16.3 – Technological Innovation and Ergogenic Aids

Question 1

Fabrics, Materials and Clothing

Answer 1

• Clothing Design:
  
  • Special fabrics reduce drag in sports like cycling, swimming, and skating, improving performance.
  • Small reductions in drag can make a big difference.
• Cycling:
  
  • Clothing designs that reduce wind resistance can improve cycling speed.
  • Speedo used athlete scans to create swimsuits that reduce friction.
• Sharkskin-Inspired Suits:
  
  • Textured suits, like those used by Michael Phelps in the 2008 Olympics, reduce drag.
• New Materials:
  
  • Sugru: A silicone used for comfortable grips on sports gear.
  • Thermal Fabric: Golf shirts that adjust temperature to keep players comfortable.
  • Heated Clothing: “Hot pants” for cyclists help keep muscles warm between warm-ups and events, boosting performance.
  • Smart Clothing: Clothes with sensors monitor heart rate, temperature, and hydration, giving real-time feedback to help athletes improve and avoid injury.

Question 2

Impact Sensor used in Helmets

Answer 2

• Purpose:
  
  • Measure head impacts in real-time to detect concussions and brain injuries in sports like football, hockey, and lacrosse.
• Placement:
  
  • Sensors can be inside or outside helmets, or in mouthguards, chin straps, and other gear.
• Function:
  
  • Sends wireless alerts to a smartphone when a significant head impact occurs, prompting immediate medical evaluation.
• Support:
  
  • Used and supported by teams, parents, and medical staff for monitoring head impacts.
• Research:
  
  • The University of Western Ontario tracks impact data to help reduce concussions over time.

Question 3

Ergogenic improvements based on Nanotechnology

Answer 3

• Safety:
  
  • “Reactive materials” in protective wear flex with movement but harden upon impact, improving safety without restricting motion (e.g., gear for skiers, bikers, dancers, and equestrians).
• Strength and Power:
  
  • Nanocomposite coatings (rubber and nanoclay) enhance tennis ball bounce and racquet control.
  • Nanoparticles in fishing rods make them stronger and more flexible.
• Weight Reduction:
  
  • Carbon nanotubes make baseball bats lighter and stronger (16x stronger than steel).
  • Nanotube resin strengthens archery arrows, making them light yet durable.
• Speed:
  
  • Carbon nanotubes in golf clubs improve energy transfer, making balls travel faster.
• Rigidity:
  
  • Carbon nanotubes reinforce bicycle parts (handlebars, cranks) for increased stiffness while keeping them lightweight.
• Abrasion Resistance:
  
  • Nanocomposite ski wax increases abrasion resistance and speed on snow.
  • Nanotube coatings on kayaks make them more resistant to scratches and cracks.
• Water Repellency:
  
  • Nanocomposite coatings make skis and kayaks more water-resistant.