The Hong Kong Rowing Team has achieved excellent results at this year's Asian Games held in Incheon, South Korea. Contributing to the success is the rowing gear jointly developed by PolyU and the Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel. Sportswear is the irreplaceable companion of every athlete. In this issue, Dr Ho Chu-po (right on right photo) at PolyU's Institute of Textiles and Clothing shared the features of and technology in developing the sportswear for international races. 

What are the specific considerations in designing the rowing gear? 

Rowing is a sitting-down sports. While rowing, athletes need to mobilize the muscles all over, gently bend the back, and extensively stretch the four limbs. Their limbs, arms, legs, back and shoulders make different movements in the repeating rowing motion. Therefore, we made the unisuit in accordance with their sitting posture and movements. For example, we lowered the arm-pit cutting and reduced seams on the unisuit surface to keep the inner side of the garment smooth; thus avoiding skin-chafing which may affect rowing performance.

Also, we used fabrics that have stretchable, permeable, abrasion-resistant, anti-heat, hygroscopic, perspiring and UV-resistant features, so as to provide athletes with a next-to-skin and comfortable fit. During the development of rowing gear, the gears' weight and cutting as well as the fabric features all cater for the needs of athletes. 

What are the distinctive features of this sportswear specially designed for the Hong Kong Rowing Team in Asian Games? 

The weights of athletes are measured before the competition. We, therefore, are very careful in controlling the weight of the sportswear. Most importantly, this unisuit should be lightweight, comfortable and well-fitted with each stitch and each pattern meticulously designed. Lighter than the preceding one used by 0.2 kg, this unisuit can reduce athletes' overall weights, thus allowing them to take energy food.

As for cutting, we studied and modified overseas sportswear designs. With the help of 3D body scanning, we tailored the unisuit for athletes according to their body figures.

What were the major challenge(s) in designing and producing this sportswear? 

Producing this lightweight and comfortable sportswear was not an easy task. The most challenging part was to complete the whole process within 8 months. In addition, we had to develop a set of fabrication testing standards according to the special requirements in rowing, including UV protection, moisture management, lightweight, colour fastness, softness and durability. We also needed to speed up the fabric tests for the successful development of this set of high-performance sportswear in unisuit and T-shirt.