Specialized mass additive garments to modify the balances of athletes

Abstract

Athletic performance is enhanced based on methods and articles for customizing the mass addition characteristics of garments as appropriate to the desired athletic performance benefits sought. The enhancements can be explained and implemented by the analysis of specific components of balance associated with the body structure of the athlete. The customized mass addition may be achieved by a carrier mateable or insertable with the garment, or by integral manufacture of mass addition garments whose effectiveness is based on components of balance principles.

1 . An adapter for customizing garments through mass addition, according to characteristics of the wearer relating to balance or athletic performance, comprising: a mass carrier configured to mate with the garments and adapted to receive mass elements which are selectable in mass or amount and positionable within the carrier in accordance with such balance and performance characteristics.  
     
     
         2 . The adapter of  claim 1  wherein the mass carrier comprises a body having a plurality of spaced openings, each opening being suited for selective receipt of a mass element to customize the mass distribution.  
     
     
         3 . A garment customizable to the balance and athletic performance characteristics of the wearer, through selective receipt of a mass element or elements, and which can be used to position the mass element or elements at locations on the wearer's body which affect balance and performance characteristics.  
     
     
         4 . An adapter of  claim 3  wherein the method of receipt of a mass element is to receive a mass carrier per  claim 1 .  
     
     
         5 . An adapter of  claim 3  wherein the method of receipt of a mass element is to receive a mass carrier per  claim 2 .  
     
     
         6 . A method for determining the customized mass addition requirements for balance modifying garments that improve athletic performance comprising the steps of: measuring components of balance for one or more users of the garments; comparing the measured components of balance to a predetermined reference that is those components of balance desired, and modifying the mass additive characteristics of the garments to change the components of balance of each associated user to achieve those desired.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the method of measuring components of balance is done through measurement of muscle development affected by specific components of balance.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the method of measuring components of balance is done through measurement of posture affected by specific components of balance.  
     
     
         9 . A method for determining the customized mass addition requirements for balance modifying garments that improve athletic performance comprising the steps of: measuring performance characteristics affected by components of balance for one or more users of the garments; and modifying the mass additive characteristics of the garments to change the performance characteristics of each associated user to achieve those desired.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the performance characteristics affected by components of balance are defined as those performance characteristics affected by mass addition to locations on the body that affect components of balance.