Search Results (11)

Digital technologies represented by AR (Augmented Reality), VR (Virtual Reality), and digital twins, along with the expansion of metaverse platforms and digital marketing concepts, have attracted the attention of numerous sports fashion product consumers and brands, particularly in the category of sports shoes. Therefore, in the context of digital technologies, understanding the factors that affect consumer experience and the preferences in the online purchasing process of sports shoes is very important. This study employs Latent Dirichlet Allocation topic analysis to analyze 44,110 online user posts and comments from social platforms, extracting thematic elements of consumer experience needs for purchasing sports shoes online. The information obtained is further encoded and designed into a questionnaire, which is then utilized alongside the Kano model to analyze the overall preferences of consumer experience needs. The results indicate that webpage design and basic product information are considered as Must-be attributes for user experience needs; providing information on after-sales service policies and product comment, products’ special feature information, and online size testing are recognized as Performance attributes. Additionally, high-tech interaction methods, visual presentation, personalized customization, virtual try-on, apparel matching recommendations, and dressing scenario recommendations are identified as Attractive attributes. The study reveals that in the context of new digital technology development, the online shopping experience for sports shoes is enhanced across four dimensions: platform experience augmentation, product experience augmentation, user demand augmentation, and interactive experience augmentation. These four dimensions collectively constitute the holistic experience design for the online retail platform. Therefore, this research provides case references and theoretical insights for researchers and developers in the fields of brand marketing, experience design, and product service innovation. Full article

Textiles are important components for the development of lightweight and flexible displays useful in smart materials. In particular, halochromic textiles are fibrous materials with a color-changing ability triggered by pH variations mainly based on pH-sensitive dye molecules. Recently, a novel class of 2-aminoimidazole azo dyes was developed with distinct substituent patterns. In this work, silk fabric was functionalized through exhaustion for the first time with one of these dyes (AzoIz.Pip). The halochromic properties of the dye were assessed in an aqueous solution and after silk functionalization. The solutions and the fabrics were thoroughly analyzed by ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectra, color strength (K/S), color difference (∆E), CIE L*a*b* coordinates, and the ultraviolet protection factor (UPF). The dyeing process was optimized, and the halochromic performance (and reversibility) was assessed in universal Britton–Robinson buffers (ranging from pH 3 to 12) and artificial body fluids (acid and alkaline perspiration, and wound exudate). AzoIz.Pip showed vibrant colors and attractive halochromic properties with a hypsochromic shift from blue (557 nm) to magenta (536 nm) in aqueous buffered solutions. Similarly, the functionalized silk showed a shift in wavelength of the maximum K/S value from 590 nm to 560 nm when pH increases. The silk fabric showed a high affinity to AzoIz.Pip, and promoted additional color stabilization of the dye, avoiding color loss as observed when the dye is in solution at alkaline pH after 24 h. The color reversibility was effective up to the fourth cycle and the fastness tests denoted suitable results, except washing fastness. The cytotoxicity of the silk fabric extracts was assessed, depicting reduced viability of HaCaT cells to <70% only when the dye concentration in the fabric is higher or equal to 64 μg·mL⁻¹. Nevertheless, lower concentrations were also very effective for the halochromic performance in silk. These materials can thus be a helpful tool for developing sensors in several sectors such as biomedicine, packaging, filtration, agriculture, protective apparel, sports, camouflage, architecture, and design. Full article

Waterproof breathable functional membranes have broad application prospects in the field of outdoors textiles. The fluorine-containing microporous membranes of the mainstream functional products easily cause harm to the environment, and thus, the fluorine-free environmental nanofibrous membranes are an important development direction for functional membranes. In this subject, the electrospun polyacrylonitrile nanofibrous membranes were first hydrophobically modified by amino functional modified polysiloxane (AMP), followed by in situ cross-linking modified with 4, 4’-methyl diphenylene diisocyanate (MDI). The fluorine-free modification by AMP altered the surface of the membranes from hydrophilic to hydrophobic, and greatly improved the waterproof properties with the hydrostatic pressure reaching to 87.6 kPa. In addition, the formation of bonding points and the in situ preparation of polyuria through the reaction between the isocyanate in MDI and the amino group in AMP, could improve the mechanical properties effectively. When using AMP with the concentration of 1 wt% and MDI with the concentration of 2 wt%, the relatively good comprehensive performance was obtained with good water resistance (93.8 kPa), modest vapor permeability (4.7 kg m⁻² d⁻¹) and air permeability (12.7 mm/s). Based on these testing data, the modified nanofibrous membranes had excellent waterproof and breathable properties, which has future potential in outdoor sports apparel. Full article

Sports bras are an essential apparel for active women, but may exert excessive pressure that negatively affects thermoregulation, thermal comfort and wear sensation. This study measures skin temperature changes during short durations of exercise on a treadmill with different bra pressures. The results based on 21 female subjects (age: 27.2 ± 4.5 years old) show that bras with more pressure at the underband or shoulder straps do not cause statistically significant skin temperature changes during exercise (p > 0.05). Nevertheless, compared to the optimal bra fit, significant differences in bra-breast skin temperature are found during running, cooling down and sitting when the bra pressure is increased (p < 0.05), particularly under bra cup (T1) in this study. The FLIR thermal images can visualize the skin temperature changes at abdomen throughout the four activity stages. Subjective sensations of bra thermal comfort, pressure and breast support are assessed. Despite the increased pressure on the shoulders and chest wall, perceptions towards thermal comfort remain unchanged. The perceived pressure comfort and support sensation amongst the 4 bra conditions are comparable. Interestingly, positive sensations of pressure comfort and breast support are perceived with a tight-fitting sports bra during treadmill exercise. High pressures induced by sports bras (>4 kPa) that habitually considered harmful to the human body may not lead to wear discomfort but enhance bra support sensation and a sense of security to the wearers. Full article

Recently, a variety of efforts have been taken to convey sustainable management strategies of sports apparel brands through single-person media. However, there is a lack of theoretical information on the path that leads these corporate marketing activities to brand reliability and purchase intention of consumers. Therefore, this study aims to analyze the path through which the sustainable management strategy established by a sports apparel brand affects the brand awareness and reliability, as well as the purchase intention of consumers when experiencing this strategy through single-person media. The results are summarized as follows: Firstly, the sustainable management strategies of a sports apparel brand carried out through single-person media had statistically significant positive impacts on the benevolence reliability perceived by single-person media viewers. Secondly, benevolence also had a statistically significant positive impact on the consumers’ purchase intention. It is expected that the results of this study will serve as an important resource for the methods of utilizing sustainable management strategies among sports apparel brands in the future. Full article

Technical clothing with light-responsive features for outdoor sports practiced in environments with low visibility is extremely important for athletes’ safety. Lack of signaling by users and visibility for drivers is one of accidents causes, namely run overs, which can leave serious consequences. The products available on the market lack efficiency and their design is not appealing which makes the development of these new materials a compelling need. Therefore, fluorescent and phosphorescent functional finishings with ability to provide illuminant signalization without compromising the design and/or color of clothing as well as comfort and ergonomics, were developed and applied in the textile structure by knife over roll coating technology. The greatest challenge is to integrate the high visibility materials without compromising the design of the garment and accomplish the European Standard of Protective clothing: Enhanced visibility equipment for medium risk situations and test methods and requirements—EN 17353 (that supersedes EN1150:1999 and allows more freedom in the design of the apparel) published in 2020. Phosphorescent materials were evaluated by luminance decay according to DIN 67510, before and after fastness to wash tests. Results obtained regarding high visibility functional finishings and the integration of the materials developed in the final sports collection will be presented. Full article

To assess the thermoregulatory capacities of backpack-designs, five male participants were equipped with a temperature and moisture measuring system. Relative humidity (rH) and temperature (T) were measured underneath the participants’ t-shirt—microclimate (MC)—and between shirt and backpack—interlayer climate (ILC). Participants completed a test protocol simulating a hiking exercise in three conditions in a randomized order: (W) without backpack and (B1-B2) with each of the backpacks (total weight: 5.4 kg). The test-protocol consisted of a 5-min rest, 10-min walk at 4 km/h without gradient, 15-min walk at 4 km/h with 8% incline, and a final 10-min rest. Results showed that the temperature and absolute humidity (aH) values generally decreased from the microclimate to the interlayer climate. Differences of up to ΔT = 1.27 °C and ΔaH = 2.55 g/m³ in the microclimate of the upper back area were observed for different backpack designs, indicating the influence of backpack design on thermoregulation. Full article

Nowadays, the number of people practising contact sports has increased. In many of them, using head protective equipment is not mandatory, even if the use of headbands could increase the level of safety regarding several types of traumatic brain injuries. Many commercial solutions are currently available, based on plastic-based foams providing a decent level of protection and comfort to the user. This work introduces the use of agglomerated cork as an eco-friendly alternative to synthetic foams but at least keeping safety levels. Cork is a natural cellular material that has been showing excellent crashworthiness properties. In this study, cork agglomerate density is carefully chosen to be incorporated into a protective headband. Results are compared against three other commercial headbands. For each one, the risk of brain injury was analysed for different injury thresholds and impact energies. The results clearly demonstrate that the cork-based apparel may provide comparable, and in some cases, better performances, outlasting the commercial ones. Full article

Current research of auxetic materials highlights its potential as personal protective equipment for sports apparel with enhanced properties such as conformability, superior energy absorption and reduced thickness. In contrast, commercially available protective materials have proven to be problematic in that they inhibit movement, breathability, wicking and that molded pads are prone to saddling. Foam components are embedded within personal protective equipment for sports apparel, where protective material is positioned at regions of the body frequently exposed to injury of the soft tissue through collision, falls or hard impact. At present, the impact resistance of auxetic open cell polyurethane foam and some additively manufactured auxetic structures have been established, and processes for manufacturing curved auxetic materials as well as molding methods have been developed. Despite this, auxetic materials have not yet been applied as personal protective equipment for sports apparel in current research. This paper argues that there is scope to investigate auxetic materials potential for enhanced wearer functionality through properties of synclastic curvature and biaxial expansion. Full article

This paper explores the performance of a novel capability assessment tool, developed to identify capability gaps and associated training and development requirements across the supply chain for environmentally-sustainable manufacturing. The tool was developed to assess 170 capabilities that have been clustered with respect to key areas of concern such as managing energy, water, material resources, carbon emissions and waste as well as environmental management practices for sustainability. Two independent expert teams used the tool to assess a sample group of five first and second tier sports apparel and footwear suppliers within the supply chain of a global sporting goods manufacturer in Asia. The paper addresses the reliability and robustness of the developed assessment method by formulating the expected links between the assessment results. The management practices of the participating suppliers were shown to be closely connected to their performance in managing their resources and emissions. The companies’ initiatives in implementing energy efficiency measures were found to be generally related to their performance in carbon emissions management. The suppliers were also asked to undertake a self-assessment by using a short questionnaire. The large gap between the comprehensive assessment and these in-house self-assessments revealed the suppliers’ misconceptions about their capabilities. Full article

The sporting goods sector is characterized by large volumes of production, high levels of consumption and short product life cycles resulting in high disposal rates and waste. Manufacturing of sports products is distributed globally through tier-based supply chains and complex logistics systems. Companies within such supply chains have different levels of capability in sustainable manufacturing, which impacts on the sustainability of the overall business. Reducing environmental impacts is of particular concern for companies at present, due to heightened requirements for the reduction of energy and water consumption, waste and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This article describes outcomes of a research project conducted in collaboration with a global sporting goods manufacturer that focused on the development of relevant capabilities across their supply chain for sustainable manufacturing of sports apparel and footwear. The article presents the developed sustainable manufacturing framework and capability assessment results obtained for selected companies within the supply chain of this global manufacturer in Asia. Full article