figure skating Uniform

2019 Poster Presentation at International Textile and Apparel Association (ITAA)

As the two main problems for figure-skaters are skin conditions resulting from specific physiological effects of cold exposure and physical injury resulting from acute muscular-skeletal effects of the physically demanding postures, it is necessary to identify design criteria for the figure skating uniform and possible points of improvement. Thus, this study aims to understand the figure skaters' needs/demands related to their attire and range of motion and to identify criteria for new uniform designs based on ergonomic (both physical and psychological) concerns.

Appropriate functional properties in athletic uniforms are essential for ensuring wearers’ safety and comfort as well as promoting the best possible performance (Troynikov & Wardininigsih, 2011). In other words, considering the demands of different sporting events, each circumstance factors importantly in selecting an appropriate uniform. Figure skating is a unique blend of sports, art, and athleticism (Han et al., 2018). For this reason, it is popular around the world but is very dangerous with high injury rates (Saunders et al., 2013). Physically, figure skating is one of the sports with a high chance of physical injury as it requires a unique combination of, speed, agility, flexibility, creativity, and power. Also, a skating rink should be maintained at -3 to -4 °C for figure skaters, who train at least 4 to 6 hours per day, six times per week, statistically. Given these environmental conditions, many figure skaters are at high risk of dermatological injuries related to mechanical factors due to their exposure to cold temperatures and infectious agents (Tlougan et al., 2011).

Value

The proposed investigation into the users’ needs and understanding of the design criteria will be used not only for identifying figure-skaters’ demands for their uniforms but also for improving sportswear design. In addition, this study contributes to establishing a workable design standard for use as criteria for consumer-focused functional design in the apparel industry.

Methodology

Mix-method research conducted to obtain a better understanding of the research problem and to lead high inference quality. By considering the various circumstance of the target users, FEA (functional, expressive, and aesthetic) consumer needs model (Lamb & Kallal, 1992) was based to profile the design criteria. The FEA model helped to understand the user's demands and to identify the design criteria for the further designs of the figure skating uniform which have diverse themes.

FRAMEWOK: FEA consumer Needs model

To address as a core framework to investigate the user' needs to engaging to develop new prototype of Figure Skating Dress. Understanding what these users wanted within future products and what issues they had with products in the past.

Functional: satisfaction with physical comfort

Expressive: establishment of identity and self-esteem

Aesthetic: overall visual appearance of an object including design and texture

mix-method Research

Qualitative method: Interviews

Goal: understanding what these users wanted within future products and what issues they had with products in the past.

Participants/users: 20 skaters 2 coaches and 3 club skaters were recruited from the rink in Mt. Pleasant, MI. USA.

Qualitative Method: Thermal Camera

Goal: Investigating body temperature via color by comparing the above three pictures.

Test Result: the more color gets dark, the temperature becomes low. The color changes a lot in the neck, shoulder, and back.

DESIGN CRITERIA

Twelves factors were identified for the design criteria based on interviews and thermal camera test. Twelves factors were identified for the design criteria based on interviews and thermal camera test. Most design criteria showed no conflicts; several aligned well enough to cooperate with each criterion and to imply the creation of a synergy effect.

Research Poster Presentation

International Textile and Apparel Association (ITAA) Conference, 2019

References

Han, J. S., Geminiani, E. T., & Micheli, L. J. (2018). Epidemiology of figure skating injuries: a review of the literature. Sports health, 1941738118774769.
Lamb, J. M. & Kallal, M. J. (1992). A conceptual framework for apparel design. Clothing and Textiles Research journal, 10 (2), 42-47.doi: 10.1177/0887302X9201000207.
Saunders, N. W., Hanson, N. J., Koutakis, P., Chaudhari, A. M., & Devor, S. T. (2013). Figure skater level moderates balance training. Int J Sports Med, 34(4), 345-349.
Tlougan, B. E., Mancini, A. J., Mandell, J. A., Cohen, D. E., & Sanchez, M. R. (2011). Skin conditions in figure skaters, ice-hockey players and speed skaters. Sports medicine, 41(11), 967-984.
Troynikov, O. & Wardiningsih, W. (2011). Moisture management properties of wool/polyester and wool/bamboo knitted fabrics for the sportswear base layer. Textile Research journal, 81(6), 621-631.