Football's Tighter, Lighter Uniforms (TechFit, ProCombat)

[LEWJ]

Hello everyone.

My freshman year is underway at Bowling Green State University.

For my writing class we were told our next essay would be about a trend or phenomenon.

I thought about sports, and figured this 'trend' (of sorts) would be a good topic for me, especially because many on this site may be able to help me with the brainstorming process.

So what I'll be considering is

"Why are football teams making the transition to tighter and lighter uniforms? What are the benefits?"

Now you don't have to help at all. I'm sure I can find some stuff on my own. But it sure would be nice!

I'm not cheating, just asking for you guys to post some links, add some of your own opinions, etc.

I won't be citing any of your opinions in my essay, of course, just using some of the posted articles as background info.

Some stuff that would be helpful:

• Opinion articles on the new Techfit, ProCombat uniforms
• Articles released explaining their effectiveness, features, benefits, etc.
• Anything else you may see as beneficial!

I'd appreciate any help! Thanks a lot!

LEWJ

-Also, I posted this in the 'Sports Logos' forum because it pertains to sports uniforms (obviously), and it would probably get more attention here, as opposed to the 'Sports in General' or 'Lounge' forums.

[CDixonDesign]

Nike's Launch of Pro Combat: http://www.nikebiz.com/media/pr/2009/01/07_ProCombatLaunch.html

Nike's Launch of Pro Combat (NBA) at the ASG: http://www.nikebiz.com/media/pr/2009/02/11_ProCombatAllStar.html

You can also search through Press Rooms for articles:

Adidas: http://www.press.adidas.com

Under Armour: http://investor.underarmour.com/releases.cfm

Schutt: http://www.schuttsports.com/aspx/news/news.aspx

Hope this helps!

[LEWJ]

Nike's Launch of Pro Combat: http://www.nikebiz.c...mbatLaunch.html

Nike's Launch of Pro Combat (NBA) at the ASG: http://www.nikebiz.c...batAllStar.html

You can also search through Press Rooms for articles:

Adidas: http://www.press.adidas.com

Under Armour: http://investor.unde...om/releases.cfm

Schutt: http://www.schuttspo.../news/news.aspx

Hope this helps!

Thanks a lot, that is exactly what I was looking for.

I always have an idea of what I want to find, but can never use the right search terms apparently. haha.

Thanks again, this will help tremendously!

[guest23]

Nike's Launch of Pro Combat: http://www.nikebiz.c...mbatLaunch.html

Nike's Launch of Pro Combat (NBA) at the ASG: http://www.nikebiz.c...batAllStar.html

You can also search through Press Rooms for articles:

Adidas: http://www.press.adidas.com

Under Armour: http://investor.unde...om/releases.cfm

Schutt: http://www.schuttspo.../news/news.aspx

Hope this helps!

Thanks a lot, that is exactly what I was looking for.

I always have an idea of what I want to find, but can never use the right search terms apparently. haha.

Thanks again, this will help tremendously!

probably too deep for your frosh year but you could do quite an interesting paper for econ/stats/business on the evolution of moisture wicking fabric in team sports and it's impact on actual statistical performance...i.e. uniform construction & innovation stayed nearly constant for about 2 decades (80's-90's maybe into the 70's) across nearly all team sports...the only real "innovation" over that time was the incorporation of spandex and what is often called "dazzle" nylon that gave a sheen to uniform fabric...for the most part for decades uniforms were just a variation of a polyester blend fabric like a double knit or a mesh with varying hole sizes...it really wasn't until nike got into the team uniform business in a big way with dri fit did the uniform arms race start...with that being said has the rapid investment in technology improved athletic performance to any degree?

[andrewharrington]

Nike's Launch of Pro Combat: http://www.nikebiz.c...mbatLaunch.html

Nike's Launch of Pro Combat (NBA) at the ASG: http://www.nikebiz.c...batAllStar.html

You can also search through Press Rooms for articles:

Adidas: http://www.press.adidas.com

Under Armour: http://investor.unde...om/releases.cfm

Schutt: http://www.schuttspo.../news/news.aspx

Hope this helps!

Thanks a lot, that is exactly what I was looking for.

I always have an idea of what I want to find, but can never use the right search terms apparently. haha.

Thanks again, this will help tremendously!

probably too deep for your frosh year but you could do quite an interesting paper for econ/stats/business on the evolution of moisture wicking fabric in team sports and it's impact on actual statistical performance...i.e. uniform construction & innovation stayed nearly constant for about 2 decades (80's-90's maybe into the 70's) across nearly all team sports...the only real "innovation" over that time was the incorporation of spandex and what is often called "dazzle" nylon that gave a sheen to uniform fabric...for the most part for decades uniforms were just a variation of a polyester blend fabric like a double knit or a mesh with varying hole sizes...it really wasn't until nike got into the team uniform business in a big way with dri fit did the uniform arms race start...with that being said has the rapid investment in technology improved athletic performance to any degree?

You know, it kind of seams like records are falling more often now than even 15 years ago when I was a kid, but I could be imagining it, and it could be due to training advancements as well as uniform tech.

[ONUV]

there was the controversy during the last summer olympics about the suits the swimmers were wearing.

[Camden Crazy]

Hello everyone.

My freshman year is underway at Bowling Green State University.

For my writing class we were told our next essay would be about a trend or phenomenon.

I thought about sports, and figured this 'trend' (of sorts) would be a good topic for me, especially because many on this site may be able to help me with the brainstorming process.

So what I'll be considering is

"Why are football teams making the transition to tighter and lighter uniforms? What are the benefits?"

Now you don't have to help at all. I'm sure I can find some stuff on my own. But it sure would be nice!

I'm not cheating, just asking for you guys to post some links, add some of your own opinions, etc.

I won't be citing any of your opinions in my essay, of course, just using some of the posted articles as background info.

Some stuff that would be helpful:

• Opinion articles on the new Techfit, ProCombat uniforms
• Articles released explaining their effectiveness, features, benefits, etc.
• Anything else you may see as beneficial!

I'd appreciate any help! Thanks a lot!

LEWJ

-Also, I posted this in the 'Sports Logos' forum because it pertains to sports uniforms (obviously), and it would probably get more attention here, as opposed to the 'Sports in General' or 'Lounge' forums.

As a former BGSU student (barely), don't be a moron like I was and leave before the first semester is over. Wasn't that bad of a place.

[guest23]

Nike's Launch of Pro Combat: http://www.nikebiz.c...mbatLaunch.html

Nike's Launch of Pro Combat (NBA) at the ASG: http://www.nikebiz.c...batAllStar.html

You can also search through Press Rooms for articles:

Adidas: http://www.press.adidas.com

Under Armour: http://investor.unde...om/releases.cfm

Schutt: http://www.schuttspo.../news/news.aspx

Hope this helps!

Thanks a lot, that is exactly what I was looking for.

I always have an idea of what I want to find, but can never use the right search terms apparently. haha.

Thanks again, this will help tremendously!

probably too deep for your frosh year but you could do quite an interesting paper for econ/stats/business on the evolution of moisture wicking fabric in team sports and it's impact on actual statistical performance...i.e. uniform construction & innovation stayed nearly constant for about 2 decades (80's-90's maybe into the 70's) across nearly all team sports...the only real "innovation" over that time was the incorporation of spandex and what is often called "dazzle" nylon that gave a sheen to uniform fabric...for the most part for decades uniforms were just a variation of a polyester blend fabric like a double knit or a mesh with varying hole sizes...it really wasn't until nike got into the team uniform business in a big way with dri fit did the uniform arms race start...with that being said has the rapid investment in technology improved athletic performance to any degree?

You know, it kind of seams like records are falling more often now than even 15 years ago when I was a kid, but I could be imagining it, and it could be due to training advancements as well as uniform tech.

it may seem like a lot of records are being broken but one really needs to look at the actual data to see if there is a statistical difference...digging through decades of statistics is time consuming...the other thing that you'd have to do is isolate for variables such as the prevalence of performance enhancing drugs which have an exponentially higher rate of performance improvement than fabric technology.

swimsuits are an interesting topic...the newest generation was such a paradigm shift that what may have been considered a piece of a uniform became equipment much like golf clubs and tennis raquets which have been facing stricter regulations.