Development of tights that enhance table tennis performance
MIZUNO BIOGEAR SONIC, tights that enhance running economy, are popular not only with elite athletes but also many beginner runners. Postulating that the pelvic support design feature in MIZUNO BIOGEAR SONIC that enhances running economy could also be beneficial in other disciplines, Mizuno arranged for athletes across a wide range of sports to test the tights.
One outcome was a high rating from table tennis players. High-performance table tennis requires lowering the hips and maintaining a forward-leaning posture, which causes issues such as putting a strain on the gluteal muscles, forehand shots that cause fatigue buildup in the hip joint base and difficulty raising the legs, as well as loss of upper body rotational smoothness. However, after players gave positive feedback that wearing SONIC tights reduced the feeling of burden being reduced in the hip joint base, we began developing a table tennis-specific version.
1.Design optimized for table tennis
Pelvic support
While retaining the design elements that enhance running economy for long-distance athletes, targeted tightening to make leaning the pelvis forward easier means that these tights make it easier to maintain the half-crouching posture distinctive to table tennis.
Delivering both support and ease of movement
Similar to tights for long-distance running, this new model features fabric that stretches effectively in all directions. In addition, our patented adhesive technology delivers solid support while minimizing the number of seams. This design delivers both strong support and ease of movement. (Japanese Patent No. 6391530)
Adjusted inseam length
The length of the tights has been shortened to suit table tennis uniform shorts or skorts length.
2.Scientific proof of functionality
With the cooperation of 10 current table tennis athletes*1 as test subjects, we conducted scientific validation of the functionality of table tennis SONIC tights under the conditions of wearing or not wearing the prototype model.
The test movement was two sets, each comprising one minute of full-effort continuous forehand strokes (alternating aiming left and right, 45 shots/minute). During the sets, the forehand swing speed was measured using motion capture. The results confirmed that athletes wearing the prototype had approximately 1.2% faster stroke speed*2 in the second set than those not wearing them. This demonstrates that table tennis SONIC tights prototype helps prevent swing speed deterioration. In addition, the athletes wearing the prototype had an around 14% lower gluteus maximus (buttock muscle) motion amount when in the posture ready to swing the racket. An around 25% lower motion amount of the rectus femoris (front of the thigh) muscle during forehand strokes was also confirmed. These results demonstrate that table tennis SONIC tights prototype is likely to reduce the load on the buttock and thigh muscles.
*1 Due to a system error occurred during the motion capture measuring, the data used to compare the swing speed was of 9 testers
*2 Swing speed here is defined as a moving speed of the racket handle
3.Co-creation with elite athletes
We are adjusting the hip tightness by interviewing the elite athletes such as Miyuu Nagasaki, Miu Hirano, and Mima Ito. Miyuu Nagasaki, who made a significant contribution to winning the women's team silver medal at the 2022 World Team Table Tennis Championships, wore a prototype model at the games.
Commercialization of these SONIC tights is yet to be determined. However, we plan to continue the development and engage with athletes across a variety of sports with the aim of supporting enhanced performance.
At Mizuno, we aim to continue supporting a wide range of sporting activities by offering better sporting goods in the future.
