Compression garments in sportswear: case studies to explore the effect of body type, tactile sensation and seam position in garments

Compression garments are becoming a staple product amongst athletes and fitness enthusiasts in recent times mainly to support their muscle and boost their chance of performing better in their chosen activity. The market for compression garments especially for women’s apparel is on a rise compared to menswear. This paper discusses the significant factors that influence the design and development of compression base layer garments. One of the main areas that affect the comfort of these garments is tactile sensation whilst wearing the garment during an intense activity. In addition, compression garments aids in blood circulation and lowers the blood lactate level, and has different effect on type of body type, particularly the maximum oxygen uptake of the athlete when wearing compression tops compared to normal tops. It could be noted from previous observations that the pressure applied by compression garments at the seam position was less compared to other zones of the garment. This paper highlights a series of research conducted in the form of case study to understand the performance as well as the need to consider various factors during compression garment development specifically: • tactile sensation of base layer compression garments using a garment specific questionnaire from wearer trials (football); • the performance of compression garments on different body types – endomorph, mesomorph and ectomorph (base layer tops) and; • the effect of seamless compression tights for cyclists compared to garments with seams. Outcomes from these researches inform specific garment development and inferences are drawn in the context of making suitable recommendations to develop a knowledge-base in this area. It was concluded that these factors (tactile sensation, body shape, and seams) were vital during the design and development of compression garments for sportswear for a wider market

Impact resistant materials and Design Principles for Sportswear

Recently there had been a widespread use of high performance materials in sports wear with enhanced functionality. In sportswear, protection against impact is featured in products for skiwear, snowboarding, rugby, football, basketball, cycling, running shoes, and many others. There is a dearth of technical information about the range of materials being used and quantifiable measures of their effectiveness are rarely disseminated. An experimental set up is discussed with the scope of obtaining reliable and valid data relating to materials and commercial products. Two experimental methods have been used to gain understanding of material properties: an impact attenuation test (which captures peak forces over time) and Tekscan® pressure sensors (which capture the areal dispersal of impact forces). Alongside these dynamic tests are measures of thickness, flexural rigidity and bulk density. It was found that thicker materials (10 mm) were effective in protecting against 5J impacts. However bulky inserts resrticted free movement, which was a concern in designing garments. The outcomes from pressure sensors enabled to precisely measure and monitor profile of impact force applied on to the substrate. Based on this work, three parameters identified which would determine the characteristics of materials, the energy absorption properties, the ability of materials to extend the duration of an impact and the ability of materials to broaden the area affected by an impact. Using the above parameters the research is able to design smart protective garments which will have materials to prevent impact injury by absorbing the impact, delaying the point impact force and distributing it across a wider area

A study on the development of sustainable organic clothing for women’s wear using natural fibres with specific focus on product serviceability

Organic natural fibres have shown potential for women’s wear products. A recent research (Niinimaki, 2010) highlighted that performance; durability and longevity of products made from natural fibres were some of the concerns for eco-conscious consumers. Organic natural fibres have less impact on environment and ecosystem and garments made of such materials were expensive compared to synthetic fibres due to its eco credentials. However, consumers were aware that man-made fibres in comparison to natural fibres outperform in areas relating to care, maintenance and durability. According to Ticolau (2010) and Gam (2011) eco-conscious consumers evaluate the cost of any garment against its durability and performance and expect garments produced from natural fibres superior to man-made garments. Majumdar et al, (2010) explored the functional properties of natural fibres, where organic fibres were made into knitted fabrics and assessed both comfort and durability. The above study successfully produced fabrics with low heat loss properties and better comfort value but the durability of the fabric was not reported. As highlighted by Gam (2010), the fabric was an important factor in the purchase of eco-friendly clothing but consumers require product serviceability qualities, such as strong aesthetic appeal, performance and comfort; which many eco-friendly garments do not provide. Previous research also highlighted that natural fibre blends like cotton, bamboo and banana leaf fibres in garments. In this study, the authors report the significance of organic sustainable clothing for women’s wear particularly in the UK, in the context of the current trend, design and pattern. Based on the recent explorations on silk and other organic fibre blends with its collaborators, the authors highlight the potential commercial opportunities in the UK in the context of the women’s wear market promoting eco-friendly and sustainable fashionable clothing which meets various pre-requisites such as durability, care and maintenance and comfort

Smart wearable biosensor for non-invasive real time detection of sweat lactate using compression garments.

Over the past decade, there had been a surge in the use of wearable sensors to monitor health specially to determine the individual’s fitness level. It has been reported that lactic acid is a significant biomarker of anaerobic metabolism and higher concentrations of lactate in sweat can cause Ischemia and lead to hypoxia. Although, there had been an increase in the use of smart wearables such as heart rate, blood pressure, skin pH, and so forth, very little had been reported on the use of body fluids such as sweat. Therefore, a non-invasive monitoring of blood lactate becomes essential in determining individual’s health and fitness. In this research, the development, characterization and optimization of an electrochemical-based amperometric lactate biosensor screen-printed on to a knitted fabric is reported. The prototype screen-printed fabric lactate biosensor is composed of three electrodes that senses lactate concentration from the body sweat collected. A highly sensitive and stable lactate sensor based on PEDOT: PSS/PVA has been developed. The research will use wearer trials wearing prototype compression garments and measurements such as blood lactate, sweat rate, and garment performance in the subsequent stages of the research. The information obtained from this study will inform the design and development of compression garments that enhances blood flow, increases oxygen delivery to the muscles, and reduces the blood lactate concentration. The wearable device will also enable athletes to monitor their real time lactate concentration and pace their activity

Review—Smart Wearable Sensors for Health and Lifestyle Monitoring: Commercial and Emerging Solutions

The rapid growth of urbanisation has brought about various health concerns for citizens living in urban environments. Sedentary lifestyles, increased pollution levels, and high levels of stress have become prevalent issues affecting the overall well-being of urban populations. In recent years, the emergence of smart wearable devices has offered a promising avenue to address these health concerns and promote healthier lifestyles. This review evaluatse the effectiveness of smart wearables in mitigating health concerns and improving the lifestyles of urban citizens. The review involves 50 relevant peer-reviewed smart wearable studies and supporting literature from electronic databases PubMed, Ovid, Web of Science, and Scopus. Results indicate that smart wearables have the potential to positively impact the health of urban citizens by promoting physical activity, tracking vital signs, monitoring sleep patterns, and providing personalised feedback and recommendations to promote physical activity levels. Furthermore, these devices can help individuals manage stress levels, enhance self-awareness, and foster healthier behaviours. However, the review also identifies several challenges, including the accuracy and reliability of wearable data, user engagement and adherence, and ethical considerations regarding data privacy and security. </jats:p

Performance of Compression Garments for Cyclists

Base layer compression garments had been used by professional cyclists to enhance their performance. To date there is significant body of evidence relating to compression modalities in treating patients suffering from leg ulcers. However, research relating to sportswear compression garment is varied and inconclusive, a few research suggested benefit to athletes or aid recovery from exercise. This depends on a number of factors such as material (fabric/garment design, interaction), athlete (body shape, intensity of use, fitness, and perception) and type of sport or use (intensive or casual). The current research intends to establish a knowledge base by exploring the performance of garments using a combination of laboratory investigations and wearer perceptions. Four commercially available compression garments were evaluated for its performance. These include two professional brands (SKINS, RAPHA) and retail brands (Sub-dual and Sports Direct Muddyfox). The pressure profile of these garments was investigated on participants using Tekscan pressure sensors on various points (lower limb). Wearer trial investigated their perceptions for its fit, comfort, ease of wear, tactile sensation, and overall satisfaction. Various textile parameters evaluating garment durability, comfort, colourfastness and stability facilitated in determining its efficacy. In addition, wearer trials were conducted to measure physiological measurements. Overall, professional compression garments performed better compared to standard products. Suitable inferences drawn from these preliminary findings enabled to ascertain the performance of compression garments and aid in further development

The Role of Intestinal Microbiota in the Development and Severity of Chemotherapy-Induced Mucositis

Mucositis, also referred to as mucosal barrier injury, is one of the most debilitating side effects of radiotherapy and chemotherapy treatment. Clinically, mucositis is associated with pain, bacteremia, and malnutrition. Furthermore, mucositis is a frequent reason to postpone chemotherapy treatment, ultimately leading towards a higher mortality in cancer patients. According to the model introduced by Sonis, both inflammation and apoptosis of the mucosal barrier result in its discontinuity, thereby promoting bacterial translocation. According to this five-phase model, the intestinal microbiota plays no role in the pathophysiology of mucositis. However, research has implicated a prominent role for the commensal intestinal microbiota in the development of several inflammatory diseases like inflammatory bowel disease, pouchitis, and radiotherapy-induced diarrhea. Furthermore, chemotherapeutics have a detrimental effect on the intestinal microbial composition (strongly decreasing the numbers of anaerobic bacteria), coinciding in time with the development of chemotherapy-induced mucositis. We hypothesize that the commensal intestinal microbiota might play a pivotal role in chemotherapy-induced mucositis. In this review, we propose and discuss five pathways in the development of mucositis that are potentially influenced by the commensal intestinal microbiota: 1) the inflammatory process and oxidative stress, 2) intestinal permeability, 3) the composition of the mucus layer, 4) the resistance to harmful stimuli and epithelial repair mechanisms, and 5) the activation and release of immune effector molecules. Via these pathways, the commensal intestinal microbiota might influence all phases in the Sonis model of the pathogenesis of mucositis. Further research is needed to show the clinical relevance of restoring dysbiosis, thereby possibly decreasing the degree of intestinal mucositis

Inhibition of Specific NF-κB Activity Contributes to the Tumor Suppressor Function of 14-3-3σ in Breast Cancer

14-3-3σ is frequently lost in human breast cancers by genetic deletion or promoter methylation. We have now investigated the involvement of 14-3-3σ in the termination of NF-κB signal in mammary cells and its putative role in cancer relapse and metastasis. Our results show that 14-3-3σ regulates nuclear export of p65-NF-κB following chronic TNFα stimulation. Restoration of 14-3-3σ in breast cancer cells reduces migration capacity and metastatic abilities in vivo. By microarray analysis, we have identified a genetic signature that responds to TNFα in a 14-3-3σ-dependent manner and significantly associates with different breast and other types of cancer. By interrogating public databases, we have found that over-expression of this signature correlates with poor relapse-free survival in breast cancer patients. Finally, screening of 96 human breast tumors showed that NF-κB activation strictly correlates with the absence of 14-3-3σ and it is significantly associated with worse prognosis in the multivariate analysis. Our findings identify a genetic signature that is important for breast cancer prognosis and for future personalized treatments based on NF-κB targeting

Heritable Epigenetic Variation among Maize Inbreds

Epigenetic variation describes heritable differences that are not attributable to changes in DNA sequence. There is the potential for pure epigenetic variation that occurs in the absence of any genetic change or for more complex situations that involve both genetic and epigenetic differences. Methylation of cytosine residues provides one mechanism for the inheritance of epigenetic information. A genome-wide profiling of DNA methylation in two different genotypes of Zea mays (ssp. mays), an organism with a complex genome of interspersed genes and repetitive elements, allowed the identification and characterization of examples of natural epigenetic variation. The distribution of DNA methylation was profiled using immunoprecipitation of methylated DNA followed by hybridization to a high-density tiling microarray. The comparison of the DNA methylation levels in the two genotypes, B73 and Mo17, allowed for the identification of approximately 700 differentially methylated regions (DMRs). Several of these DMRs occur in genomic regions that are apparently identical by descent in B73 and Mo17 suggesting that they may be examples of pure epigenetic variation. The methylation levels of the DMRs were further studied in a panel of near-isogenic lines to evaluate the stable inheritance of the methylation levels and to assess the contribution of cis- and trans- acting information to natural epigenetic variation. The majority of DMRs that occur in genomic regions without genetic variation are controlled by cis-acting differences and exhibit relatively stable inheritance. This study provides evidence for naturally occurring epigenetic variation in maize, including examples of pure epigenetic variation that is not conditioned by genetic differences. The epigenetic differences are variable within maize populations and exhibit relatively stable trans-generational inheritance. The detected examples of epigenetic variation, including some without tightly linked genetic variation, may contribute to complex trait variation

The role of epigenetics in renal ageing

An ability to separate natural ageing processes from processes specific to morbidities is required to understand the heterogeneity of age-related organ dysfunction. Mechanistic insight into how epigenetic factors regulate ageing throughout the life course, linked to a decline in renal function with ageing, is already proving to be of value in the analyses of clinical and epidemiological cohorts. Noncoding RNAs provide epigenetic regulatory circuits within the kidney, which reciprocally interact with DNA methylation processes, histone modification and chromatin. These interactions have been demonstrated to reflect the biological age and function of renal allografts. Epigenetic factors control gene expression and activity in response to environmental perturbations. They also have roles in highly conserved signalling pathways that modulate ageing, including the mTOR and insulin/insulin-like growth factor signalling pathways, and regulation of sirtuin activity. Nutrition, the gut microbiota, inflammation and environmental factors, including psychosocial and lifestyle stresses, provide potential mechanistic links between the epigenetic landscape of ageing and renal dysfunction. Approaches to modify the renal epigenome via nutritional intervention, targeting the methylome or targeting chromatin seem eminently feasible, although caution is merited owing to the potential for intergenerational and transgenerational effects