Synthetic Garments Enhance Comfort, Thermoregulatory Response, and Athletic Performance Compared With Traditional Cotton Garments

Abstract

The ability of a fabric to transfer moisture is referred to as "wicking," and an increase in this property may have benefits in terms of comfort and thermoregulation. However, this phenomenon has not been studied in the context of sporting-type activities. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to assess whether comfort, thermal physiological parameters, and physical performance can be affected by the garment that is used. Ten men (age: 27.5 ± 4.4 years; height: 169.3 ± 14.2 cm; weight: 80.05 ± 10.87 kg) and 10 women (age: 26.8 ± 3.7 years; height: 166.6 ± 4.46 cm; weight: 64.63 ± 4.49 kg) volunteered to participate in the study. A within-group crossover counterbalanced design was used that included the Illinois Agility Run (IAR) and the Multistage Fitness Test (MSFT). The IAR was also performed while wearing protective padding. The protocol was completed on 2 occasions, once while wearing a cotton garment (C) and again while wearing a polyester (P) garment. Questionnaires referring to sensations of various components of comfort were completed after each test. The P garment provided significantly (p ≤ 0.05) greater comfort in men and women after both the IAR and the MSFT. The P garment led to significantly (p ≤ 0.05) improved performance during the IAR in women. The P garment also provided significantly (p ≤ 0.05) greater body mass loss during the protocol in women. This study demonstrated dramatic increases in the comfort of P garments, including while using protective equipment. This study also discovered the influence of P garments on anaerobic tasks and also revealed dramatic sex differences, where women seem to be much more sensitive to the benefits of P garments. Strength and conditioning coaches should be aware of the dramatic impact of garment choice, in aerobic and anaerobic tasks, particularly in women.

Practical Hydration Solutions for Sports

“…Thus, sports/activities with specific clothing requirements, such as American football [39,40], are at greater risk of body fluid loss compared to similar activities in which clothing is minimal. Synthetic wicking materials can increase sweat fluid losses compared to cotton garments [41], potentially decreasing the thermal load but increasing the risk of dehydration. When the effects of hot, humid environmental conditions are combined with clothing and equipment, individuals can achieve near maximal sweat rates which can create a significant fluid deficit rapidly [40].…”

Trapped sweat in basketball uniforms and the effect on sweat loss estimates

“…; Hooper et al. ). Accordingly, most sports uniforms are made of synthetic materials to promote evaporation of sweat (i.e., moisture‐wicking fabrics), and therefore the basketball uniform used in this study was comprised primarily of nylon and polyester.…”

“…Previous studies on trapped sweat have determined that clothing garments comprised of cotton retains significantly more sweat than synthetic fabric (Gavin et al 2001;Brazaitis et al 2010;Noonan and Stachenfeld 2012;de Sousa et al 2014;Hooper et al 2015). Accordingly, most sports uniforms are made of synthetic materials to promote evaporation of sweat (i.e., moisture-wicking fabrics), and therefore the basketball uniform used in this study was comprised primarily of nylon and polyester.…”

Systematic review of selecting comfortable sportswear: Predicting wearing comfort based on physiological responses and materials properties

“…Participants involved in the 24 studies with human trials were mainly male, and only six out of 24 studies involved female participants, 19,[21][22][23][24][25] with only one study 19 involving female only participants, and one study with no human participant. 20 Fifteen of the included studies recruited sporty, fit, and well-trained participants.…”