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up for the cup

football science

Another day another match... You’ve trained your socks off to be wearing that shirt, so well done. Now it’s up to the scientists to do their thing to help you on your way. Remember, with science, you’ll never walk alone!

football shirts

Textile technology has already triumphed at the World Cup... Team shirts have features such as inbuilt 50 UV protection to protect against the scorching sun and fabric panels that can transport perspiration away from the body. A new type of weave has also been put to use, which has reduced the weight of the shirt by 10-15%.

footballs

The balls used in the World Cup are the most high-tech ever to be used in competition. They’re made of ‘syntactic foam’, a lightweight, durable, waterproof material which is often used at sea is buoyancy products. Each ball has three separate layers, which will help preserve the shape of the ball no matter how hard it’s booted – and give players extra control over where they place it.

football boots

Technology marches on with boot design... Studs have been developed which aim to give the player better grip and acceleration on all surfaces. As for boot uppers, these are often made from a single layer for sensitivity, and side lacing is claimed to reduce the pressure on the top of the foot and give a cleaner strike of the ball!

isotonic sports drinks

During a soccer match the average player can lose up to 5% of their body weight in sweat. But dehydration can affect muscle performance. So much research has been conducted into when to drink liquids, and what sort. Isotonic drinks have been proven to be the best method of re-hydration for sportspeople, as they contain the right balance of chemicals the body needs to refuel the muscles effectively.

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