SPORTING TEXTILES

1. FCS-TS-10. Students will discuss the continuing use of technology in advancingtextile products using innovative skills and tests.a. Discuss the role textiles play in sports equipment.b. Identify how textiles are being used in the medical field.c. Discuss the careers that rely on wearing textiles and how they vary from uniformsto body armor.

2. SPORTING TEXTILES • Textiles play a major role in sports, not only do they provide a “billboard” for marketing, but they can effect the outcome of an athlete’s performance • Textiles in the sporting world are continuing to be developed, researched, and revamped. • Manmade fibers have opened the door to new innovations in sporting textiles, such as providing ways for these textiles to wick away moisture and keep athletes cool.

3. CHARACTERISITCS OF SPORTING TEXTILES • There are many reasons that athletes wear certain textiles. Many are personal reasons and some are marketing reasons, but the majority are for the characteristics the textiles provide. • Protection • Cool/Dry/Warm Properties • Movement • Sustainability • When each of these are met, the athlete then reaches a comfort level appropriate for their sport

4. Characteristic: PROTECTION • Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) • Example: • Chemical UV absorbers in fabric • Golfers, runners, cyclists, tennis players and other outdoor athletes benefit from this property. • UPF can also be seen as a fade resistant property • Brands • Omni-Shade by Columbia • Underarmor

5. Characteristic: PROTECTION, (continued) • Anti-Rash/Anti Abrasion/Anti-Microbial Properties • Example: • Cyclists need shorts that will protect them against falls on asphalt, as well as clothing rubbing the skin • Bicycle seat covers are also developed to reduce pressure, increase blood flow, and prevent the growth of bacteria

6. Characteristic: PROTECTION, (continued) • Protection from the Elements • Many athletes perform in natural weather elements such as rain and wind. Many brands have been developed to repel these elements and allow the athlete to maximum performance. • Brands • Gore-Tex • Omni-Tech by Columbia • WindWall • Wind Pro • Wind Block • TNF Apex Fabrics

7. Characteristic: COOL/DRY/HEAT • Unfortunately sweat is something that all athletes do and it can cause issues with performance • New textiles have been developed to help “wick away” moisture and allow skin to stay cool and dry, or warm and dry • Most of these fabrics are polyester • Cotton can allow your skin to breathe and keep you cool, but it also retains moisture, which adds weight to the fabric.

8. Characteristic: COOL/DRY/HEAT(continued) • Brands with “wicking” properties • Nike Dri-Fit • Under Armor Heat Gear • Champion Double Dry • Adidas Climalite and Climacool • Omni-Dry by Columbia • Omni-Freeze by Columbia

9. Characteristic: COOL/DRY/HEAT(continued) • Not all athletes need to stay cool. Many sports require athletes to perform in cold temperatures, therefore they need to stay warm • Textiles have been invented to keep body heat in, as well as absorb naturally occurring sweat. • Brands with heat properties • Windstopper by Gore-Tex • Underarmor • Polartec • Omni-Heat by Columbia

10. Characteristic: MOVEMENT • Movement allows for athletes to push themselves to the limit, letting the body and the body’s muscles function at their greatest ability • Spandex (trade name Lycra) was a huge innovation in textile fit and movement • Brands with movement friendly products • Adidas Formotion • Textiles that allow water and wind resistance • Example • Speedo

11. Characteristic: SUSTAINABILITY • While the textiles and clothing designed for athletes give them great protection and comfort, it can come at a high price. • These products are often expensive due to the immense amount of research and effort that goes into the design of the textile. Also, since many of these textiles are man-made fibers, the cost lies in the production and chemicals needed. • Because of the cost factor, athletes need their garments to sustain natural and man-made elements for long periods of time. • The garments must also endure frequent laundering

12. When it all comes together… • Once an athlete has all the needed characteristics in a garment, they have then reached the COMFORT level. • For instance, a rubber rain jacket is practical in wet conditions, but would be considered uncomfortable by an athlete. The rubber cannot breathe, which causes excess sweating and possibly a rash. • Comfort is the ultimate goal of the textile/garment manufacturer.

13. MEDICAL and BIOMEDICAL TEXTILES • Medical textiles refer to textiles used as dressing or coverings • Examples would include Band-Aids, gauze, and compression stockings • Biomedical textiles refer to textiles used in conjunction with body cells and tissues. Basically, you must have compatibility. • Examples include implants and artificial organs

14. MEDICAL TEXTILES • Visit Encompass Group at http://www.encompassgroup.net/encompassmed/index.asp • Headquarters located in McDonough, GA • One of the largest distributers of medical textiles

15. BIOMEDICAL TEXTILES • See how cells are attached to a fiber…view this short video clip • http://www.csiro.au/files/files/phfy.mov

16. TEXTILES and CAREERS • In some careers, textiles are a matter or life or death. • Astronauts: Space suits resistant to elements found in space • Firefighters: flame/heat retardant fabric • Police Officers: Bulletproof materials • Welders: Flame/heat retardant fabric • Electricians: Clothing and gloves that resist electric currents • Soldiers: Clothing to keep warm or cold, resist the elements, and for protection

17. ASTRONAUTS • Astronauts need to be protected from the elements in space. • Because of the pressure changes in space, a spacesuit “pressurizes the skin” so it can retain its shape. A spacesuit also provides oxygen and resistance to temperatures • Nylon, elastic, spandex, neoprene, and polyester are just a few of the textiles found in spacesuits • This video clip shows the latest technology in space suits, called the Bio Suit. • http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/nasaeclips/search.html?terms=space%20suit&category=0010 (scan down to find The Making of the Bio Suit)

18. FIREFIGHTERS • Firefighter suits are composed of three layers: Outer Layer, Thermal Layer, and Moisture Layer • The outer layer, made from Kevlar protects against abrasion, tearing, heat and fire • The thermal layer, made from a Nomex and Kevlar blend, protects against extreme heat • The moisture layer, made also from Nomex, protects against water • Nomex is a flame retardant fabric that absorbs heat energy, swells and thickens, and then creates a heat barrier. • Kevlar is tightly woven to resist cuts/tears, flames and melting.

19. POLICE OFFICERS • Police officers wear uniforms that are durable and have move ability. • This career relies on the textile protection of a bulletproof vest. • A bulletproof vest can be made from several textiles such as, Kevlar, Spectra, Allied Signal, Twaron and Dyneema to name a few. • All of these fibers have strength properties that resist a bullet’s penetration, as well as absorb the energy and distribute it throughout the vest.

20. WELDERS and ELECTRICIANS • Welders and electricians both need specialized gloves that prevent against burns, and in an electricians case, shock. • These gloves are made from Kevlar, leather and rubber. All of these textiles prevent burns and shock, while still allowing for movement.

21. SOLDIERS • Since the military consists of so many jobs and specializations, their gear needs many levels of protection. • The levels range from bulletproof vests to fire and heat protection to UV ray protection. Some gear needs a combination of all three. • Protection against the elements may also be a concern. Soldiers are exposed to sun, wind, rain, extreme cold and extreme heat. • Soldiers also need textiles that will not melt to their skin when in contact with fire.