Base layers have taken off

THIS week we will be looking at how sports technology has evolved with the use of base layers which is so common in multiple sporting codes from athletics to football.

A base layer is the layer closest to your skin and should act as a constant “second skin” throughout your sports event/match/race. Base layers provide a layer of warmth, keeping your body temperature constant while absorbing and evaporating your sweat to keep you feeling warm and comfortable. This industry has been booming over the past few years with brands like Under Armour, Nike, adidas, Second Skin, First Accent and many more using their sports technology to enhance the performance of their athletes.

The reason behind this is simple: Runners and other sportsmen and women often suffer from chaffing and bleeding nipples caused by the garment rubbing against the skin, so the base layer technology helps with this irritation and also is much more aerodynamic.

For the full article, visit www.iol.co.za/sport

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