Advertisement
 |
Polyurethane and Sports: An Unrivaled Advantage
The LZR Racer swimsuit, as worn by multiple gold-medal Olympians, helps swimmers beat their times in a variety of ways. First of all, the swimsuit resembles a full body suit—it covers both the torso and the legs, leaving only the feet, arms, and neck exposed to water. It is made from nylon-elastane material which compresses the wearer’s body into a more hydrodynamic shape, allowing for smoother movement. The suit is also seamless and light, manufactured using ultrasonic welding—the lack of seams means 6% less drag, because even something as slight as a seam can change the way water courses over the body. Speedo notes that the LZR suit compresses the body three times as much as their earlier model, while weighing half as much. In addition to the light and tight material, the suit also features an “internal core stabilizer” which keeps a swimmer’s form consistent throughout the race. Because a tired swimmer’s hips often sink lower, creating drag, the core stabilizer helps keep the body in an optimal swimming position, resulting in increased speed and less energy expended to propel the body forward. The component of the suit that has fueled the most debate is the addition polyurethane panels in strategic locations. The panels reduce drag 24 percent more than the older Speedo model, leading to significant reduction in a swimmer’s overall time. In a sport where literally every hundredth of a second counts, polyurethane provides an unrivaled advantage. Several swimwear companies attempted to have the suit reviewed by FINA (Federation Internationale de Natation) the association responsible for decisions regarding swimwear in professional swimming, but FINA supported Speedo by affirming that polyurethane panels are indeed permissible in racing suits. Other rival companies, such as Mizuno and Adidas, shortly thereafter released their own versions of racing suits which, like Speedo, owed much of their success to polyurethane.
Adidas, much like Speedo, launched their new polyurethane-contingent bodysuit in late August. This body suit is not made for swimmers rather it’s designed for athletes competing on land. Manufactured by Huntsman Polyurethanes, the bodysuit employs thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) technology to harness energy and reuse it. Much as the LZR swimsuit compresses the body into an optimal shape for swimming, the Powerweb suit uses a two layer TPU film to compress key areas—bands around above the knee, for example, will link the power of the muscle back up through the leg to the abdominal muscle, the body’s central powerhouse. The material is highly elastic, wear resistant, and has low tensile strength—the ene  rgy released by an athlete’s movements is stored and reused by the material, resulting in better joint power, feedback, accurate movement increased blood circulation, reduced muscle vibration, and improved muscle recovery.So far, the results have been promising. Athletes who have used the suit in sprinting experiences a 1.1 percent speed increase, whereas those who used it for jumping experienced a 4 percent increase. An athlete’s overall endurance has been shown to increase 0.8 percent. Because the actual suit is easy to manufacture (heat-pressing is used, as in the LZR swimsuit) and the TPU material can be cut into any shape, the suit can easily be altered to fit numerous sports.
Other Plastics & Rubber Guides
|
|
After Michael Phelps’ performance at the 2008 Summer Olympics, his hard work and talent are indisputable. However, even the best athletes depend on technological advancements in sporting equipment to make sure that nothing stands between them and the highest level of performance. Whether competing on land or in water, what an athlete wears can be essential in cutting down racing times, protecting the body, and maximizing energy. The material and fit are equally influential components. Polyurethane has played a key role in the development of several new sporting suits, including Speedo’s hotly debated LZR Racer swimsuit and Adidas AG’s TechFit Powerweb bodysuit.
© 2012 Thomas Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
See Terms and Conditions or
Privacy Statement.
Website Last Modified May 27, 2012.
