Olympians Suit Up In High-Tech Apparel To Shave Seconds

When seconds count, the right clothing matters.

For the Rio Olympics, Nike used 3-D printing technology to develop small silicone protrusions for redirecting air flow around the runner. Body scanners helped Adidas design suits to keep swimmers in ideal form. Swiss cycling specialist Assos turned to wind tunnels to craft custom, form-fitting suits for the U.S. cycling team.

Innovations in suits and shoes have sped up, thanks to advancements in how clothing is designed and tested - all as manufacturers get creative in working around rules enacted to prevent the apparel equivalent of doping.

“We make sure we stay inside those rules, but we will get to the very edge of them if we can,” said Adam Clement, senior creative director for team sports at Under Armour. “Our goal is to innovate in a way that ultimately makes the Olympic rules change. We’ll adjust, but we’ll feel proud of that accomplishment.”

WHY IT MATTERS

Clothing needs to be form-fitting to minimize air resistance, especially for speed events in cycling, swimming and track.

“Four seconds in four kilometers is (the difference between) first and eighth place,” said Jim Miller, vice president of athletics with USA Cycling.

But the wrong materials or designs could mean discomfort and unnecessary weight counteracting the gains from drag reduction.

Even when speed isn’t a factor, clothing promises to reduce irritations such as sweat and heat - crucial in a hot climate like Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where the Summer Olympics open on Friday.

PREVENTING PROBLEMS

Clothing alone won’t make up for years of training, good coaching and the right body mechanics, but the wrong kind can hurt.