U.S. patent application number 15/506712 was filed with the patent office on 2017-09-07 for a garment.
The applicant listed for this patent is Everton Alexander MCKENZIE. Invention is credited to Everton Alexander MCKENZIE.
Application Number | 20170252601 15/506712 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51727059 |
Filed Date | 2017-09-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170252601 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
MCKENZIE; Everton
Alexander |
September 7, 2017 |
A GARMENT
Abstract
A garment for increasing resistance to a wearer's body, the
garment having a first portion with a fabric of a first resistance
characteristic operable to stretch to conform with movement of the
wearer's body and at least one second portion of a fabric having a
second resistance characteristic, where the second portion conforms
to an associated specific body area of the wearer's body such as a
muscle or muscle group. Motion of the wearer's body causes the at
least one second portion to either apply greater or lesser
resistance to the associated specific body area of the wearer's
body than the at least first portion applies to the wearer's body
to enable targeting of resistance to specific body areas of
muscle.
Inventors: |
MCKENZIE; Everton Alexander;
(Glasgow, GB) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
MCKENZIE; Everton Alexander |
Glasgow |
|
GB |
|
|
Family ID: |
51727059 |
Appl. No.: |
15/506712 |
Filed: |
August 26, 2015 |
PCT Filed: |
August 26, 2015 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/GB2015/052464 |
371 Date: |
February 24, 2017 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41D 31/00 20130101;
A41D 7/00 20130101; A41D 13/02 20130101; A63B 21/4007 20151001;
A63B 21/055 20130101; A63B 21/4011 20151001; A63B 23/0233 20130101;
A41D 31/18 20190201; A63B 21/4005 20151001; A41D 13/0015 20130101;
A63B 21/04 20130101; A63B 23/0405 20130101; A41D 1/08 20130101;
A63B 21/4025 20151001; A63B 23/0205 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A63B 21/00 20060101
A63B021/00; A41D 13/02 20060101 A41D013/02; A41D 1/08 20060101
A41D001/08; A63B 23/04 20060101 A63B023/04; A41D 31/00 20060101
A41D031/00; A63B 21/04 20060101 A63B021/04; A63B 21/055 20060101
A63B021/055; A63B 23/02 20060101 A63B023/02; A41D 13/00 20060101
A41D013/00; A41D 7/00 20060101 A41D007/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 26, 2014 |
GB |
1415098.1 |
Claims
1. A garment for increasing resistance to a wearer's body, the
garment comprising: a body portion which is operable to conform to
at least an area of a wearer's body; the body portion being formed
of a first portion of a fabric having a first resistance
characteristic operable to stretch to conform with movement of the
wearer's body and at least one second portion of a fabric having a
second resistance characteristic, the at least one second portion
conforming to an associated specific body area of the wearer's body
wherein the first portion and the at least one second portion are
secured together such that motion of the wearer's body causes the
at least one second portion to apply greater resistance to the
associated specific body area of the wearer's body than the at
least first portion applies to the wearer's body.
2. The garment according to claim 1, wherein the specific body area
is a specific muscle.
3. The garment according to claim 1, wherein the specific body area
is a specific muscle group.
4. The garment according to claim 1, wherein the greater resistance
applied by the at least one second portion is operable to reduce
ease of movement of the specific body area.
5. The garment according to claim 1, wherein the greater resistance
applied by the at least one second portion is operable to
facilitate movement of the specific body area.
6. The garment according to claim 1 wherein the first portion and
at least one second portion may be sewn together.
7. The garment according to claim 1, wherein the first portion is
provided with at least one void into which a second portion insert
is removably attached.
8. The garment according to claim 1, wherein the first portion is
provided with a securing mechanism to removably attach a second
portion to the first portion.
9. The garment according to claim 7, wherein the second portion is
provided with a corresponding securing mechanism to co-operate with
the securing mechanism of the first portion.
10. The garment according to claim 1, wherein the first portion and
at least one second portion are woven together to provide an
integrated fabric garment.
11. The garment according to claim 1, wherein the first portion is
formed of a first fabric and the at least one second portion is
formed of a second fabric.
12. The garment according to claim 1, wherein the first portion is
formed of a fabric having the resistive characteristic of four way
stretch.
13. The garment according to claim 1, wherein the second portion is
formed of a fabric having the resistive characteristic of two way
stretch.
14. The garment according to claim 1, wherein the second portion is
formed of a fabric having the resistive characteristic of being
non-stretch.
15. The garment according to claim 1, wherein the first portion is
formed of a fabric cut on one angle and the second portion is
formed of the same fabric cut on a second angle.
16. The garment according to claim 1, wherein the garment is
selected from a group comprising: a full body suit, a cropped body
suit, a sleeveless body suit, leggings, shorts, a top, or a
swimsuit.
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to a garment for increasing
resistance to a wearers muscle and in particular, though not
exclusively, to a garment for increasing resistance to specific
muscle areas of a wearer.
[0002] The benefits of resistance training have long been
understood for those looking to keep fit or participate in sport.
As sports science has developed in recent decades, a clearer
understanding of the role of resistance training on muscle
development has occurred. Due to muscle contraction monitoring
equipment which exists, it has become understood that the tension
which develops in a muscle or muscle group as it contracts and
produces movement by moving through its full range of motion is not
constant. Due to mechanical and physiological factors, muscles only
work at maximum force, or full tension, during a particular part of
the motion range specific to the muscle being used and the movement
being undertaken.
[0003] As a result, muscle strengthening exercises have been
developed which go some way towards making a muscle or muscle group
work at their maximum tension throughout its full range of
contraction. This effect of increasing the duration of maximum
muscle tension during exercise is commonly known as overload.
[0004] Originally, overload, or resistance training, was
implemented in a non-specific way, such as attaching a belt around
an athlete's waist to which a weight to be dragged would be
attached, thus increasing the general resistance against which the
athlete was working. Following on from that, bindings, such as
rubber bands, were used to increase direct resistance by being held
by the athlete or secured around a limb or limbs. However, whilst
such bindings can increase general tension against which a limb has
to operate, muscle matched overload is not achieved.
[0005] As training methods have developed and advanced, training
regimes are observed which require increased mobility of the
athlete. For example, in football training, it could be desirable
that resistance training is incorporated within the skills training
which involves attempting to run whilst controlling the football,
then passing the football and sprinting to receive it back. These
newly developed skills have dictated the need for more direct
acting and user friendly equipment which helps effect the benefits
of resistance training and in particular muscle overload, but which
can easily be worn whilst carrying out various sports or
training.
[0006] Various energy expenditure garments exist, which, in some
way help provide resistance training benefits to wearers whilst
they are moving or exercising. For example in U.S. Pat. No.
5,109,546 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,857,947 exercise garments which
conform to the body and have inserts of resistive material are
provided. In each of these cases, the resistive body suit inserts
are applied across the users body to generally increase the
resistance experienced by the wearer when they move. However,
whilst these garments help increase the resistance experienced by
the user generally, in effect, they perform the resistive function
of the dragged weight in a more streamlined and user friendly way,
they do not ensure that the user experiences overload and thus
maximises the effect of their movement in terms of building muscle
strength.
[0007] It is therefore an object of the present invention to
provide a garment for increasing resistance to a wearer's body
which obviates or mitigates the drawbacks of the abovementioned
prior art.
[0008] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
garment for increasing resistance to a specific area of a wearer's
body.
[0009] According to a first aspect of the invention there is
provided a garment for increasing resistance to a wearer's body,
the garment comprising: a body portion which is operable to conform
to at least an area of a wearer's body; the body portion being
formed of a first portion of a fabric having a first resistance
characteristic operable to stretch to conform with movement of the
wearer's body and at least one second portion of a fabric having a
second resistance characteristic, the at least one second portion
conforming to an associated specific body area of the wearer's body
wherein the first portion and the at least one second portion are
secured together such that motion of the wearer's body causes the
at least one second portion to apply greater resistance to the
associated specific body area of the wearer's body than the at
least first portion applies to the wearer's body.
[0010] The provision of a garment wherein a resistive second
portion is secured to a different resistive first portion of fabric
so that it corresponds to a specific area of a wearer's body means
that portions of the second portion can enable targeting of
resistance to specific body areas of muscle. Resistance of the
fabric acts upon the body area to correspond with the muscle
strength curve such that overload of certain muscles can be
achieved during exercise as a result of the effect of the resistive
second portion acting upon specific body areas.
[0011] Preferably, the specific body area is a specific muscle. The
specific body area may be a specific muscle group. By having the
resistive second portion correspond directly to a specific muscle
or muscle group, the garment may be designed to act corresponding
to the specific muscle or muscle groups strength curve and
therefore apply overload to targeted muscles thus ensuring the
benefits of training are accurate and targeted. The garment may
alternatively be designed to act corresponding to a specific muscle
or muscle group strength curve and therefore supply support to
targeted muscles thus facilitating movement. Support may be
supplied to support muscle movement during illness, as a result of
old age, during recuperation from injury, or against external
resistance such as gravity.
[0012] Preferably, the greater resistance applied by the at least
one second portion is operable to reduce ease of movement of the
specific body area. By reducing ease of movement of the specific
body area by applying a second portion, target muscle resistance
training can be affected.
[0013] Alternatively, the greater resistance applied by at least
one second portion is operable to increase ease of movement of a
specific body area. By increasing ease of movement of the specific
body area by applying a second portion, targeted muscle support can
be achieved.
[0014] The first portion and at least one second portion may be
sewn together. Sewing the first and second portions together
enables a complex garment design to be created and fixed together
securely.
[0015] The first portion may be provided with at least one void
into which a second portion insert can be removably attached. The
first portion may be provided with a securing mechanism to
removably attach a second portion to the first portion. The second
portion may be provided with a corresponding securing mechanism to
co-operate with the securing mechanism of the first portion. The
securing mechanism may be a hook and loop type fastening mechanism
or may be a stud, zip, button or similar fastening mechanism. By
being able to removably attached the second portion the resistive
effect of the garment can be altered on demand.
[0016] The first portion and at least one second portion may be
woven together to provide an integrated fabric garment. Such an
integrated fabric garment could eliminate any areas which could
cause chaffing or irritation where the first and second portions
meet.
[0017] The first portion may be formed of a first fabric and the at
least one second portion may be formed of a second fabric. Such an
arrangement can enable use of two different fabrics with each
having different resistive properties. Thus optimising resistive
effect of the garment can be effective to the most subtle of
levels.
[0018] The first portion may be formed of a fabric having the
resistive characteristic of four way stretch. Such a fabric may be
Lycra.RTM.. In this way, the garment does not require special
openings such as zips to allow a user to put the garment on.
Preferably the second portion is formed of a fabric having the
resistive characteristic of two way stretch. In this way, the
ability for the garment to stretch entirely in one direction
assists in getting the user in and out of the garment without the
need for the garment to be tailored to fit. Thus `off the peg`
garments can be produced in standard sizing. Alternatively the
second portion is formed of a fabric having the resistive
characteristic of being non-stretch. Garments including non-stretch
portions are easier to manufacture as the direction of the stretch
does not have to be considered in construction.
[0019] The first portion may be formed of a fabric cut on one angle
and the second portion may be formed of the same fabric cut on a
second angle. By using cutting techniques such as weave cutting,
bias cutting or the like, different stretch properties may be
achieved whist using a single type of fabric for construction of
the garment. This has the benefit of the garment being of a single
fabric type and thus the durability of the fabric being consistent
meaning the garment will wear consistently and be simpler to
launder and care for.
[0020] The garment may be full body suit, a cropped body suit, a
sleeveless body suit, leggings, shorts, a top, a swimsuit or any
other suitable exercise garment.
[0021] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described
with reference to the following figure, by way of example only, in
which:
[0022] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a front view of a garment
according to a first embodiment of the present invention;
[0023] FIG. 2A is a portion of a garment according to a second
aspect of the present invention,
[0024] FIG. 2B is a portion of a garment according to a third
aspect of the present invention,
[0025] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a front view of a garment
according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention; and
[0026] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a front view of a garment
according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.
[0027] In FIG. 1 there is shown a garment, generally indicated by
reference numeral 10, which in this case is a cropped sleeveless
body suit, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Suit 10 is suitable to be worn by a user (not shown) when carrying
out all types of body movement. The suit 10 is provided as a one
piece garment having a front 12 and back (not shown) with portions
to be described herein affixed therein. The suit 10 has shoulder
straps 14, connecting the front 12 and back, between which is a
neck opening 16. On opposing sides of the straps 14 are respective
arm openings 18, with side areas 20 which extend from the arm
openings 18 to leg end openings 22. There are inside leg areas 24
which extend from the leg end openings 22 to a groin area 26.
[0028] A first portion 28 of the suit 10 is formed primarily of a
first fabric 30 which in this case is a fabric such as Lycra.RTM.
or another similar material which has a 4 way stretch
characteristic thus enabling the garment to conform to the user
without the need for contouring, tailoring or fastenings. Indeed
the user should be able to access the suit 10 via the neck opening
16. The first fabric 30 accounts for the fabric which covers a
central front area 32 extending from the neck opening 16 to the leg
end openings 22.
[0029] The first fabric 30 is provided with a plurality of voids
34a-h into which a plurality of second portions 36a-h are inserted.
The second portions 36a-h are formed of a second fabric 38, which
has a resistive characteristic different from that of the first
fabric 30. In this case, the second fabric 38 is a mesh fabric
which stretches along the warp but not along the weft of the fabric
so that when pressure is applied along the weft of the fabric it
exhibits a non-stretch behaviour. The second fabric 38 can be, for
example, a nylon mesh and this is used to form inserts 36a-h. The
second fabric 38 of inserts 36a-h is secured to the edges of the
first fabric 30 at the voids 34a-h in this case by stitching (not
shown)
[0030] As can be seen, the second fabric inserts 36a-h are arranged
to correspond with major muscle groups around the wearers body. For
example, inserts 36e and 36f will sit directly over the vastus
lateralus muscle; inserts 36g and 36h will sit over the adductor
longis and gracilis muscles, inserts 36c and 36d will sit over the
external oblique muscles and inserts 36a and 36b will sit over the
upper trapezius muscle.
[0031] In use, when a user wearing garment 10 lifts their leg, the
vastus lateralus, adductor longis and gracilis muscles will enlarge
as these muscles tense and work to lift the limb. The inserts 36a-h
are be orientated such that the non-stretch characteristic is
arranged to correspond with the muscle strength curve. Therefore,
in addition, the resistance created by the non-stretching of
inserts 36e, 36f, 36c and 36d will act on these muscles causing
them to further enlarge thus creating more tension and increasing
the effect of the movement on the muscles and causing them to reach
overload more quickly and for a longer period during the motion.
This can result in inborn, natural, unconditioned muscular
responses to be trained and modified due to the plasticity of the
nervous system which permits a refinement of nervous input to be
gained and which may create the circumstances where they can be
triggered in new combinations and sequences using layers or
restrictive garments 10.
[0032] Furthermore, when the user moves in a manner which is
unexpected or different from the predicted direction of use for the
muscle mass against which the restrictive inserts 36 are placed,
the inserts will ensure that the muscle is still more demanding of
muscular tension.
[0033] For specific sports or exercises, muscle development of
particular types is required in order to create the best display of
motor patterns for the activity. By using resistive inserts 36 to
place opposing resistive forces on the muscles which are to be
developed, the body works to optimise the benefit from specific
exercises and thus develop a skill in movement as well as an
increase in cardiovascular fitness.
[0034] Benefit will also be found for sports people to help develop
fundamental skill patterns or a series of movements which are of
particular resistive benefit, thus cause specific muscle group
enhancement so that particular motions are more easily controlled
or carried out. Repetition of training, technique and general
movement are essential in improving skills and fitness levels for
sport. In addition, the human body is a self-optimizing machine as
it will gradually adapt to a given movement or workload challenge
by improving efficiency with which movement is performed. Thus,
worn over a period of time, and with practice, the garment 10 can
help create a marked improvement in muscle balance and strength.
Thus, in order to further enhance the benefit of the
self-optimizing performance, the second inserts 36 may be made as
panels which are removably secured to the first portion 28 using a
securing means such as a hook and loop fastening (not shown) so
that second inserts 36 may be removed once the wearer has become
used to their resistive effect and replaced with new second inserts
36 formed of a new fabric (not shown) having a much greater
resistive character than that of the original second fabric 38.
[0035] In FIG. 2A there is shown a further embodiment of a detail
of a garment 100 wherein, using a single fabric, in this case a
traditionally non-stretch fabric 120, is used to achieve different
resistive qualities within a garment by using tailoring techniques
which, by cut at different angles, or bias', can enable the
non-stretch fabric to have a stretch property as it is acted upon
in different directions. For example, segment 122 of fabric 120 is
cut along the warp 123 and the weft 124 whereas segment 125 is cut
on the bias and the segments are then stitched together along seam
126. In this case, when a lateral force A is applied to segment
122, the segment 122 exhibits no stretch properties. By contrast,
when the lateral force B is applied to segment 125, the segment 125
will stretch, from the seam 126 where it is anchored to segment 122
and elongate in the direction of force B. Using such cutting
techniques, the garment 100 can be created to apply specific
resistive qualities to any desired muscle or muscle group whilst
only being created from a single fabric.
[0036] In FIG. 2B there is shown a further embodiment of a detail
of a garment 100 wherein, using a single fabric, in this case a
fabric 160 having a two way stretch characteristic is used to
achieve different resistive qualities within a garment as, by
orientating the fabric in different directions, different resistive
forces are applied by co-joined fabric portions. For example,
segment 162 of fabric 160 is arranged such that the two way stretch
characteristic of the fabric acts in the x-axis whereas segment 164
is arranged such that the two way stretch characteristic acts in
the y-axis. The segments 162, 164 are then stitched together along
seam 166. In this case, when a lateral force A is applied to
stitched segments 162, 164, then segment 164 exhibits no stretch
properties but segment 162 will stretch from the seam 166 where it
is anchored to segment 164. By contrast, when the lateral force B
is applied to the stitched segments 162, 164, the segment 164 will
stretch and elongate in the direction of force B. By arranging
segments of the fabric 160 in such a way, a garment can be created
to apply specific resistive qualities to any desired muscle or
muscle group whilst only being created from a single fabric.
[0037] In FIG. 3 there is shown a further embodiment of a garment,
generally indicated by reference numeral 200, which in this case is
a vest. The first portion 228 is made of first fabric having a four
way stretch and second portions 236a, b and c are made of a second
resistive fabric which only has a two way stretch. Portions 236a
and c correspond to the external oblique muscles and portion 236b
corresponds to the rectus abdominus muscles and the two way stretch
fabric is arranged to apply a resistive load to the muscle groups
when they are being used. In addition, a heart rate monitor 250 is
also incorporated within the garment 200. It will be appreciated
that additional sensors and electrical detectors may be
incorporated within the constructed garment 200, including but not
limited to miniature load sensor monitors of power meters, these
may individually measure muscle performance and other criteria such
as limb speed, muscle power, muscle flexibility, endurance and
muscle balance.
[0038] In use, as well as the resistive portions 236a, b and c
acting upon the associated muscles to enhance the effect of motion
in training them under resistance, the heart rate monitor can also
act to indicate overall fitness.
[0039] In FIG. 4, there is shown the front of a garment, generally
indicated by reference numeral 300, which in this case is a pair of
shorts. In this embodiment the first portions 328 are made of first
stretch fabric which is in this case a fabric, such as Lycra.RTM.,
which has a four way stretch characteristic. Second portions 336
are made of a second resistive fabric which is a mesh type material
having a two way stretch characteristic which is, in this case
orientated such that the fabric stretches along the y-axis and
displays no stretch characteristic, and so remains taut, along the
x-axis. Third portions, 338 are made of the second resistive fabric
which is orientated such that the fabric stretches along the x-axis
and displays no stretch characteristic, so remains taut, along the
y-axis.
[0040] In another embodiment of the invention the garment can be
utilised to support muscle movement. The garment, formed having a
panelled arrangement as is illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4 or another
suitable panelled arrangement for a specific use, will be
constructed of a first fabric with stretch characteristics and a
second fabric having a restrictive characteristic. The first fabric
and second fabric are stitched together such that the second fabric
inserts are, in this embodiment, arranged to correspond to muscles
which are to be supported in their motion.
[0041] As an example, during many typical movements of limbs, the
major muscles used operate as antagonistic pairs of muscles which
create movement when one, the prime mover, contracts and the other,
the antagonist, relaxes. In the upper legs, the quadriceps and
hamstrings form an antagonistic muscle pair. When a person walks,
runs, or climbs, the motion of lifting the knee sees the hamstring,
which in this example is the prime move, contract and the
quadrilaterals, the antagonists, relax. When increased resistance
against the muscles is desired to build strengths, the second
fabric panels should be arranged to correspond to the muscles which
are tensing to move thus adding load tot hem and causing them to
work harder for longer during the motion. However, it will be
appreciated that in cases of illness, recovery from injury or
generate age related muscle degeneration, the second fabric panels
can alternatively be arranged to correspond with the antagonist
muscles. By corresponding to the antagonist muscles, the second
fabric panels help support the limb during the motion being
undertaken by applying more resistance to the associated specific
body area requiring support. Put in the context of an elderly
person climbing the stairs, the second fabric works to help support
the muscle as the muscle works to raise the hips and knees. Such
additional support can aid the climbing process. It will be
appreciated that such an arrangement, the garment can help the
wearer walk faster or run more easily.
[0042] It will be appreciated that for the embodiments above, each
garment or body suit can be worn under normal day clothing or
sports clothing. The garments can be used for fitness and training
purposes or just for general health use. In particular the garments
are suited for use by sportsmen or women whilst playing their sport
in order to enhance the energy expended during their exercise
session. However, this benefit will also by found by those wearing
them simply to go a walk or a run on their bike. In addition, upper
body garments can be useful for those playing sports such as golf,
or tennis. Also, specifically panelled garments can be created for
those participating in general fitness classes or activities such
as yoga or Pilates.
[0043] Alongside the physical benefit of the garment for a user, a
mental advantage can also be gained as a result of the biochemical
and physiological processes occurring.
[0044] To enhance the performance of any of the above garments, the
garments may be worn in a layered manner in order to develop
resistive patterns to conform with a complex pattern or muscles or
muscle groups thus enhancing the overall effect and benefits to the
user.
[0045] Although described with reference to use by sportsmen, it
will also be clearly understood that for medical, clinical and
rehabilitative uses, the garments may be of significant value.
Gentle resistive exercise can improve and increase mobility as part
of recovery programs implemented after illness, operations or
accidents. In addition, some clinical conditions wherein the muscle
tone is impinged upon can be improved by the resistive effect of
the garments on desired muscles or muscle groups. For example, at
the beginning of rehabilitation, particularly after an extended
period of non-activity, a physiotherapist can use the garment on a
patient to reintroduce different manoeuvres. This requires
introducing low levels of controlled training, slowly increasing
the work load of the person throughout the course of their
rehabilitation period until full intensity training can be
achieved. In addition, for those requiring support in recuperation,
using the resistive fabric to provide support to muscle groups can
further enhance mobility.
[0046] Relative progressive training also trains the energy systems
of the body making them ore efficient. By having a person who is
undergoing rehabilitation train wearing a garment 10, 200, 300
re-establishment of motor unit recruitment patterns can occur and
can restore the bio-chemical fitness of any injured person.
[0047] It will be appreciated to those skilled in the art that
various modifications may be made to the invention herein described
without departing from the scope thereof. For example, although in
FIG. 1 the first fabric panel is detailed as having the second
stitched into voids, they could alternatively have been stitched
onto the top of the first fabric as they would then restrict the
ability of the first fabric to stretch. Alternatively they could be
secured to the first fabric by glue, hook and loop fastening, stud
or button fastenings. Furthermore, although only a four way stretch
fabric and a two way stretch fabric are detailed in the above
description, it will be appreciated that any number of fabrics with
different resistive qualities may be used and that these may be
used in specific zones or patterns in order to create a tiered
resistive effect in specific different muscle areas. Indeed,
inserts of a material exhibiting no stretch characteristics could
be used. In addition, the fabric or fabrics used may be chosen for
additional properties which complement their resistive properties,
for example, they may be chosen to keep the muscle group warm or
cool depending on how they perform. The garment of FIG. 1 is shown
as a cropped sleeveless suit, however it may be shorts, a swimsuit,
a long or short-sleeved top, leggings, a full body suit, or simply
legwarmers for use on the lower leg. It will be appreciated that in
effect any suitable garment for any part of the body can be
created. Furthermore, it will be appreciated that any number of
resistive inserts may be incorporated within the garment and these
may be of any size or shape to correspond with a muscle or muscle
group to which the panel is to correspond. In addition, differing
resistive fabrics may be used for different users, for example, a
rugby player may wish to work against a higher level of resistance
than someone who is merely walking their dog. Lycra has been
detailed as being a stretch fabric, and woven nylon has been
detailed as being a non stretch fabric, but it will be appreciated
that any suitable fabric exhibiting the stretch and thus resistive
characteristics may be used. For example, woven nylon may have a
highly non-stretch behaviour however knitted nylon may have some
stretch. In addition, silk satin cut on the weave may be
non-stretch but if cut on the bias a high degree of stretch can be
obtained. Fabrics having breathable properties may also be
used.
* * * * *