Method for Monitoring or Visualizing the Running Speed of an Athlete and Athletic Garment

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for monitoring or visualizing the running speed (v) of an athlete (1). To determine the running speed of the athlete in an easy manner the proposed method comprises the steps: a) Providing a piece of garment (2) or a shoe (2′), which are worn by the athlete (1) during miming, wherein the piece of garment (2) or the shoe (2′) is provided with a coating (3) applied at an outer surface (4) of the piece of garment (2) or the shoe, wherein the coating (3) comprises at least one thermochromic dye or at least one liquid crystal, or wherein the piece of garment (2) or the shoe (2′) is made at least partially of a material, especially by a yarn, which comprises at least one thermochromic dye or at least one liquid crystal; b) Monitoring the color (C1, C2, C3) of the at least one thermochromic dye or liquid crystal during running of the athlete (1); c) Evaluating the running speed (v) of the athlete (1) on the basis of the actual color (C1, C2, C3) of the at least one thermochromic dye or liquid crystal. Furthermore, the invention relates to an athletic garment or shoe.

1 . A method for monitoring or visualizing a speed, especially a running speed, of an athlete, comprising the steps:
 providing a piece of garment or a shoe, which are worn by the athlete during a sporting activity,
 wherein the piece of garment or the shoe is provided with a coating applied at an outer surface of the piece of garment or the shoe, wherein the coating comprises at least one thermochromic dye or at least one liquid crystal, or 
 wherein the piece of garment or the shoe is made at least partially of a material, which comprises at least one thermochromic dye or at least one liquid crystal; 
   monitoring the color of the at least one thermochromic dye or liquid crystal during the sporting activity of the athlete; and   evaluating the speed of the athlete on the basis of the actual color of the at least one thermochromic dye or liquid crystal.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one thermochromic dye comprises a liquid crystal. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the piece of garment is a jacket or shirt and the at least one thermochromic dye is applied on a chest region of the jacket or shirt. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the piece of garment is a jacket or shirt and the at least one thermochromic dye is applied on a front sleeve region of the jacket or shirt. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one thermochromic dye is applied on a forefoot region of the shoe. 
     
     
         6 . An athletic garment or shoe, comprising:
 a section which covers a part of the body of an athlete,   wherein an outer surface of the section is provided with a coating which comprises at least one thermochromic dye or at least one liquid crystal or that the piece of garment or shoe is made at least partially of a material, which comprises at least one thermochromic dye or at least one liquid crystal, and   wherein the garment or shoe also comprises at least one region where elements are provided to influence the aerodynamic drag of the garment or shoe.   
     
     
         7 . The athletic garment or shoe of  claim 6 , wherein the thermochromic dye comprises a liquid crystal. 
     
     
         8 . The athletic garment or shoe of  claim 7 , wherein the liquid crystal is contained in a mixture which is applied to the garment or shoe, and wherein the percentage of the liquid crystal in the mixture is between 30 weight-% and 65 weight %. 
     
     
         9 . The athletic garment or shoe of  claim 8 , wherein the mixture further contains polyether, and wherein the percentage of polyether in the mixture is between 20 weight-% and 50 weight %. 
     
     
         10 . The athletic garment or shoe of  claim 8 , wherein the mixture further contains glycerol, and wherein the percentage of glycerol in the mixture is between 3 weight-% and 9 weight-%. 
     
     
         11 . The athletic garment or shoe of  claim 6 , wherein the athletic garment is a jacket or shirt and the section which is provided with the coating is a chest region of the jacket or shirt. 
     
     
         12 . The athletic garment or shoe of  claim 6 , wherein the athletic garment is a jacket or shirt and the section which is provided with the coating is a front sleeve region of the jacket or shirt. 
     
     
         13 . The athletic garment of  claim 6 , comprising trunks and the section which is provided with the coating is a front leg region of the trunks. 
     
     
         14 . The athletic garment or shoe of  claim 6 , wherein the elements which influence the aerodynamic drag are pads which are arranged on the outer surface of the piece of garment. 
     
     
         15 . The athletic garment or shoe of  claim 14 , wherein a plurality of substantially rod-shaped sticks are arranged on the pads or forming the pads which rod-shaped sticks extend normal on the outer surface of the piece of garment. 
     
     
         16 . The athletic garment or shoe of  claim 6 , further comprising at least one further section which is provided with venting elements. 
     
     
         17 . The athletic garment or shoe of  claim 16 , wherein the venting elements are designed as a pattern of openings, which are machined into the material of the piece of garment or which are manufactured during the production of the piece of garment or shoe. 
     
     
         18 . The athletic garment or shoe of  claim 6 , wherein coating is applied to the piece of garment or shoe by means of a printing process, by means of a spraying process or by means of a painting process. 
     
     
         19 . The athletic garment or shoe of  claim 6 , wherein the piece of garment or shoe has or is a textile substrate which comprises synthetic fibers and/or which comprises natural fibers. 
     
     
         20 . The athletic garment or shoe of  claim 6 , wherein the athletic garment is a seamless textile part.