(Part - 2)
1. Jetconcept bodysuit by adidas The adidas Jetconcept bodysuit transforms the
Adidas was the first company to introduce a full
bodysuit in competitive swimming in 1998. But the
adidas innovation team wasn't satisfied, and began
working on a new concept after the Sydney Olympics
in 2000. Adidas, the leading sports brand, introduced
a new swim suit called the adidas Jetconcept (Fig 1)
on July 19, 2003 in Barcelona by adapting a technology
already used by commercial aircraft.
The idea the adidas innovation team came up with
was unique: Instead of focusing on friction drag
(caused by the surface of a swimmer) that only
accounts for 8 per cent of the drag a swimmer faces
in the water they looked into the effects of form drag
(caused by the shape of a swimmer) that account for
56 per cent. Adapting a technology already used by
commercial aircrafts they created the adidas
Jetconcept.
This full bodysuit shows a revolutionary approach by
not only reducing the drag that the swimmer faces in
the water but also influencing the way the water flows
over the swimmer's body. Small "riblets" (Fig 3),
integrated in the new suit, channel the water and
thereby shift the turbulence that occurs on the
swimmer's body and reduce the amount of water a
swimmer carries on his back.
Using specially developed riblets, adidas has created
a bodysuit that behaves much like a commercial
aircraft in flight. Ribbed panels, modelled after the
grooves found on an airplane's fuselage and wings,
extend from the underarm to the lower back and cover
the gluteus maximum, helping channel water fluidly
over back - reducing active drag and turbulences. The
result is upto 3 per cent increase in swimming
performance.
42 APPAREL VIEWS / NOVEMBER 2010
hydrodynamic characteristics of the human anatomy
from the moment of dive in, during the swim stroke,
at the turn and during the underwater gliding phase.
1.1 How does the suit work?
The inspiration for the Jetconcept bodysuit came from
the V-shaped grooves currently used on the wings
and fuselage of civil aircraft. The strong performance
improvement in these aircrafts has been transferred
to the idea of form drag and friction drag reduction
during a swimmer's gliding phase.
1.1.1 The science behind man in water
The Jetconcept suit is one that adidas has studied,
researched, tested and devised over several years
together with Ian Thorpe and other top class
swimmers. Overall, tested swimmers believe that
the new suit raises legs higher and changes the
body position for better horizontal and flat propulsion.
This "feeling" is scientifically documented and based
on the speed of water moving under the body, and
less water on the swimmer's back. This phenomenon
is best explained through the science of
hydrodynamics.
1.1.2 Hydro science and technology
For swimmers, the challenge for increasing Fig 1. adidas Jetconcept
performance is based on the flow of the water over
the body; adding riblets changes this water flow. To 1.2 The Jetconcept bodysuit:
reduce an average of 70 kg of "dead water" that sit Riblets
upon the swimmers back, riblets are placed in
Ribbed panels extending from the underarm to the
scientifically proven positions.
lower back and covering the gluteus maxims help
With adidas Jetconcept riblets technology, drag is channel water over the swimmers back to reduce
minimised, thereby increasing speed in the water. active drag, streamline movement and cut
The adidas Jetconcept bodysuit provides athletes with turbulence. The amount of water carried on the
the most beneficial tools to perform. swimmer's back is reduced.
Fig 2. Ian Thorpe testing in the wind tunnel
Fig 3. Riblets on adidas Jetconcept
Lycra® power
Lycra® power materials increase speed and
endurance by using compression. This compression
holds the body better in the water, stimulates skin
receptors for a more accurate, efficient swim stroke
and allows for faster recovery times due to increased
blood circulation.
Second skin fit
The "Second skin fit" provides maximum flexibility
and freedom of movement by preventing water from
penetrating at the neck, wrists and ankles - reducing
water retention.
Flatlock seams
Strategically placed flatlock seams reduce water drag
and add comfort.
2 Tracer A7-TYR sport
TYR Sport Inc. is Co-founded by an Olympic medallist
and USA Swimming Co-Captain. TYR has been
involved in full body technical suit research and
development for the past three Olympiads.
Beginning at the US Olympic Training Centre in 1999,
full bodysuit tests concluded drag reduction was
achieved by 6 per cent at the International Centre for
Aquatic Research.
TYR was the first company to de-compose the
components of overall total drag in racing suits in
2004. Significant improvements in research technique
with the University at Buffalo, State University of New
York, found an 18 per cent reduction in pressure drag,
53 per cent in wave drag and a 10 per cent overall
reduction in drag.
Zoned compression, improved durability and
uncompromised flexibility results in
• 34 per cent drag reduction
• +50 per cent memory return
• 5 per cent water absorption
Fig 4. Riblets advantage
2.1 A7 Technology
The A7 is a hybrid design blending dual fabrics with
one common purpose – speed and is most advanced
Neoprene suit. The most advanced neoprene on the
market combined with woven micro fibre control
panels produce optimal results for dropping time. The
suit teams both functionality and precision and never
compromises movement.
TYR has continued to improve upon its proprietary
“zoned compression” model of performance suits.
The A7 securely locks muscles in, providing precise
compression where muscle fatigue can form during
exertion, while also allowing range of movement
throughout the torso, hips and knees with the BioMark
III neoprene. The suit caters to a swimmer’s range of
movement while addressing muscle oxygenation, and
energy return.
2.2 Dual fabric
2.2.1 Outer surface
Limestone based Micro-Honeycomb structure
creates hydrogen bonding on the surface forming a
ball-bearing effect of water molecules. The slick
hydrogen bonded surface allows for water molecules
Fig 5. Tracer A7-TYR sport
to roll over the suit at a drag co-efficient of only 0.021,
a decrease of over 34 per cent from the existing
Yamamoto SCS fabric used by others.
2.2.2 Middle layer
The flexible Titanium alloy layer provides optimal
thermoregulation which aids in the reduction of lactic
acid in the blood, optimising muscle performance.
Titanium is recognised for its high strength-to-weight
ratio which allows the material to contour to the
natural shape of each athlete, significantly reducing Fig 7. 3 layer fabric structure – 3mm thickness
stress and fatigue on the muscles.
2.2.4 Woven blend
2.2.3 Base layer At 60 per cent the weight of neoprene, but with 50
The single knit stretch polyester layer has a water per cent greater memory return, the fabric provides
absorption ratio of 0.5 per cent allowing the material all the control muscles need but reduces the weight
to stay as light as possible. of the suit by 25 per cent. This hydrophobic woven
fabric is featured along the suit’s torso, legs, and
back to allow necessary compression along the major
muscle groups throughout the evolution of a
swimmer’s stroke. Super-lightweight, quick drying,
and chlorine-resistant, it is intricately stitched for
maximised muscle oxygenation return through
vibration control.
3. Speedo
Speedo is a leading manufacturer of swimwear and
accessories. The Speedo® LZR Racer™ is the
world’s fastest swimsuit is made from a unique
lightweight, water repellent and fast-drying fabric that
Fig 6. Tracer A7-TYR sport has been developed after three years of research
APPAREL VIEWS / NOVEMBER 2010 43
 Fig 8. Speedo® LZR Racer™ Fig 9. LZR Racer Fig 11. LZR Racer: Fitting guide

with NASA to reduce drag and help hold the

swimmer’s body in a more streamlined shape.
Speedo says the suit has been independently tested
as the "world's fastest,” a claim that translates to up
to 5 per cent more efficiency for swimmers. The new
suit has 10 per cent less passive drag (meaning the
drag present when the swimmer is gliding through
the water after a dive or turn) than Speedo’s 2004
Fastskin FSII and 5 per cent less passive drag than
the Fastskin FS-Pro®.
The specially engineered, highly flexible fabric called
LZR Pulse™ is ultrasonically welded so as to appear
seamless. It incorporates low drag "LZR" panels
designed to create a corset-like effect that supports
the swimmer in the optimum body position in the
water and helps them hold it for longer.
The LZR Racer’s unique design also provides
swimmers with up to 5 per cent more efficiency in
terms of their oxygen intake, enabling them to swim
stronger for longer.
Features of Speedo LZR Racer
• It has panelled compression, makes the body
streamlined Fig 10. Built for speed
• Made up of only three panels!
Less panels>> Less seams>>Less drag • Lapping movement
• Fabric has sharkskin like texture, hence excellent Front guide bars 1 and 1 lap
water repellency and very less drag Back guide bar 3(4) and 1 lap in opposite direction
• It got 10 per cent less drag than Fastskin FSII and 5 3.1.3 Threading
per cent less drag than FS-Pro • Front and back guide bars are fully threaded
• 4 per cent faster in starts and turns • Each of the three panels which make up the suit is
• 5 per cent better oxygen efficiency made-to-measure
3.1 LZR Racer: An inside view • The swimmers body is 3D-scanned and is analyzed
by special software developed by Ansys Corp.
3.1.1 Fabric
• Finally the panels are made which fit the swimmer
• The fabric used in LZR Racer is LZR Pulse, which is
precisely
basically made of Bond last yarns
• Very light, 104 GSM only 3.1.4 Aerodynamics
Fig 12. LZR Racer: Unique combination of fabric, design
• Constitutes 70 per cent Polyamide micro fibres, 30 • Panels are laminated in PU layers to create a Hydro and construction
per cent Elastane Form Compression System to compress the body
• “Shark skin” like texture makes it water repellent, in a streamlined shape 3.1.5 Seams
quick drying, and low drag • Speedo tested the surface drag of more than 60 • Seams are generally flat to reduce scraping
• The fabric reduces muscle oscillation and skin types of fabric to see which offered the ultra fast • Ultrasonically welded, bonded seams create a
vibration through powerful compression speed through lower skin friction drag perfectly smooth yet flexible streamlined surface
• The wind tunnels of NASA gave the accurate fluid • Seams direction matter in aerodynamics and hence
3.1.2 Knitting and other technology
dynamic study of the swimmer enabling precise they run lengthwise to reduce drag
• Warp knitting of bond last yarn
reduction in drag possible
• Made of three panels only welded together by
• Low profiles zips were used, which have been
ultrasonic welders
bonded with fabric, further reducing drag (By Vasant R. Kothari, Assistant Professor,
• A panelled structure enables localised compression
• Drag has been reduced by using special water Department of Fashion Technology, NIFT,
at specific muscles Bangalore, Neha Goyal & Megha
repellent fabric
• The shark-skin appearance is enabled by the Sheoran, MFTech, NIFT, Bangalore)
knitting action

44 APPAREL VIEWS / NOVEMBER 2010