76
N. Bairagi and S. K. Bhuyan
activity of playing wheelchair tennis. The main muscles involved are trapezius in the
shoulders and back, deltoid in the upper arms, biceps, serratus anterior in the lower
bust, Latissimus in the back and Sartorius, Rectus femoris, Gracilis and Adductor
longus are the main muscles in the thigh area. Therefore, these zones recorded a
higher temperature in the player due to an increase in cutaneous blood flow. The
minimum temperature is 28 °C. This is also due to the use of wheelchair, straps and
calipers that restricts the airflow in a sitting position. Properly designed adaptive
clothing, taking the hot spots of the body into consideration, can reduce the rise in
the cutaneous skin temperature and reduce fatigue of the sportswear.
In Fig. 5, where the infrared thermal imaging is taken after 12 min of the match,
it could be observed that the zones which recorded a previous temperature of above
33 °C, drops in the range of 31–32 °C due to the process of thermoregulation that
sets in the players. In Fig. 6, it can be observed that the temperature of the hot spots
further drops to 30–31 °C as the body tries to achieve thermoregulation. The thermal
imaging study of the player also showed the effect of physical exercise on the rise
in the skin temperature during the match. The rise in the skin temperature is due
to the increase in the cutaneous blood flow (CBF) during the exercise and is linked
to an individual level of vasodilation and vasoconstriction [14]. Johnson 1992 and
Robinson 1963 reported that at the beginning of the exercise the demand of blood
flow to the working muscles cause vasoconstriction, but as the body temperature
rises, the thermal regulatory processes predominate and the skin blood vessels dilate,
perspiration occurs, increasing heat dissipation through the skin by irradiation and
evaporation [14, 15]. This needs to be catered by the sportswear upper body garment
and lower body garment through designing with open structured fabric at those
specific zones that would enhance quick-wicking, moisture vapour permeability and
air permeability. Therefore, the designing of the sportswear need to use fabrics which
facilitates quick-wicking, moisture vapour permeability and air permeability with the
required level of the stretch as presented in the design criteria (Table 1).
3.5 Functional Needs Based on Common Strain and Injuries
of the Wheelchair-Bound Players
Paralysis makes the calf and hamstring muscles weak and significant loss in muscle
mass occurs in case of poliomyelitis. This impacts getting the right size of lower that
is fitted and functional. It was observed that the wheelchair-bound players need a
stronger back to support as they play. Regular exercises of upper arm and shoulder
strengthen the body and help to prevent injuries. But while trainings, the wheelchairbound tennis players often experience injuries such as shoulder sprain/blisters due to
abrasion/sprains/ muscle spasm/soft tissue injury in shoulder, arm, wrist etc. Similar
observations have been reported in the literature [16]. Along with the upper torso,
the lower back also undergoes a considerable amount of strain. Many players also
develop pressure sores and need appropriate intervention in the sportswear to reduce
N. Bairagi and S. K. Bhuyan
activity of playing wheelchair tennis. The main muscles involved are trapezius in the
shoulders and back, deltoid in the upper arms, biceps, serratus anterior in the lower
bust, Latissimus in the back and Sartorius, Rectus femoris, Gracilis and Adductor
longus are the main muscles in the thigh area. Therefore, these zones recorded a
higher temperature in the player due to an increase in cutaneous blood flow. The
minimum temperature is 28 °C. This is also due to the use of wheelchair, straps and
calipers that restricts the airflow in a sitting position. Properly designed adaptive
clothing, taking the hot spots of the body into consideration, can reduce the rise in
the cutaneous skin temperature and reduce fatigue of the sportswear.
In Fig. 5, where the infrared thermal imaging is taken after 12 min of the match,
it could be observed that the zones which recorded a previous temperature of above
33 °C, drops in the range of 31–32 °C due to the process of thermoregulation that
sets in the players. In Fig. 6, it can be observed that the temperature of the hot spots
further drops to 30–31 °C as the body tries to achieve thermoregulation. The thermal
imaging study of the player also showed the effect of physical exercise on the rise
in the skin temperature during the match. The rise in the skin temperature is due
to the increase in the cutaneous blood flow (CBF) during the exercise and is linked
to an individual level of vasodilation and vasoconstriction [14]. Johnson 1992 and
Robinson 1963 reported that at the beginning of the exercise the demand of blood
flow to the working muscles cause vasoconstriction, but as the body temperature
rises, the thermal regulatory processes predominate and the skin blood vessels dilate,
perspiration occurs, increasing heat dissipation through the skin by irradiation and
evaporation [14, 15]. This needs to be catered by the sportswear upper body garment
and lower body garment through designing with open structured fabric at those
specific zones that would enhance quick-wicking, moisture vapour permeability and
air permeability. Therefore, the designing of the sportswear need to use fabrics which
facilitates quick-wicking, moisture vapour permeability and air permeability with the
required level of the stretch as presented in the design criteria (Table 1).
3.5 Functional Needs Based on Common Strain and Injuries
of the Wheelchair-Bound Players
Paralysis makes the calf and hamstring muscles weak and significant loss in muscle
mass occurs in case of poliomyelitis. This impacts getting the right size of lower that
is fitted and functional. It was observed that the wheelchair-bound players need a
stronger back to support as they play. Regular exercises of upper arm and shoulder
strengthen the body and help to prevent injuries. But while trainings, the wheelchairbound tennis players often experience injuries such as shoulder sprain/blisters due to
abrasion/sprains/ muscle spasm/soft tissue injury in shoulder, arm, wrist etc. Similar
observations have been reported in the literature [16]. Along with the upper torso,
the lower back also undergoes a considerable amount of strain. Many players also
develop pressure sores and need appropriate intervention in the sportswear to reduce