Bayer MaterialScience: Peak athletic performance with the right outfit

At the soccer World Cup, fans expect peak performance from "their" players. The outfit that players wear can play a critical role here: today’s clothing and footwear offer athletes superior comfort and high functionality, thanks in part to innovative materials from Bayer MaterialScience.

Underwear should be lightweight, comfortable and offer plenty of freedom to move. What´s more, players will need weatherpoof and breathable clothing to avoid sweating in Brazil’s tropical climate. But today’s demands go far beyond that: professional and amateur athletes alike are turning to functional clothing that supports motion.

The football shoes likewise must be lightweight and comfortable. The soles, in particular, are subject to extreme wear and tear. They come into direct contact with the ball and must often withstand kicks from other players. Furthermore, games quite often take place on wet or muddy fields. Products from Bayer MaterialScience provide the desired comfort and sure-footing.

Like a second skin
A lot of players wear a special kind of underwear with compression function that feels like a second skin on the body: Techfit™ Powerweb™ from adidas. The shirts and shorts fit close to the skin, but an athlete hardly feels them at all.

The trick is elastic bands incorporated in the garments that have a special coating based on Impranil® raw materials from Bayer. They give an athlete improved posture and prevent premature fatigue. When the bands stretch, the material temporarily stores the energy, giving it back to an athlete as he or she continues to move. This effect enhances strength and stamina. At the same time, the compression helps the avoidance of unwanted muscle vibration that can influence performance.

Impranil® polyurethane dispersions are exclusively waterborne and contain no cosolvents. Textile coatings formulated with this product can be processed with significantly less waste than in conventional production. The coatings retain their outstanding properties even after machine washing and drying.

This is particularly true for the capacity of the coated bands returning to their original shape after stretching. This high rebound resilience has been proven impressively in stress-strain tests.

A success story in athletic footwear
Bayer MaterialScience has long been active in developing material solutions for lightweight and durable athletic footwear. One legendary example is the Copa Mundial from adidas: it has now been in production for over thirty years and, with over 10 million pairs sold to date, it is the most successful shoe in soccer history. They have been worn by soccer greats such as Franz Beckenbauer, Michel Platini and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge.

But success does not come by chance. Professional and amateur athletes around the world prefer its excellent forefoot flexing and comfort. These properties depend primarily on the sole, which is made of a very durable Desmopan® thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) from Bayer. The company’s researchers developed the material specifically for this shoe.

With its good traction, the shoe still outstrips the competition today. The Copa Mundial’s optimal damping and pressure distribution is particularly easy on joints, ligaments and muscles. These physical advantages are attributable in part to the flexible and wear-resistant TPU sole from Bayer MaterialScience.

This soccer shoe has recently celebrated a spectacular comeback. For the 2014 soccer World Cup, adidas has introduced a new model called the Samba Copa Mundial. It combines the company’s colorful Samba collection with the style of its classic soccer shoe. With their exciting colors, the shoes are a perfect match for Brazil and the sporting event of the year.

Source: Bayer MaterialScience