AUTHOR=Ferguson Jared , Hadid Amir , Epstein Yoram , Jensen Dennis 

TITLE=Effect of Clothing Fabric on 20-km Cycling Performance in Endurance Athletes

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Sports and Active Living

VOLUME=Volume 3 - 2021

YEAR=2022

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/sports-and-active-living/articles/10.3389/fspor.2021.735923

DOI=10.3389/fspor.2021.735923

ISSN=2624-9367

ABSTRACT=Purpose: Examine the effect of synthetic fabrics (SYN, 60% polyester: 40% nylon) vs. 100% cotton fabric (CTN) on the 20-km cycling time trial (20kmCTT) performance of competitive cyclists and triathletes. Methods: In this randomized controlled crossover study, fifteen adults (5 women) aged 29.6  2.7 years (mean  SE) with a peak rate of O2 consumption of 60.0  2.0 ml/kg/min completed a 20kmCTT under ambient laboratory conditions (24.3±0.7oC and 17±7% relative humidity) with a simulated wind of ~3 m/s while wearing SYN or CTN clothing ensembles. Both ensembles were of snowflake mesh bi-layer construction and consisted of a loose-fitting long-sleeved shirt with full-length trousers. Results: Participants maintained a significantly (p<0.05) higher cycling speed and power output over the last 6-km of the 20kmCTT while wearing the SYN vs. CTN ensemble (e.g., by 0.98 km/h and 18.4 watts at the 20-km mark). Consequently, 20kmCTT duration was significantly reduced by 15.7  6.8 sec or 0.8  0.3% during SYN vs. CTN trials (p<0.05). Improved 20kmCTT performance with SYN vs. CTN clothing could not be explained by concurrent differences in esophageal temperature, sweat rate, ratings of perceived exertion and/or cardiometabolic responses to exercise. However, it was accompanied by significantly lower mean skin temperatures (~1oC) and more favorable ratings of perceived clothing comfort and thermal sensation during exercise. Conclusion: Under the experimental conditions of the current study, athletic clothing made of synthetic fabrics significantly improved the 20kmCTT performance of endurance-trained athletes by optimizing selected thermoregulatory and perceptual responses to exercise.