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

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 (20 kmCTT) performance of competitive cyclists and triathletes. Methods: In this randomized controlled crossover study, 15 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 20 kmCTT under ambient laboratory conditions (24.3 ± 0.7°C 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 20 kmCTT while wearing the SYN vs. CTN ensemble (e.g., by 0.98 km/h and 18.4 watts at the 20-km mark). Consequently, 20 kmCTT duration was significantly reduced by 15.7 ± 6.8 sec or 0.8 ± 0.3% during SYN vs. CTN trials (p < 0.05). Improved 20 kmCTT 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 (~1°C) 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 20 kmCTT performance of endurance-trained athletes by optimizing selected thermoregulatory and perceptual responses to exercise.

Keywords: 20-km cycling time; exercise; natural fabrics; synthetic fabrics; thermoregulation.

Figure 1

Clothing ensembles. (A) 100% cotton fabric (CTN) clothing ensemble (shirt and pants). (B) CTN macroscopic structure (face side). (C) CTN macroscopic structure (skin side). (D) nylon-polyester synthetic fabric (SYN) clothing enemble. (E) SYN macroscopic structure (face side) includes channeled polyester to help spread moisture across the surface, designed to promote quicker evaporation. (F) SYN macroscopic structure (skin side) includes a flat channel nylon with elements extruded in the yarn to promote cooling effect.

Figure 2

Effect of wearing athletic clothing made of synthetic fabrics (SYN, 60% polyester:40% nylon) and 100% cotton fabric (CTN) on 20-km cycling time trial (CTT) performance parameters in endurance-trained adults (n = 15). Values in panels (A–C) are means ± SE. Data points in panel (D) are individual participant values under SYN and CTN conditions. *p < 0.05 vs. CTN.

Figure 3

Effect of wearing athletic clothing made of synthetic fabrics (SYN, 60% polyester: 40% nylon) and 100% cotton fabric (CTN) on (A) esophageal temperature (Teso) and (B) whole body mean skin temperature ($\overline{T}sk$) during a 20-km cycling time trial in endurance-trained adults (n = 15). Values are means ± SE. *p < 0.05 vs. CTN.

Figure 4

Effect of wearing athletic clothing made of synthetic fabrics (SYN, 60% polyester: 40% nylon) and 100% cotton fabric (CTN) on (A) metabolic, (B) cardiac and (C) ventilation responses during a 20-km cycling time trial in endurance-trained adults (n = 15). Values are means ± SE. VO₂, rate of oxygen consumption.

Figure 5

Effect of wearing athletic clothing made of synthetic fabrics (SYN, 60% polyester: 40% nylon) and 100% cotton fabric (CTN) on perceptual responses during a 20-km cycling time trial in endurance-trained adults (n = 15). Values are means ± SE. RPE, (A) rating of perceived exertion; CR10, 0-10 category ratio. (B) Participants rated clothing comfort using a 7-point scale (+3, very comfortable; +2, comfortable; +1, slightly comfortable; 0, neutral; −1, slightly uncomfortable; −2, uncomfortable; −3, very uncomfortable); (C) thermal sensation using a 9-point scale (−4, very hot; −3, hot; −2, warm; −1, slightly warm; 0, neutral; +1, slightly cool; +2, cool; +3, cold; +4, very cold); (D) skin wettedness using a 7-point scale (−3, too wet; −2, wet; −1, slightly wet; 0, neutral; +1, slightly dry; +2, dry; +3, too dry). *p < 0.05 vs. CTN.