APPAREL VIEWS / NOVEMBER 201042

1. Jetconcept bodysuit by adidas

Adidas was the first company to introduce a fullbodysuit in competitive swimming in 1998. But theadidas innovation team wasn't satisfied, and beganworking on a new concept after the Sydney Olympicsin 2000. Adidas, the leading sports brand, introduceda new swim suit called the adidas Jetconcept (Fig 1)on July 19, 2003 in Barcelona by adapting a technologyalready used by commercial aircraft.

The idea the adidas innovation team came up withwas unique: Instead of focusing on friction drag(caused by the surface of a swimmer) that onlyaccounts for 8 per cent of the drag a swimmer facesin the water they looked into the effects of form drag(caused by the shape of a swimmer) that account for56 per cent. Adapting a technology already used bycommercial aircrafts they created the adidasJetconcept.

This full bodysuit shows a revolutionary approach bynot only reducing the drag that the swimmer faces inthe water but also influencing the way the water flowsover the swimmer's body. Small "riblets" (Fig 3),integrated in the new suit, channel the water andthereby shift the turbulence that occurs on theswimmer's body and reduce the amount of water aswimmer carries on his back.

Using specially developed riblets, adidas has createda bodysuit that behaves much like a commercialaircraft in flight. Ribbed panels, modelled after thegrooves found on an airplane's fuselage and wings,extend from the underarm to the lower back and coverthe gluteus maximum, helping channel water fluidlyover back - reducing active drag and turbulences. Theresult is upto 3 per cent increase in swimmingperformance.

Fig 1. adidas Jetconcept

The adidas Jetconcept bodysuit transforms thehydrodynamic characteristics of the human anatomyfrom the moment of dive in, during the swim stroke,at the turn and during the underwater gliding phase.

1.1 How does the suit work?

The inspiration for the Jetconcept bodysuit came fromthe V-shaped grooves currently used on the wingsand fuselage of civil aircraft. The strong performanceimprovement in these aircrafts has been transferredto the idea of form drag and friction drag reductionduring a swimmer's gliding phase.

1.1.1 The science behind man in water

The Jetconcept suit is one that adidas has studied,researched, tested and devised over several yearstogether with Ian Thorpe and other top classswimmers. Overall, tested swimmers believe thatthe new suit raises legs higher and changes thebody position for better horizontal and flat propulsion.This "feeling" is scientifically documented and basedon the speed of water moving under the body, andless water on the swimmer's back. This phenomenonis best explained through the science ofhydrodynamics.

1.1.2 Hydro science and technology

For swimmers, the challenge for increasingperformance is based on the flow of the water overthe body; adding riblets changes this water flow. Toreduce an average of 70 kg of "dead water" that situpon the swimmers back, riblets are placed inscientifically proven positions.

With adidas Jetconcept riblets technology, drag isminimised, thereby increasing speed in the water.The adidas Jetconcept bodysuit provides athletes withthe most beneficial tools to perform.

1.2 The Jetconcept bodysuit:

Riblets

Ribbed panels extending from the underarm to thelower back and covering the gluteus maxims helpchannel water over the swimmers back to reduceactive drag, streamline movement and cutturbulence. The amount of water carried on theswimmer's back is reduced.

(Part - 2)

APPAREL VIEWS / NOVEMBER 2010 43

Lycra® power

Lycra® power materials increase speed andendurance by using compression. This compressionholds the body better in the water, stimulates skinreceptors for a more accurate, efficient swim strokeand allows for faster recovery times due to increasedblood circulation.

Second skin fit

The "Second skin fit" provides maximum flexibilityand freedom of movement by preventing water frompenetrating at the neck, wrists and ankles - reducingwater retention.

Flatlock seams

Strategically placed flatlock seams reduce water dragand add comfort.

2 Tracer A7-TYR sport

TYR Sport Inc. is Co-founded by an Olympic medallistand USA Swimming Co-Captain. TYR has beeninvolved in full body technical suit research anddevelopment for the past three Olympiads.

Beginning at the US Olympic Training Centre in 1999,full bodysuit tests concluded drag reduction wasachieved by 6 per cent at the International Centre forAquatic Research.

TYR was the first company to de-compose thecomponents of overall total drag in racing suits in2004. Significant improvements in research techniquewith the University at Buffalo, State University of NewYork, found an 18 per cent reduction in pressure drag,53 per cent in wave drag and a 10 per cent overallreduction in drag.

Zoned compression, improved durability anduncompromised flexibility results in

• 34 per cent drag reduction• +50 per cent memory return• 5 per cent water absorption

Fig 4. Riblets advantage

2.1 A7 Technology

The A7 is a hybrid design blending dual fabrics withone common purpose – speed and is most advancedNeoprene suit. The most advanced neoprene on themarket combined with woven micro fibre controlpanels produce optimal results for dropping time. Thesuit teams both functionality and precision and nevercompromises movement.

TYR has continued to improve upon its proprietary“zoned compression” model of performance suits.The A7 securely locks muscles in, providing precisecompression where muscle fatigue can form duringexertion, while also allowing range of movementthroughout the torso, hips and knees with the BioMarkIII neoprene. The suit caters to a swimmer’s range ofmovement while addressing muscle oxygenation, andenergy return.

2.2 Dual fabric

2.2.1 Outer surface

Limestone based Micro-Honeycomb structurecreates hydrogen bonding on the surface forming aball-bearing effect of water molecules. The slickhydrogen bonded surface allows for water moleculesto roll over the suit at a drag co-efficient of only 0.021,a decrease of over 34 per cent from the existingYamamoto SCS fabric used by others.

2.2.2 Middle layer

The flexible Titanium alloy layer provides optimalthermoregulation which aids in the reduction of lacticacid in the blood, optimising muscle performance.Titanium is recognised for its high strength-to-weightratio which allows the material to contour to thenatural shape of each athlete, significantly reducingstress and fatigue on the muscles.

2.2.3 Base layer

The single knit stretch polyester layer has a waterabsorption ratio of 0.5 per cent allowing the materialto stay as light as possible.

Fig 5. Tracer A7-TYR sport

Fig 6. Tracer A7-TYR sport

Fig 7. 3 layer fabric structure – 3mm thickness

2.2.4 Woven blend

At 60 per cent the weight of neoprene, but with 50per cent greater memory return, the fabric providesall the control muscles need but reduces the weightof the suit by 25 per cent. This hydrophobic wovenfabric is featured along the suit’s torso, legs, andback to allow necessary compression along the majormuscle groups throughout the evolution of aswimmer’s stroke. Super-lightweight, quick drying,and chlorine-resistant, it is intricately stitched formaximised muscle oxygenation return throughvibration control.

3. Speedo

Speedo is a leading manufacturer of swimwear andaccessories. The Speedo® LZR Racer™ is theworld’s fastest swimsuit is made from a uniquelightweight, water repellent and fast-drying fabric thathas been developed after three years of research

Fig 2. Ian Thorpe testing in the wind tunnel

Fig 3. Riblets on adidas Jetconcept

APPAREL VIEWS / NOVEMBER 201044

Fig 8. Speedo® LZR Racer™

(By Vasant R. Kothari, Assistant Professor,Department of Fashion Technology, NIFT,

Bangalore, Neha Goyal & MeghaSheoran, MFTech, NIFT, Bangalore)

Fig 9. LZR Racer

Fig 10. Built for speed

Fig 11. LZR Racer: Fitting guide

Fig 12. LZR Racer: Unique combination of fabric, designand construction

with NASA to reduce drag and help hold theswimmer’s body in a more streamlined shape.

Speedo says the suit has been independently testedas the "world's fastest,” a claim that translates to upto 5 per cent more efficiency for swimmers. The newsuit has 10 per cent less passive drag (meaning thedrag present when the swimmer is gliding throughthe water after a dive or turn) than Speedo’s 2004Fastskin FSII and 5 per cent less passive drag thanthe Fastskin FS-Pro®.

The specially engineered, highly flexible fabric calledLZR Pulse™ is ultrasonically welded so as to appearseamless. It incorporates low drag "LZR" panelsdesigned to create a corset-like effect that supportsthe swimmer in the optimum body position in thewater and helps them hold it for longer.

The LZR Racer ’s unique design also providesswimmers with up to 5 per cent more efficiency interms of their oxygen intake, enabling them to swimstronger for longer.

Features of Speedo LZR Racer

• It has panelled compression, makes the bodystreamlined

• Made up of only three panels!s Less panels>> Less seams>>Less drag

• Fabric has sharkskin like texture, hence excellentwater repellency and very less drag

• It got 10 per cent less drag than Fastskin FSII and 5per cent less drag than FS-Pro

• 4 per cent faster in starts and turns• 5 per cent better oxygen efficiency

3.1 LZR Racer: An inside view

3.1.1 Fabric

• The fabric used in LZR Racer is LZR Pulse, which isbasically made of Bond last yarns

• Very light, 104 GSM only• Constitutes 70 per cent Polyamide micro fibres, 30

per cent Elastane• “Shark skin” like texture makes it water repellent,

quick drying, and low drag• The fabric reduces muscle oscillation and skin

vibration through powerful compression

3.1.2 Knitting and other technology

• Warp knitting of bond last yarn• Made of three panels only welded together by

ultrasonic welders• A panelled structure enables localised compression

at specific muscles• The shark-skin appearance is enabled by the

knitting action

• Lapping movements Front guide bars 1 and 1 laps Back guide bar 3(4) and 1 lap in opposite direction

3.1.3 Threading

• Front and back guide bars are fully threaded• Each of the three panels which make up the suit is

made-to-measure• The swimmers body is 3D-scanned and is analyzed

by special software developed by Ansys Corp.• Finally the panels are made which fit the swimmer

precisely

3.1.4 Aerodynamics

• Panels are laminated in PU layers to create a HydroForm Compression System to compress the bodyin a streamlined shape

• Speedo tested the surface drag of more than 60types of fabric to see which offered the ultra fastspeed through lower skin friction drag

• The wind tunnels of NASA gave the accurate fluiddynamic study of the swimmer enabling precisereduction in drag possible

• Low profiles zips were used, which have beenbonded with fabric, further reducing drag

• Drag has been reduced by using special waterrepellent fabric

3.1.5 Seams

• Seams are generally flat to reduce scraping• Ultrasonically welded, bonded seams create a

perfectly smooth yet flexible streamlined surface• Seams direction matter in aerodynamics and hence

they run lengthwise to reduce drag