Influence of Sportswear Fabric Properties on the Health and Performance of Athletes.

The main goal of this work was to study the Influence of sportswear fabric properties on the physiological responses and performance of athletes. The influence of three different types of sportswear fabrics on the physiological response and performance of volunteers in sports conditions was investigated. The fabrics and garments tested were made of 100% cotton, a 65/35 polyester/cotton blend and 100% polyester fibres. Seven volunteer were selected to wear the sportswear during the physical exercise assigned and their physiological responses were tested. The results of the study show a statistically significant effect on the athletes' physiological responses and performance parameters measured for the different types of sportswear tested. The sample with 100% polyester produced the best physiological responses and performance from the athletes. This effect can be related to better moisture management, which reflects the amount of relative water vapour permeability (68%) and lower thermal conductivity. This will enhance the body's temperature regulation leading to increase athletes' cardiorespiratory fitness and performance. The results also show the high correlation between the sportswear fabrics properties and athletes' physiological responses and performance, except the relationship between the endtidal partial pressure of oxygen (PETO2) and fabric thickness (h), air permeability (AP) and thermal resistance (r), which are not highly correlated. The other correlation values vary between (±0.62 and (±1). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]