How Does Activewear Improve Your Performance? The Science Behind Sportswear

Activewear has become a popular fashion trend in recent years. It used to be specialized clothing for athletes, but now it is worn by people of all ages and lifestyles. What was once only worn in gyms and for sports has now become a popular choice for everyday wear. Activewear includes a wide range of clothes, such as leggings, sports bras, hoodies, sneakers, and more, that are made to be comfortable, functional, and stylish.

High-tech sports accessories like Polar sports watches for men and women are products of innovation and science to help people keep track of their athletic progress and overall health. But did you know that other sports apparel like shirts, socks, and shorts involve a lot of science as well?

Also known as athleticwear, this clothing from an active wear manufacturer helps improve the overall performance of the player while ensuring comfort and safety.

Read on if you want to know more about the science behind sportswear.

Sportswear: A Brief History

There wasn’t any apparent need for sportswear until people started playing sports just for playing’s sake during the late 19th century. In fact, during the 1896 Olympics, even upper-class athletes only had basic clothing on – a pair of shorts and basic T-shirts. The only update came in the form of a sweater; which athletes only wore when the weather condition required it.

During this time, clothes that were made specifically for sports and other physical activities started to appear, with a focus on functionality and performance. But the rise of fitness culture and the popularity of aerobics and workout videos in the 1980s and 1990s gave activewear a big boost as a fashion trend.

In the 1980s, companies like Nike, Adidas, and Reebok started making athletic clothes that were both stylish and beneficial. This was the start of the athleisure trend, in which athletic clothes became more fashionable and were worn outside the gym or sports field. In the 1990s, the “athletic chic” style became even more popular, with celebrities and pop culture icons wearing activewear as a fashion statement.

Since then, athleticwear has evolved so much to accommodate the ever-growing need for better clothing while partaking in physical activities with various skill and intensity levels. Like all other aspects of sports – like nutrition or psychology – sports clothing has changed so much with the help of new technologies and better material. 

Unlike what people had in the early 20th century, sportswear today utilizes new technologies and materials, making them far more functional. Plus, they have the advantage of being:

  • More aquadynamic or aerodynamic
  • Lightweight
  • More breathable
  • Designed with safety in mind, particularly for high-risk sports like climbing, equestrianism, and motorsports

The Role of Fabric

One of the main reasons why activewear is so popular is that it focuses on comfort and functionality. Activewear is usually made of high-performance fabrics that wick away sweat, let air in, and stretch, making it easier to move while doing physical activities. Because of this level of comfort, activewear is not only good for sports but also suitable for everyday wear. It gives people clothes that are both stylish and comfortable.

Moisture-wicking fabrics are made to pull sweat away from the skin and away from the body; this keeps the body dry and comfortable. This is especially important during intense workouts or other activities that cause sweat and moisture to build up, as it helps prevent discomfort and chafing. On the other hand, breathable fabrics let air flow freely, which helps control body temperature and keeps people from getting too hot. This is especially important during high-intensity activities where body heat can quickly build up, causing discomfort and lowering performance.

Fabric plays a crucial role in fitness apparel design. However, there is no hard and fast rule on what material is the best because it depends greatly on the type of clothing in question and personal preferences. To make deciding easier, it pays to know the different qualities and features of some of the most popular sportswear materials:

women in activewear image

Bamboo

Bamboo fiber is one of the best natural fabric options for activewear. It is made from bamboo stalk cellulose and comes in two forms: rayon and bamboo linen. Bamboo fabric is naturally breathable, so air can move through it and help keep your body temperature even. This keeps the body cool and comfortable even when working out tirelessly or doing other activities that make you sweat a lot. In addition, its fabric is soft and smooth, so it feels good against the skin. It is also naturally antibacterial and hypoallergenic, which can help people with sensitive skin or allergies.

Hence, activewear made from bamboo has become more popular among people who care about the environment and want comfortable, moisture-wicking, and sustainable clothes for their active lifestyles. Bamboo fabric is used in activewear because the fitness and dynamic lifestyle industries are becoming more aware of and interested in sustainable and eco-friendly clothing.

For sports and workout clothing, it is recommended that you choose knit or jersey bamboo fabrics. Aside from being environment-friendly, this type of fabric has the following features:

  • Soft
  • Antimicrobial
  • Hygienic
  • Durable
  • Wickable

Merino Wool

Merino wool is another popular material for activewear because of its unique qualities. Merino sheep make Merino wool, which is known for being fine and soft, making it great for clothing, even activewear. Still on natural fabrics, merino wool is excellent for clothing used when there are changes in weather and temperature. It is wickable, cool, and breathable in hot weather and warm when the climate is cold.

One of the best things about merino wool in activewear is how well it regulates temperature. Merino wool is naturally insulating, so it can help keep the body at the right temperature by storing and releasing heat as needed. This makes it perfect for activewear because it can keep the body warm when it’s cold and cool when it’s hot. Also, this helps keep the body at the right temperature when doing physical activities.

Unlike traditional wools, merino wool is soft and does not have that scratchy texture common in conventional wools. It can also be mixed with synthetic materials like spandex, and will hold its shape well.

Cotton

woman in active wear exercising image

Cotton is probably the most popular choice for clothing because people are naturally drawn to the comfort it provides. It has been a natural fiber used to make clothes, including activewear, for hundreds of years. Cotton is known for being soft, comfortable, and breathable, which makes it a popular choice for activewear in some situations.

One of the best things about cotton for activewear is that it lets your skin breathe, as it allows airflow, which helps keep the body cool and stops it from getting too hot when doing physical activities. Moreover, this is a natural fiber that can be grown. It is biodegradable, which means it can break down on its own, which is better for the environment.

However, it is not ideal for activewear because it attracts more water than other fabrics, absorbing moisture as much as 25 times its weight. This means that cotton can be heavy with sweat when worn during a workout. It can also lead to blisters and chafing during warm months and can leave the wearer very cold during the rainy season.

Synthetic Fabrics

Athletic clothing can also be made with synthetic fabrics like polyester, which is sometimes dubbed as “technical fabric.” Modern workout clothing made from polyester is both breathable and waterproof. It can wick sweat away while preventing rain from reaching the skin during outdoor workout routines.

Due to their unique qualities and ways to improve performance, synthetic fabrics are becoming increasingly popular for making activewear. Synthetic materials are designed to have certain qualities, which makes them suitable for activewear.

Also, synthetic fabrics often dry quickly, which means they dry faster than natural fibers like cotton. This is especially helpful during intense workouts or activities that make you sweat a lot because it keeps the fabric from getting too heavy or waterlogged, which can be uncomfortable.

Other synthetic materials include jerseys, mesh fabrics, rib knits, and many more.

Sports-Specific Gear

Aside from the material, athleticwear also has unique features that are specifically tailored for certain sports activities. This is also why your daily ensemble like fashion tracksuit bottoms, cotton T-shirts, and hoodies are not meant to be worn at the gym or when participating in sports activities.

See below a roundup of the science behind sportswear made for certain activities:

Cycling

men road cycling image

You’ve probably seen professional cyclists on the road wearing skin-tight clothes. Sometimes, this can be unflattering, which leads you to wonder: Are they really necessary?

If you’re doing a lot of cycling, the answer is a resounding “yes.”

These pieces, especially those bike shorts, are all about function. They provide unparalleled comfort and function for the athlete.

This is because they reduce wind resistance and allow a full range of motion for your legs, which is vital for this specific athletic activity. Just think about it: Cycling for several hours in loose clothing can leave you with rashes from repetitive movements.

Cycling tops also offer similar advantages, allowing a full range of movement to avoid accidents. Plus, they are lightweight and can wick sweat better than regular shirts.

Triathlon

Triathlon gear can be extra tricky since the sport involves more than one activity. Remember that triathlons combine running, cycling, and swimming – three athletic activities that have varying gear requirements.

Most triathletes use a triathlon suit as it serves as an all-in-one gear. It can be worn throughout the entire event – from the moment you arrive at the site to when you’re cooling down after the race.

Men’s triathlon wetsuits provide maximum comfort and are designed with flexibility in mind for swimming.

They also allow speedy transition between sections of the race, which counts towards the athlete’s overall timing since the suits are easy to remove after swimming.

Plus, they are made from materials that dry very quickly, which supports chafe-less cycling.

Contact Sports (Soccer or Rugby)

Did you know that jerseys for rugby and soccer are made very tight – much like a second skin – not to highlight the player’s muscles, but to support their performance and safety during the game?

Remember that both soccer and rugby are high-intensity contact sports that involve a lot of running, dodging, and bumping into one another. Optimum function and use of the leg and core muscles are crucial in preventing player collapse.

New generation jerseys were scientifically designed to help the wearer breathe deeper while promoting muscle stimulation on the player’s back. They also stimulate the abdominal muscles, shoulder blades, and lower back to ensure stability and balance.

Science for Safety and Performance

Although many people buy activewear based on their appearance, the science behind the design is what matters most. Choose your workout clothing wisely by taking the information in this article into account.