On the Move - LYCRA.com

On the Move

A Brief History
LYCRA ® SPORT fabric was developed in response to consumer market surveys
confirming the quality image of LYCRA ® fiber in sport and its perfect fit with consumer
expectations in terms of superior apparel performance.
Global survey with 2,000 consumers practicing sport and aged 18-45 (men & women)
What do consumers look
for in athletic apparel?
Top 2
Freedom of movement
Fit & shape retention
82%
71%
What do consumers associate
primarily with LYCRA ® fiber?
Top 2
Freedom of movement
Fit & shape retention
66%
71%
Source: Pinnacle Marketing
INVISTA scientists and researchers then made LYCRA ® SPORT fabric come to life
with a set of standards that combine stretch fiber technology and demanding fabric
performance requirements designed specifically for sport and outdoor apparel.
In internal as well as independent research studies*, LYCRA ® SPORT fabrics
were shown to perform better than those containing generic spandex on the key
parameters of recovery power, shape retention and freedom of movement.
*
Recognizing the value of this branded fabric platform,
leading brands throughout the world have used a
LYCRA ® SPORT fabric hangtag on millions of garments.
In order to maintain this performance edge and cater to the specific needs of fast-growing
sub-categories within sports apparel, such as compression and shaping garments,
the LYCRA ® SPORT fabric technology platform is now evolving and on the move!

Introducing The New LYCRA ® SPORT Fabric Platform
Three tiers of performance
The original tier
LYCRA ® SPORT fabric – current performance standards (100% synthetics and natural fiber blends)
■
Unique set of demanding fabric performance standards
designed for sport and outdoor apparel in general
■
Key features: freedom of movement, bi-directional
stretch, comfort fit, long-lasting fit
Two new tiers
LYCRA ® SPORT ENERGY fabric – new performance standards (100% synthetics)
■
New standards designed specifically for compression fabrics
in high-intensity and high-energy sports
■
Key additional features: higher and more consistent compression
power* with outstanding freedom of movement, enabling the creation
of high-performance compression garments
* at a given stretch level
LYCRA ® SPORT BEAUTY fabric – new performance standards (100% synthetics)
■
Looking in shape while getting in shape
■
New standards designed specifically for shaping fabrics in sports
where performance meets beauty and style
■
Key additional features: higher shaping impact with ease of
movement; helps to design sport garments that combine
performance, aesthetics and style

LYCRA ® SPORT
ENERGY Fabric
THE SCIENCE OF COMPRESSION
Compression garments are designed to apply a specific surface pressure over
individual body parts. Claims made by sport brands include: enhanced muscle
support, increased blood flow, or reduced muscle soreness (DOMS), which all
contribute to increase energy levels.
LYCRA ® SPORT ENERGY fabric standards are designed to maintain the
right ratio of compression power and comfort. They include:
■
Minimum 100% stretch in both directions to maintain freedom of
movement as garments are worn tight to the body
■
Minimum recovery powers at 40% and 65% stretch to achieve desired
levels of compression in the garment
■
A normalized hysteresis (NH) standard, which determines the
consistency of stretch and recovery power of a fabric
Garment Wear Zone
Fabric Force
Fabric Stretch
Hysteresis
Fabric Recovery
40% 65% (Total Fabric Stretch)
Fabric Elongation

LYCRA ® SPORT ENERGY Fabric Performance Standards
Fabric Property
(Test Method)
LYCRA ® fiber Content
(ITM 033 or ITM 722)
Elongation: Length x Width
(ITM 398)
Fabric Recovery Force:
Length Direction (ITM 398)
Fabric Recovery Force:
Width Direction (ITM 398)
Normalized Hysteresis:
Width Direction (ITM 398)
Fabric Set: Length x Width
(ITM 398)
Shrinkage: Length x Width
(ITM 398)
Circ.knit: 15 g/m2 (0.44 oz/yd2) min.
Warp. knit: 22 g/m2 (0.65 oz/yd2) min.
100 x 100% min.
Min. unload force @ 40% elongation: 200 g
Min. unload force @ 65% elongation: 600 g
Min. unload force @ 40% elongation: 400 g
Min. unload force @ 65% elongation: 1000 g
14 max.
5 x 5% max.
Standards
5 x 5% max., except:
Circ. knit ribs greater than 1 x 1: 5 x 12% max.
Adequate recovery power to deliver freedom
of movement and fit
Freedom of movement and comfort in wear
Adequate recovery power to maintain appropriate fit in wear
Adequate recovery power to deliver appropriate compression
levels desired, freedom of movement and fit
More consistent stretch and recovery power at a given
stretch level for comfort in wear
Maintain fit during wear, minimize bagging and sagging
Maintain fit, wash after wash
Consumer Benefits
All elastane in the fabric must be LYCRA ® fiber. No natural fibers are permitted in the fabric.
This product information is subject to change by INVISTA.
INVISTA reserves the right to approve or not approve fabrics at its sole discretion.

LYCRA ® SPORT BEAUTY Fabric
The Science of Shaping
LYCRA ® SPORT BEAUTY fabric standards are designed to help improve the shaping
impact of fabrics while maintaining the freedom of movement and comfort required
in sporting activities such as fitness or yoga. They are based on:
1 INVISTA’s Science of Shaping technology platform, which combines
the performance criteria of power and efficiency to make fabric the
most suitable for shaping applications
■
Power: defines a fabric’s ability to perform as a shaping tool
■
Efficiency: defines a fabric’s ability to recover elongation
power; more efficient fabrics offer the potential for better fit
and comfort; these fabrics will better follow body movements
2 Additional fabric testing and specific standards related to the
unique performance requirements of sport apparel
Fabric Shaping Impact
LOW HIGH
Good shaping
but uncomfortable
Not optimal for
shapewear applications
High shaping with
comfort
Comfortable, but low
shaping potential
Restrictive to Movement
Fabric Comfort Index
Ease of Movement

LYCRA ® SPORT BEAUTY Fabric Performance Standards
Fabric Property
(Test Method)
LYCRA ® fiber Content
(ITM 033 or ITM 722)
Elongation: Length x Width
(ITM 398)
Fabric Recovery Force:
(ITM 398)
Fabric Set: Length x Width
(ITM 398)
Shrinkage: Length x Width
(ITM 398)
Fabric Recovery Force:
Shaping & Normalized
Hysteresis
(ITM 399)
Fabric weight
a. 240
Standards
Circ. knit: 15 g/m2 (0.44 oz/yd2) min.
Warp. knit: 22 g/m2 (0.65 oz/yd2) min.
100 x 100% min.
Must pass in the fabric length and width
Min. unload force @ 40% elongation: 200 g
Min. unload force @ 65% elongation: 600 g
5 x 5% max.
5 x 5% max., except:
Circ. knit ribs greater than 1 x 1: 5 x 12% max.
Must pass in either the fabric length or width
Min. unload force
at 30% elongation:
a. 200 g
b. 250 g
c. 400 g
Normalized hysteresis
at 30% elongation:
a. 14
b. 14
c. 12
Consumer Benefits
Adequate recovery power to deliver freedom
of movement and fit
Freedom of movement and comfort in wear
Adequate recovery power, maintain fit in wear
Maintain fit during wear, minimize sagging
and bagging
Maintain fit, wash after wash
Shaping and silhouette enhancement
All elastane in the fabric must be LYCRA ® fiber. No natural fibers are permitted in the fabric.
This product information is subject to change by INVISTA.
INVISTA reserves the right to approve or not approve fabrics at its sole discretion.

Order your hangtags online: www.hangtags.INVISTA.com
LYCRA ® SPORT Fabric: The Brand Advantage
■
With 85% * consumer awareness globally, LYCRA ® fiber
has exceptional brand value to consumers
■
LYCRA ® fiber brand creates value with 58% * worldwide
consumer preference versus spandex/elastane
* LYCRA ® Brand Global Tracking Study, Strategic Insights, 2010.
To learn more about LYCRA ® SPORT fabric or to locate a marketing representative near you,
please contact us at apparelinfo@INVISTA.com.
www.LYCRA.com/SPORT
LYCRA ® is a trademark of INVISTA. © 2012 INVISTA. IN-0299