Compression wear and shapewear: skin-tight apparel for enhanced performance and well-being

November 2014 | 33 pages | ID: CE4C30E3EA3EN
Textiles Intelligence Ltd

Abstracts

Compression wear and shapewear garments are skin-tight items of clothing which apply pressure to specific parts of the body. Through the application of compression to underlying veins, the speed of blood flow increases and the rate of oxygen delivery to muscles is increased. Compression wear has long been used in medical applications to prevent circulation problems. It has also become an integral part of the recovery process following surgery, as it can aid skin recovery and minimise bruising. But over the past two decades, compression wear has become firmly established in active wear and sportswear following claims that compression garments can improve athletic performance, reduce the risk of injury and accelerate recovery during and after exercise. At the same time, shapewear has become highly popular, as an increasing number of people show an interest in garments which can contour their body shape using compression. This report analyses the growing market for compression wear and shapewear, and describes the principles and benefits of compression technology. It also describes the key features of compression garments and shapewear, alongside their functions in apparel applications. In addition, it provides an in depth review of key suppliers of compression garments and their products, as well as an outlook for the future.

Contents

SUMMARY

INTRODUCTION

MARKET FOR COMPRESSION WEAR AND SHAPEWEAR

Athletic compression wear
Medical compression wear
Shapewear

BASIC PRINCIPLES AND BENEFITS OF COMPRESSION

TECHNOLOGY IN APPAREL

Preventing and treating medical conditions
Healing after an injury or surgical operation
Relieving physical discomfort
Improving athletic performance
Enhanced warm-up and overall circulation
Heightened proprioception
Reduced muscle vibration
Reduction in drag
Lower build-up of lactic acid
Improved recovery
Reduced fatigue
Reduced damage
Lower risk of repetitive strain injuries
Psychological benefits

KEY FEATURES OF COMPRESSION GARMENTS

Fibre blends
Yarn diameter
Fabric construction
Seams
Fit
Pattern design
Sizing
Waistbands and drawstrings

MEDICAL COMPRESSION GARMENTS

Compression stockings

ATHLETIC COMPRESSION WEAR

Compression garments used for athletic wear
Types
Garments for specific applications
Effects of compression garments on athletic performance
Research into the effects of compression garments on athletic performance

SHAPEWEAR

KEY SUPPLIERS OF COMPRESSION GARMENTS AND THEIR PRODUCTS

110% PLAY HARDER: ATHLETIC COMPRESSION WEAR

2XU: ATHLETIC COMPRESSION WEAR

Adidas: Techfit Powerweb
ASICS: Muscle Support
Body Science: warp knitted compression sportswear
Canterbury: Mercury TCR
Compressport: athletic compression wear
Lululemon Athletica: Wunder under Pant
MACOM Enterprises: Crystal Smooth cycling shorts
New Balance: HKNB Perfect Pant
Nike: Nike Pro
Pelham and Strutt: posture control T-shirt
Saucony: AMP PRO2
Sigvaris: compression wear for medical, well-being and sports applications
Skins: A200
Spanx: shapewear garments
Under Armour: AllSeasonGear, ColdGear and HeatGear
Wacoal Sports Science Corporation: CW-X Support Web
X-technology Swiss Research & Development: X-BIONIC Effektor suits
Zensah: seamless compression sportswear
Zoot Sports: CRx Tights

OUTLOOK

APPENDIX: HOW MUSCLE CELLS FUNCTION USING AEROBIC

AND ANAEROBIC RESPIRATION

Aerobic respiration
Anaerobic respiration

List Of Tables

LIST OF TABLES

Table 1: Indications for use of medical compression garments
Table 2: Product claims made by some key suppliers of athletic compression wear
Table 3: Findings of research on the effects of compression garments on physiological factors and athletic performance
Table 4: Examples of Nike Pro compression garments

List Of Figures

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1: Estimated market shares in the athletic compression wear industry in the USA, 2012
Figure 2: Sales of compression wear at speciality running stores in the USA, 2008-10
Figure 3: Average retail selling prices of compression garments at speciality running stores in the USA, 2010
Figure 4: The market for therapeutic compression stockings in Western Europe, 2008-17
Figure 5: Compression stockings
Figure 6: Short sleeve compression shirt
Figure 7: Compression shorts
Figure 8: Compression leg sleeve
Figure 9: Compression bodysuit