You can train and train to be the best at your sport, but there’s only so much that your body can do on its own. You’re dependent on outside factors, too, from weather to teammates to coaching. Something that can’t be understated is the importance of having the right equipment.
It doesn’t matter what sport you’re doing – what you wear (or don’t) is going to impact your performance. Runners take a lot of time making sure they have the right shoes that will offer proper support and minimize the risk of blisters. If you’re playing football, soccer, or some other sport on grass, you may wear cleats that help your grip on soft, sometimes muddy ground. If you’re a swimmer, you’re not wearing shoes at all.
When it comes to clothing for the rest of the body, both the material and the amount of fabric are important. If you’re in a sport that needs you to go fast, tighter outfits with no excess fabric make you more aerodynamic. Trunks and swimsuits don’t just follow this rule; they also have to be waterproof. If you’re into winter sports like skiing and snowboarding, you’re going to need to wrap up warm.
Safety is another important consideration. Helmets are essential in everything from boxing to cycling. For football and some other sports, you need padding all over. Some martial arts, like tae-kwon-do, fit sensors to their pads so it’s easier to tell when a kick or punch makes contact.
Of course, sports equipment isn’t just about what you wear. Your bat, your ball, and bike will all make a difference. Snooker cues, rifles, a bow and arrows… every sport has its own needs. Whether it’s a trampoline, a boat, or a horse (with appropriate tack), the range of external equipment is ridiculously diverse.
If a piece of equipment breaks in the middle of an event, it can completely throw you off your game. Everything must be checked and rechecked before you start, but you still need to have a plan for if something goes wrong. You may also need to think about having spares on hand. Just think of tennis players opening up a new racket or hearing the umpire call “new balls please.”
There’s a lot of science and expense that go into optimizing equipment for different sports. Take your time and get it right.
