target,

4. Aesthetic appeal and high fashion ability

DESIRABLE ATTRIBUTES OF SPORTSWEAR

Optimum heat and moisture regulation.

Good air and water permeability

Prevention of a long term feeling of dampness

Low water absorption of the layer of clothing

facing the skin

Durable

Lightweight

DESIRABLE ATTRIBUTES OF SPORTSWEAR

Quick drying fabric to prevent catching cold.

Pleasant to skin, soft, non-abrasive and non-

chafing.

Soft and pleasant touch

Easy care

Smart and functional design

DEVELOPMENTS OF ACTIVE SPORTSWEAR From 1980 onwards, the development and innovation in

sportswear is enormous.

First simple microfibers and coated fabrics are

developed.

Nowadays, from very simple microfibers to much more

complex fabrics are effectively used in active sportswear.

The latest textile materials are much more function

specific for fulfilling specific needs in different sports

activities.

DEVELOPMENTS – SPECIAL FIBERS INNOVATIONHygra

It is a sheathcore type filament yarn composed of fibre made from water absorbing polymer and nylon.

Application in Sportswear like athletic wear, skiwear, golf wear etc

DEVELOPMENTS – SPECIAL FIBERS INNOVATION

Lumiace It is a collection of polyester

filaments having different fineness (0.5 - 2.0 denier per filament) and irregular cross sections.

Hygra - Lumiace combination in knitted fabric is very popular in top Japanese athletes.

DEVELOPMENTS – SPECIAL FIBERS INNOVATION

Killat N Killat N from Kanebo Ltd is a nylon hollow

filament. It is a bicomponent filament yarn with soluble

polyester copolymer as the core portion and nylon as the skin portion.

DEVELOPMENTS – SPECIAL FIBERS INNOVATION

Triactor Toyoba Co Ltd has developed Triactor, which

is a perspiration absorbing/quick drying polyester filament.

Polyester filaments are arranged in Y shape direction to improve moisture absorbing capacity.

DEVELOPMENTS – MULTI -LAYERING OF FIBERS

Blends in form of layering of fibres are capable of offering the best properties of each.

They are bicomponent materials composed of a non-absorbent hydrophobic material on the inside-worn next to the skin-and an absorbent hydrophilic material on the outside.

Usually, the hydrophobic material is polyester, and the absorbent hydrophilic material nylon.

DEVELOPMENTS – MULTI -LAYERING OF FIBERS Optimer Ltd. developed three

Entrant fibers made of multi-layering of Polyester / wool.

1. “Entrant Dermizax EV ” - lightweight fabric having a feather smooth texture with excellent waterproof/moisture permeability

DEVELOPMENTS – MULTI -LAYERING OF FIBERS2. “Entrant HB” – It is a new generation

fabric. It has high resistance to water

pressure and high durability against repeated washings (80 points or higher after 20 wash cycles).

Its main application is outdoor wear.

DEVELOPMENTS – MULTI -LAYERING OF FIBERS3. “Entrant DT” – It is a microporous

coated fabric offering a smoother and refreshing dry touch as well as attractive appearance through an innovative inner surface treatment technology.

CONCLUSION Modern peoples are paying more

attention to sports activity. During designing the sportswear fabrics, the aspects which are considered: protection/safety functions to protect wearers from adverse weather, comfort functions which gives wear comfort (thermal, sensorial and body movement comfort), exercise function to enhance performance of athlete, and aesthetic appeal and high fashion ability.