Compression cycling garment design for performance enhancement and muscle fatigue recovery

Abstract

This research aimed to 1) design a compression cycling aerosuit (CCA) by incorporating kinesiology concepts for performance enhancement and fast fatigue recovery, and 2) evaluate the effect of the newly designed CCA on cycling performance. The study was divided broadly into three phases including: 1) the design and production of the 1st CCA and its performance test, 2) skin deformation rate collection with three-dimensional (3D) motion capture technology, and 3) the design and production of the 2nd CCA and its performance test. A theoretical design framework fulfilling the functional CCA design requirements and kinesiology concepts was proposed whilst the general compression cycling garment (CCG) design requirements were collected via literature review, market research, and a focus group interview. Then, the 1st CCA was designed with seamless knitting technology that manipulated the stitch type and density according to the kinesiology concepts. The performance of the 1st CCA was measured according to three physiological responses (i.e., heart rate (HR), oxygen uptake (VO2), and blood lactate concentration) and was compared to the performance of a commercial CCG (control sample). In addition, the pressure values of the rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, biceps femoris, and semimembranosus on the front and back thigh were measured during cycling. The results showed that the 1st CCA lowered HR and blood lactate concentration levels, which means that the 1st CCA improved venous return whilst reducing exercise-induced muscle injury and delayed onset muscle soreness. Eight amateur male cyclists participated in phase II. A total of sixty-eight reflective markers were attached to the skin of each participant in two postures, a static standing posture and a bending posture during dynamic cycling, which were then captured separately by a 3D motion capture system. The skin deformation rates were calculated from the 3D motion capture data and applied to the 2nd CCA design and pattern development. The accurate skin deformation data was used to make the 2nd CCA aerodynamic without compromising clothing comfort by reducing the loose fabric/winkles in the bending posture. The performance of the 2nd CCA was tested in two randomized eight-minute trials with four different loads (0 kg, 0.5 kg, 1 kg, and 1.5 kg) and four different cadences (60, 80, 100, and 120 rpm) over a two-day period. Twelve amateur male cyclists were invited to participate in this study. HR and VO2 were monitored, whilst pressure value changes of in the rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, vastus medialis, biceps femoris, semimembranosus, teres major, and thoracolumbar fascia were measured and analyzed. A performance fabric with a cooling effect and sew-free garment production technologies including bonding, lamination, and ultrasonic welding were used to produce both the experimental CCA and the control CCG. The results showed that the VO2 level of the 2nd CCA was significantly lower than that of the CCG at the 0 kg/60 rpm, 0 kg/120 rpm, 0.5 kg/100 rpm, 0.5 kg/120 rpm, 1.5 kg/60 rpm cycling combinations (p <0.05), which meant that it reduced energy consumption. In conclusion, this CCA design fulfilled the functional CCA design requirements and kinesiology concepts and this evaluation protocol could be used in various applications.