There is more science than fashion in what athletes wear at the Olympics

- Discovery-Dr. Vihari shadow

- 'PCM' fabric i.e. 'PCM cloth' is also used in sportswear. 'PCM' is an acronym for Phase Change Material.

The Olympic Games were held in Tokyo, the capital of Japan, from July 7 to August 8. The grand opening of the Tokyo Olympics provided a platform for many companies to showcase their products and technology to the world. Such big competitions are the competition of companies working in the field of science and technology. Initially, sports competitions were based on physical ability, dexterity and skill. But gradually science and technology have made inroads. And today, starting from the training of sports competitors, sports equipments have also become high-tech. High technology has come in every field like sports shoes, sports clothes, balls used in sports, rackets, bats, playgrounds. Here we have to look at the technology in the dress of the competitors in the game.

Special sportswear first appeared in the 18th century. The suits worn by most competitors called sportswear were initially made of rayon and nylon. Then came the use of polyester, and 'span dexi'. Finally, in the 18th century, Lucell began to be used. ‘Lucell’ does not harm the environment. All these fabrics which are called fabric in English started to become garments or sub-garments. The first advantage of textiles produced with the help of high technology is its weight. Her weight should be light, especially when her dress is wet. Traditional cotton and wool garments as well as nylon garments are water ragi. I.e. retains moisture. It absorbs water. On the other hand, today's modern dress is anti-water. It does not get watery. It does not absorb water. According to sports doctors, wet clothes can have serious consequences. It can cause hypothermia. Which can be called avatartap in Gujarati, in which the body cannot produce enough heat as well as induces the expenditure of body energy. Suddenly the body temperature drops and there is a strong tremor. However polyester wear also has a net disadvantage. In that heat condition the body temperature goes up.

High technology has some remedies to overcome the above situation. Sweaty cloth for special players which is sold under the name Goretex or PB3. This cloth is such that if rain falls on the player, rain water does not pass through it. But if the player is sweating, it passes as moisture. They have the ability to bring moisture in and out. Thus the work that is done due to sweating in this type of fabric wear does not take place.

'PCM' fabric i.e. 'PCM cloth' is also used in sports wear. 'PCM' is an acronym for phase change material. Phase change is when water changes from a liquid state to a vapor or from a liquid state to a liquid or from a vapor to a liquid. In Gujarati it can be called 'Pravastha Badlav'. This type of fabric usually has water repellent (anti-water) fibers such as 'angio' or 'olefin'. It does not get watery. It is worn close to the skin of the body like a vest and knickers. It helps maintain body temperature. In hot conditions it cools the body and keeps it warm in cold climates. Its substance remains in a 'gel' state. Changes its phase by absorbing heat at high temperatures. Moreover, when the temperature around them drops, it releases the stored heat and returns to the 'gel' state.

Competitors are using the unique properties of graphene textiles to gain a competitive edge in the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020. Graphene has become a game changer in the field of sports due to its strength, flexibility, thinness, flexibility, electrical and thermal conductivity and light weight. These properties stem from the fact that graphene sheets are made up of single-atom-thickness layers (sheets) of carbon arranged in a honeycomb-like pattern. The wide range of its properties has widened its use in the field of sports.

By enhancing the properties of the fabric made from graphene, it can be made into a 'smart sports apparel' which helps the wearer to increase his efficiency and also be able to monitor his heart rate and body movements. This fabric is also able to act as a filter between the body and the external environment. The hot temperatures dissipate the heat and the cold temperatures dissipate the heat evenly. Thus it regulates the temperature for the wearer. The fact is that the fabric made from graphene has provided strength and durability without compromising the wearability. It makes it ideal for sportswear. It is very thin and weighs very little which makes the wearer more aerodynamic.

Synthesized running paths, synthesized grounds, temperature controlled swimming pools, fiberglass scents, new types of jelly and discs, make runners feel like flying, breathable and sweat-absorbing apparel, high for exercises that increase the capacity of certain muscles. Etc. are the days of science for sports competition. In every major competition the companies that make the above facility are also doing.