• Science of Emotion and Sensibility
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.97-108
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• 2017

The purpose of this study was to propose a product planning and design direction for smart fitness wear that will improve the impact of personal training based on researching the requirements of smart fitness wear and its acceptance level, as well as the functional demand. The study conducted in-depth interviews with professional fitness trainers and derived five categories and thirteen keywords by analyzing the categorical data analysis using the interview data. In addition, we surveyed general consumers to measure the acceptance level of smart fitness wear and the functional demand for product development. The results revealed that the difference in the acceptance level of smart fitness wear generally depended on the characteristics related to exercise involvement and exercise-related culture rather than on the demographic characteristics. With regard to the difference in the functional demand of smart fitness wear, the results showed that professional trainers focused on the scientific improvement of the effect of exercise while general consumers focused on the function that considers the sustainability of exercise. Based on the results, we proposed product planning and design directions such as 'mounting of heart rate sensing, muscle activity sensing, motion angle or posture sensing, and motion sensing', 'development of concepts and contents for expert line, ordinary line', 'compression wear design', and 'differentiation of product development according to exercise areas'.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.336-345
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• 2019

This study evaluated the preference and wearing characteristics of existing fitness compression wear for elderly women and identified the problems and improvements of existing fitness apparel. Preference and wearing characteristics for 6 types (A-F) of upper and lower fitness compression wear were evaluated. Photos and drawings as well as the preferred designs and details were investigated after presenting the evaluation clothing. Evaluations were made on a 5 point Likert scale for the fitness, allowance, pressure, ease of movement, fabric material, and overall satisfaction after wearing. The design preference indicated that B type (26.6%) and C type (23.4%) were preferred in the top with C, E and F type preferred to the same ratio of 19.4% in the slacks. The fitness and allowance amount of the top B type were the most appropriate (${\geq}4$), the C type was in close contact (2.86), and the F type was inadequate in the neck circumference (1.77). The feeling of pressure was high in the waist, abdomen, thighs, and knees. The area where the elderly people want to improve their strength was the legs; in addition, a pattern design was needed to strengthen leg muscles when designing fitness compression wear. However, a design with excessive adhesion due to a muscle support band was shown to be not preferred. Therefore, depending on the activity, it is necessary to develop a fitness compression wear that applies an optimum stretching ratio of fabric based on body surface area changes.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.343-352
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• 2018

The objective of this study is to investigate the market of fitness compression wear as well as to design an optimal fitness compression wear by analyzing the muscle and movement characteristics of the elderly women in Korea. In this regard, research for functional garments is needed to increase muscle activity of elderly people during physical exercise. Firstly, we investigated the brand, design, size, material, and pattern of fitness wear based on the market survey. Secondly, we identified preference, evaluation items, evaluation method, and pattern design method based on the literature review. Finally, in addition, the motion type, range, angle to improve the muscle strength of the elderly were investigated and the maximum muscle strengths of each motion were analyzed by using 2007 Size Korea data (n = 386). It is also designed for muscle fatigue through exercise and rapid fatigue recovery after exercise. The evaluation methods for fitness compression wear were classified as motor functionality, physiological comfort, pattern and material suitability evaluations. The muscle strength at leg (pushing force) and waist (lifting force) of the ages of 60 to 69 years old showed 239.3 N and 274.5 N, respectively, which were the lowest forces compared to younger age groups. By applying these results to the design process of fitness wear, it is anticipated that the fitness wear will have a proper fit to the body shape of elderly people in South Korea as well as it can increase muscle efficiency to promote physical capability and healthy life for senior people.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.464-473
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• 2018

The objective of this study is to develop a sizing system of fitness clothing that can properly accommodate various body sizes of Korean senior women. The sizing system of upper and lower fitness clothing was developed in the present study by selection of key variables, identification of size category candidates, and determination of an optimal sizing system. First, key anthropometric dimensions (stature and bust circumference for upper clothing and stature; waist circumference for lower clothing) were identified by factor analysis on the direct body measurements (n = 272) and 3D whole-body scan data (n = 271) of Korean senior women in Size Korea. Second, sizing system candidates based on the key dimensions of upper and lower clothing were explored using a grid method and an optimization method. Lastly, among the sizing system candidates, optimal sizing systems of upper and lower clothing were selected in terms of accommodation rate. Five size categories (short/small, short/medium, tall/small, tall/medium, and tall/large) were selected as the optimal sizing systems of upper and lower clothing with 89% and 78% of accommodation rate, respectively, for the Korean senior women. The anthropometric characteristics of the representative humans of the optimal size categories would be of use in the design of fitness compressive wear for the better fit and effectiveness of exercise and health of Korean senior women.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.508-519
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• 2023

Muscle reduction owing to aging causes changes in physical function among the elderly. Fitness compression wear reduces fatigue by compressing the main muscles, expanding blood vessels, and rapidly discharging lactic acid. The effect of clothing pressure when wearing fitness compression wear for the elderly was objectively and subjectively evaluated for six women aged 55-64 years. The evaluation clothes were three types of tops and bottoms, one type of design (A) preferred among the existing compression wear, and two types of design (B and C). The objective evaluation items included clothing pressure, blood flow, surface temperature, and subjective satisfaction. It was found that clothing A had the highest clothing pressure in the straight posture and five fitness movements. Blood flow increased the most when wearing the evaluation clothing. The surface temperature was found to be the highest for clothing C, and subjective satisfaction was found to be the best when wearing evaluation clothing B. If the tensile strength was low and the tensile elongation was high, as in evaluation clothing B, it was recognized as appropriate clothing pressure, and the subject was subjectively satisfied. When manufacturing fitness compression wear in the future, it will be possible to increase users' objective and subjective satisfaction with wearing it, if the incision of the garment were placed at the location of the line of non-extension (LoNE), and appropriate material characteristics are applied.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.650-659
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• 2020

The present study provides reference data required for the design of clothing for the elderly by analyzing the body surface area during fitness motion based on 3D scan data of Korean elderly women. This study was conducted with the procedures of (1) survey of motions and main muscles for fitness, (2) acquisition of 3D scan data, and (3) analysis of rate of change for body surface area during fitness motion. Acquisition of 3D body scan data was obtained from seven elderly females (age: 64-77). We selected 66 anatomical landmarks (40 upper body and 22 lower body) by referring to previous studies. Body surface was segmented by connecting the landmarks marked on the 3D scan data acquired. Analysis of body surface area was conducted in terms of the change rate of surface area in 9 postures of elbow 0°, 90° and 180° for flexion, shoulder 90°, 180° for flexion, shoulder 0°, 180° for abduction, hip 90° for flexion, and knee 90° for flexion compared to the those in the standing posture. The amount of changes in body surface area were 12%-62% in the upper body, 15%-77% in the arm, and 10%-51% in the lower body. A future study on the rate of change of body surface length is needed; in addition, a study on how to apply the results of body surface area and body surface length analysis to clothing pattern design is also necessary.