An overview of this segment of the Sport Industry
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An overview of this segment of the Sport Industry.
Sociocultural comparisons and perceived pressure to be thin can foster body
dissatisfaction; however, some individuals report a preference for athletic-ideal body shapes
over a thin-ideal. Comparing oneself to a fit peer can affect body satisfaction and the amount
of time one engages in physical activity. For example, a study by xxxxx with female
undergraduates found that women stopped exercising sooner and felt less satisfied with their
bodies when they exercised near a woman they perceived as physically fit wearing shorts and
a tight tank top as compared to exercising near an unfit woman wearing baggy pants and a
baggy sweatshirt. Thus, social comparisons with peers may promote unhealthy behaviors or
avoidance of certain activities. Additionally, individuals who experience weight-related
stigmas may be less willing to participate in physical activity and avoid exercise due to low
perceived competence and lack of motivation.
Individuals who adopt an external observational view, or a self-objectified perspective
of their bodies, may invest a considerable amount of psychological, physical, and financial
resources into their appearance. Objectification theory proposes that these individuals
internalize the observers’ view of their bodies (i.e., self-objectification) and become
preoccupied with how their body appears to others without regard to how their body actually
feels. Interviews with elite athletes indicate that they view an athlete’s body “as an object to
be managed.”
Self-objectifying thoughts and appearance concerns may be triggered in
individuals with low self-esteem and exacerbated in certain environments. For example, a
study by xxxxx in which participants were instructed to try on either a swimsuit or a sweater
in a dressing room with a full-length mirror and then complete a mathematics test showed
that women in the swimsuit condition performed worse on the test than women in the sweater
condition. The authors postulated that bodily shame diminished their mathematical
performance since their mental energy was focused on their appearance. Another study by
xxxxxx with a similar protocol with men and women of Caucasian, African American,
Hispanic, and Asian American descent, found that all participants had lower mathematics
performance and appeared vulnerable to self-objectification during the swimsuit condition
compared to the sweater condition. A study by xxxxx with 202 adolescent girls found that
those with higher measures of self-objectification had poorer performance throwing a softball
when asked to throw as hard as she could. These findings suggest that experiencing bodily
shame may negatively influence one’s ability to engage in physical activities or other
activities that require mental resources.
Clothing appears to be an important, but often ignored, part of how women manage
their physical appearance. Wearing a swimsuit or other tight, body contouring uniform for a
particular sport may be necessary for performance, but there are often gender discrepancies
with women usually wearing much less clothing. Revealing sports uniforms may be
perceived as stressors and exert pressure on some athlete’s functionality or performance
advantage. Indeed, some individuals report feeling uncomfortable wearing revealing attire
and may choose not to participate in a particular sport due to required uniforms.
Sports uniforms may contribute to unhealthy eating behaviours and eating disorders,
especially among women. For example, female athletes often experience increased body
image concerns, unhealthy body comparisons, and body dissatisfaction; however, satisfaction
with uniform fit can improve body perceptions. In addition, female runners who report high
identification with exercise and high value on having an athletic physique may be vulnerable
to obligatory exercise.
Performance of sport participants depends upon a number of factors, including their
psychological state, which may be influenced by their athletic clothing or uniform. Xxxx
suggests that the color and fit of an athlete’s uniform influences their psychological
functioning. For example, during a simulated competition, participants reported feeling more
dominant and threatening when wearing red as opposed to wearing blue. Participants also
perceived their opponents as more dominant and threatening when the opponents were
wearing red. Similarly, a study with male fighters taking part in an experimental combat
situation found that those wearing a red jersey had significantly higher heart rates before,
during, and after the fight compared to wearing a blue jersey. In addition, a study of female
basketball players showed athletic clothing that provided a satisfactory fit on one’s body
improved athletes’ body perceptions.
Findings from the literature xxxx indicate that clothing choices influence our
perceptions and behaviors, which may affect us in a number of ways. At the present time, no
studies to our knowledge have examined this phenomenon among endurance athletes. Thus,
the purpose of the current study was to explore the role of clothing fit among a group of
runners. We hypothesized that individuals would perceive both male and female athletes
wearing tight fitting clothing to be more physically fit than athletes wearing loose fitting
clothing.
Physical Activity, Body Change and Apparel Fit of Athletes.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO, Global, 2013), many diseases
and six percent of deaths, globally, are caused by lack of exercise. Although physical activity
does not necessarily mean sports participation or organized exercise as defined by the WHO
(Global, 2013), research by the Physical Activity Council (2012) found that regular
participation in organized school exercise makes an adult up to four times more likely to
participate in adult sports. This is important for long-term health since physical activity tends
to reduce cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, depression, and skeletal problems such as
hip and spine injuries. xxxxx found that boys who did not participate in sports were more
likely to become inactive and that women who participated in sports in high school were less
likely to be obese as adults. xxx added that sports benefits for teenagers were beneficial,
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lowering pregnancy rates and raising grades and self-esteem. Participation in sports had a
lasting effect on the education and employment levels of adult women. The positive effects of
sports participation are also apparent in adolescence. There is a strong correlation was found
between students who participate in sports activities and high academic achievement. First
lady, Michelle Obama even joined in, encouraging a national campaign to increase the health
of children. Although, cause and effect cannot be established and there are many other factors
such as parental support to be considered, academic achievement does increase with sports
participation. There are also some negative aspects to sports participation, noting that for men
the drive for muscularity can take a physical and psychological toll if they feel they are not
meeting the norms set by their peers and society.
Xxxx explains that athletes competing in high impact sports had a higher bone
mineral density and appendicular muscle mass than the control groups. Resistance training
increased the strength and muscle mass of women in a ten-week training program. Many
research studies show greater strength increases than muscle size increases, which generally
do not occur until about the twelfth week of training. What causes these changes to occur and
muscle size to increase after that point has not been fully discovered with the current
research, but putting the muscles under high force has been found to damage the muscle
fibers and cause cell divisions in the muscle to repair the damage. This cell division builds the
muscle mass of the affected muscle. Long distance runners have smaller skinfold
measurements, higher lean muscle mass and lower fat measurements than the average
population. Muscle fiber number was increased with weight training. The results of all of
these studies show that athletic participation does have an effect on the physique of the
athlete. The psychological changes appear to be overwhelmingly positive as far as
achievement and attitude, but the changes that separate them from the average population can
have some negative effects on their ability to find clothing that fits properly.
Athletes tend to have unique problems with fit of their clothing. xxx discussed the
differences in body builder physiques and the lack of proportion compared to the 10 average
person. According to xxx, ninety-five percent of clothing available in stores does not fit the
bodies of extreme athletes. The only ready-to wear clothing available that does fit these
athletes is extremely casual wear designed mainly for exercise. Although body builders
exemplify the extremes of body disproportion, it is common for athletes to have body
changes as a result of their exercise regimens. Tjis includes gymnast’s well-developed leg
muscles, swimmer’s large shoulders, and football player’s enlarged necks, shoulders, and
legs. The sculpting of the body through exercise is what many athletes strive for, but the
resulting fit issues of the clothing available through ready-to-wear markets can cause
problems for the athletes that they may not have foreseen. Entrepreneurs of online businesses
such as BestCustomShirt.com and Casualmale.com have acknowledged and are offering a
solution for adult athletes.
Body Image, Body Satisfaction and Body Shape.
Body image and body satisfaction are complex issues that affect all aspects of human
life. Xxx stated that while writing his doctoral dissertation he became interested in body
image and body satisfaction and his research in these areas has guided his professional career.
His extensive research led to the publication of a scientific journal, Body Image: An
International Journal of Research, as a platform for other researchers to work and publish
their findings in this area. There are differences on how a person feels about their body
changes how secure they feel overall. This security affects other aspects of 11 their lives as
well. Xxxx found a direct link between body image and depression when tested across
several body indices. There is also body dissatisfaction as a difference between actual and
desired body mass index (BMI) and found that females are more dissatisfied with their bodies
than males. xxxx reported that as the dissatisfaction with body size increases, so does the
number of “unhealthy days” for the participant. Their research indicated the possibility that a
negative body image may increase the propensity to suffer from obesity that can cause
various health problem.
In the United States, our body ideals are developed, for example, the media, dolls
played with by young children, video games and models in the fashion industry. Body
satisfaction or dissatisfaction is likewise affected. This research accentuated the need to find
realistic body ideals to decrease the negative effect of body dissatisfaction. The fashion
industry has come under fire for the use of extremely thin models. According to xxxxx, the
British Fashion Council took responsibility for promoting a healthy body image and although
they did not set specific limits, they urged designers to choose healthy models over sixteen
years of age. The employment of anorexic models in high fashion has been discouraged
because of the increasing prevalence of eating disorders. Ten million females and one million
males suffer from anorexia or bulimia and for many of them it could cost them their lives. On
college campuses, eating disorders are common and the practice of dieting to try to attain
unrealistic body images is often reported. This report listed eating disorders as the most
deadly mental illness and also found that elite athletes have a significantly higher rate of
disordered eating patterns than other respondents. The American Journal of Public Health
reported that a person’s health is more accurately predicted by the difference in their actual
weight and the body weight they wish they had than it is by body mass index. Women who
were unhappy with their bodies used clothing to camouflage their appearance, avoided bright
colors and some silhouettes and did not like to shop. They also found that these women were
more likely to engage in eating disordered behaviors such as anorexia and bulimia.
Body dissatisfaction is common among athletes, and it includes a desire for a decrease
in body weight for females and increase in weight and muscle mass for males. There is
significantly greater body dissatisfaction among females than males and among those with
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higher BMI. BMI is used to screen children for possible weight related problems. Pressure to
conform to societal body image came from parents, peers and the media. Body image and
weight control are important to many children ages six to nineteen. They reported that the
self-esteem of children in the middle to high socioeconomic status was more affected by
feeling overweight than that of children with low socioeconomic status. Body weight is an
issue and negatively affected self-esteem. Body satisfaction perceptions are established by the
age of ten and no significant changes in those perceptions were noted as the children matured.
The importance of body image and self-esteem of athletes is also another major issues
in clothing fit industry. Athletes who have high levels of body consciousness were more
likely to be involved in substance abuse. The link between body consciousness and substance
abuse varied by gender but the authors suggested drug 13 programs targeted toward children
who are unhappy with their bodies in an effort to curb substance abuse in adolescence.
Depression is common among adolescents. Approximately twenty percent of adolescents
suffer from depression before adulthood. They concluded that higher rates of depression
among females were noted in subjects with eating disorders and body-image issues following
puberty. It is widely accepted that there is body dissatisfaction among athletes.
With these
improvements, the importance of athletic ability, beauty, and what others thought of them
became less important. The program focused specifically on self-esteem to improve body
image.
Slim women athletic participation seemed to have a protective effect on their self-
esteem and body image. Although they acknowledged soecietal involvement and social
acceptance had some effect, it still appeared the participation in sports was linked to a more
positive women identity. There are many reasons for atheletes to participate in sports and
physical activities including fitness, fun, and to improve skills. Although sports involvement
appeared to help most athletes with their body image and body satisfaction. Athletes body
satisfaction through the years of rapid growth and found that adolescents of all ages worry
about their weight, body size, and body shape. The lack of a correlation between age and
body satisfaction were not found, leading to the conclusion that all adolescents are worried
about weight regardless of their actual age throughout the maturity process.
Body Image and Apparel.
xxx studied the relationship of clothing and the body and noted that their data agreed
with earlier studies concluding that women are dissatisfied with their lower torso and thighs.
They found a definite relationship between body image, body size and the clothing that
women find aesthetically preferable. xxx challenged the textile and clothing professionals to
make a difference in our world of increasing body dissatisfaction. They proposed the
development of undergraduate courses that would focus on body image. Their proposed
courses would enlighten the students to factors encountered in everyday society that cause us
to develop distorted body images. The course content could also help the students understand
why and how we learn to judge beauty and develop body image preferences. It would point
out how the beauty, fitness, and weight-loss industries prey upon consumer insecurities to
increase their company profits.
Fit and Sizing Issues in the Apparel Industry.
Xxx reported that vanity sizing, the practice of adjusting the size on the label to reflect
a lower size than what the garment actually measures, is a common practice. xxx revealed the
practice of cutting tags out of clothing so size eight models will not refuse to wear a garment
with a size ten on the tag. The focus of these articles points to an increasing problem in the
apparel industry, the problem of fit issues of garments available in ready to wear stores. Xxxx
pointed out that a size eight in one brand might be the same actual size as a size twelve in
another brand. Women are getting larger and clothing sizes are decreasing, making it difficult
for the customer to know what size to buy. More expensive brands are adding inches to the
standard sizes to attract customers. Xxx explains that customers realized that some apparel
companies use vanity sizing. This research also found that although these customers
responded that they found apparel sizing to be inconsistent, they were still mostly satisfied
with the sizes and the fit of apparel.
Nike and other companies reported at the Dutch trade association for fashion, interior
design, carpets and textiles, seminar that companies are beginning to realize that when they
solve the fit issues for their clothing lines, customers become satisfied and are more likely to
buy their garments at full price. They are using 3D body scan technology to redefine their
target customers and make clothing that consistently fits this target customer. xxx reported
that fifty percent of women and sixty-two percent of men say they cannot find clothing that
fits their bodies. Fit sessions are one of the most important parts of the production process,
and typically ninety-four percent of garments go through two or three fitting sessions before
going to the manufacturer. The first step in the fit session process is to choose 16 a fit model
that approximates the size and shape of the target customer. Problems with fit includes pants
sagging, drooping in the shoulders, tight fitting mid-sections of shirts, and bunching in the
crotch of pants. These problems became more apparent when tightly fitted styles were
popular. Sizing from the fifties through the seventies as one of the problems with fit, since
customers today have different body proportions than people from earlier decades and
suggested new national surveys that include use of body scanners.
Some of the reasons women keep clothing that does not fit well were for sentimental
value; they thought the garment would fit them again someday; they spent a lot of money on
it; or simply that they really liked the garment. Discarding garments that no longer fit may
seem to be a decision that is logical and easy to make, but women in this study exposed other
thoughts and feelings that cloud an otherwise clear decision. The decision to retain a garment
that does not fit well became, for these women, one that can be economic, emotional,
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psychological, and possibly physical in nature. The researchers found that this age group has
not been studied much in the past, and in light of the fact they used their clothing to feel
better about themselves, the proper fit of their clothing was important. A need was indicated
for further study with this consumer age group to determine if changes were necessary.
Athletes’ adolescents are interested in their looks and clothesand that athletes re concerned
about the emotional effects of their clothing as much as the functionality of their garments.
Consumer’s perceptions of fit also altered their overall satisfaction. Even with exact
measurements, the nuances of fit according to the customer had to be accounted for in the
production process.
Fit and sizing of garments is just one of the issues that apparel companies must face.
xxx found sizing was generally based on one fit model that was representative of the target
customer. This was also usually done in a 2D format. They discussed how 3D images could
assist in sizing for the apparel industry by increasing the fitting of apparel from a single fit
model to sizing data from thousands of people separated into age and gender categories.
Current research has determined that physical activity is important for people to remain
healthy. High school sports has been found to be beneficial in many ways including
increasing positive body image, academic achievement, and the likelihood of adolescents
remaining active throughout their adult lives. Extreme athletic participation makes finding
clothing that fits 19 properly more difficult for athletes. Body image, body satisfaction, and
body shape are important to adolescents according to existing research. Research is lacking,
however, with regard to apparel fit issues reported by high school students. Technological
advances have been made in 3D body scanning that could be instrumental in correcting fit
problems prevelant in the apparel industry. This body of research led to the development that
implemented 3D body scanning technology, in conjunction with a survey to complete the
objectives of this study.
Industry statistics.
The sports apparel market was valued at $167.7 billion in 2018 and is estimated to
reach $248.1 billion by 2026, registering a CAGR of 5.1% from 2019 to 2026. In 2018, the
men end user segment accounted for more than half of the share in the total sports apparel
market, and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.6% throughout the forecast period. Sports
apparel are clothes worn during strenuous physical activities such as during workout sessions
or while playing sports. They are designed in a way that provides comfort and agility while
performing physical movements. Sports apparel are made using breathable material that
allows sweat to evaporate faster, helping the person wearing it remain fresh for longer.
Polyester, microfiber, calico, and spandex are some of the most commonly used fabrics in the
production of these clothing. Initially, the sports apparel was mostly worn by athletes but,
with time, it became quite common with regular gym-goers and other non-athletes. The
adoption of sports apparel has been quite high in mature regions such as the U.S., Canada,
and Germany while emerging countries such as China, Brazil, and India are catching up
quickly.
Sports apparel has been gaining traction in emerging market, owing to rise in the
affluent population. Furthermore, growth in health awareness and increase in adoption of
fitness activities such as aerobics, swimming, running, and yoga among consumers drive the
market growth. Moreover, rise in participation of women in sports and fitness activities fuels
the sports apparel market growth. In addition, aggressive advertisements and celebrity
endorsement has also helped the sports apparel industry to pave its way toward growth.
However, fluctuating prices of raw materials used in making such clothing and easy
availability of counterfeit products act as the major restraint for this market. On the contrary,
growth in demand for trendy and fashionable sports apparel and increase in popularity of
sports apparel among children are anticipated to provide growth opportunities for the sports
apparel market.
The sports apparel market has been segmented based on end user, distribution
channel, and region. On the basis of end user, the market is divided into children, men, and
women. Based on distribution channel, it is segmented into E-commerce,
supermarket/hypermarket, brand outlets, and discount stores. On the basis of region, the
market is studied across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and LAMEA.
Based on the sports apparel market analysis, the men segment generated the
maximum revenue in 2018 and is expected to continue this trend throughout the forecast.
This can be attributed to higher participation of men in sports. However, the women end user
segment is expected to grow at the highest CAGR throughout the forecast period, owing to
growing participation of women in sports.
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Based on the sports apparel market analysis, the men segment generated the
maximum revenue in 2018 and is expected to continue this trend throughout the forecast.
This can be attributed to higher participation of men in sports. However, the women end user
segment is expected to grow at the highest CAGR throughout the forecast period, owing to
growing participation of women in sports.
By region, U.S. is the most prominent regional market. This can be attributed to the
highly evolved retail structure and higher adoption of sports apparel due to aggressive
advertising and celebrity brand endorsement. Moreover, higher expenditure of the consumers
on fitness apparel due to it being considered a style statement also adds to the popularity of
sports apparel in this region. However, China is expected to grow with the highest CAGR
throughout the forecast period, owing to rapidly improving retail infrastructure and increasing
disposable income of consumers in this region.
The players in the sports apparel market have adopted acquisition as their key
development strategy to increase profitability, and to improve stance in the sports apparel
market share. The key players have also relied on product launch to improve their product
portfolio and stay relevant in the global market. The key players profiled in the report include
Adidas AG, Nike, Inc., Puma SE, Under Armour, Inc., Ralph Lauren Corporation, Umbro
Ltd., Fila, Inc, Lululemon Athletica Incorporation, New Balance Athletic Shoe, Inc., and
Columbia Sportswear Company.
Key Benefits for Sports Apparel Market.
The report provides a quantitative analysis of the current sports apparel market trends,
estimations, and dynamics of the market size from 2018 to 2026 to identify the
prevailing opportunities.
Porter’s five forces analysis highlights the potency of the buyers and suppliers to
enable stakeholders to make profit-oriented business decisions and strengthen their
supplier–buyer network.
In-depth analysis and the sports apparel market size and segmentation assists in
determining the prevailing sports apparel market opportunities.
The major countries in each region are mapped according to their revenue
contribution to the global sports apparel market.
The market player positioning segment facilitates benchmarking and provides a clear
understanding of the present position of the market players in the industry.
The global compression sportswear market size was USD 4.03 billion in 2020. The
global impact of COVID-19 has been unprecedented and staggering, with compression
sportswear witnessing a negative demand shock across all regions amid the pandemic. Based
on our analysis, the global market exhibited a huge decline of -9.7% in 2020 as compared to
the average year-on-year growth during 2017-2019. The market is projected to grow from
USD 4.24 billion in 2021 to USD 6.59 billion in 2028 at a CAGR of 6.5% during the 2021-
2028 period. The sudden rise in CAGR is attributable to this market’s demand and growth,
returning to pre-pandemic levels once the pandemic is over.
Compression sportswear is designed to enhance blood and lymphatic flow by
improving performance and reducing injury recovery and body shaping time in athletes and
fitness freaks. These garments are engineered with elastomeric fibers that provide substantial
pressure over the body parts by stabilizing and compressing the underlying tissues, thus used
for body-shaping, athletic, and medical application. This sportswear offers several benefits to
an athlete’s performance by reducing muscle fatigues and soreness, improving perceived
exertion, strength recovery, power and jumping ability, better muscle oxygenation, and groin
support. This type of clothing is further beneficial in the healthcare sector for the treatment of
geriatric age group patients for curing spondylitis and other joint and groin dysfunctions.
Major key manufacturers & players in the industry are coming up with noteworthy fabric
innovations such as smart nanotechnology-based fabrics and moisture-free, heat-resistant
compression clothing for fitness and athletic activities. Adoption of such technology-based
materials is augmenting the overall market growth.
The unexpected spread of the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in lockdown in various
activities, including disruption in physical and sport activity. The sporting goods industry saw
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halted activities for the first time after the financial crisis of 2007–08. Most retailers, brands,
and manufacturers reported a significant reduction in their revenues and earnings, despite a
bounce back in the activities after the first wave of COVID-19-related lockdowns. The
exception being the Chinese market, which continued to grow at an average CAGR of 16.5%
from 2015 to 2019. Sporting goods businesses experienced a significant decline in market
value in the 1st and 2nd quarters of the pandemic. However, sportswear companies exhibited
more resilience than the rest of the apparel market, with sports equipment makers, including
bicycle and digitally-enabled fitness equipment, gyms, etc. The novel coronavirus profoundly
impacted the global sportswear market in 2020, with most companies posting reduced sales
and hampered supply chain and logistics activity.
Indoor individual sports and home workouts saw increased participation, and team
sports and outdoor sports saw reduced participation, owing to postponement/ cancellation of
almost all sporting events. On the other hand, among developing prospects, women’s outfits
were in focus, amidst increased emphasis on running, yoga, home workouts, pilates, etc. The
pandemic, however, has brought forth certain innovations such as rising demand for
sustainable products, digital commerce, and increased involvement in individual exercise and
sports. However, the pandemic's effect is expected to go further than momentary performance
as it has augmented changes that are likely to have ongoing impacts on companies and
organizations throughout the global sporting goods industry value chain. Therefore, the
industry needs to adapt to both its consumer proposition and operational capabilities to cope
with the challenges faced due to COVID-19.
Increasing Advancement in Compression Sportswear Clothing Technology is a
Vital Trend.
In the current market scenario, technical advancements and innovations are at their
peak. Technological implementations while manufacturing the compression fabric have
enhanced, resulting in a better quality of sportswear. The World Federation of the Sporting
Goods Industry (WFSGI) focuses on the theme, Manufacturing 4.0: Steps toward a future
vision for manufacturing technology-based fiber in an automated production unit.
Emerging
digital transformation
in the apparel industry with respect to the process, new
economic model, and material innovation is the key factor for technological advancement in
the market.
DRIVING FACTORS.
Increasing Cases of Sports Injuries due to Hectic International Sports Schedule to Aid
Growth.
The growing importance of outdoor sports and the increasing number of international
tournaments will boost the adoption of innovative sportswear options. Various public and
private organizations are signing deals with sports federations to organize a wide range of
sports events. For instance, in 2019, the All India Football Federation and IMG-Reliance
signed a commercial deal in football for USD 98,700,000 in the near future. Henceforth,
increasing the participation rate in tournaments leads to frequent sports injuries, thus boosting
the demand. This is likely to favor the growth of the global market in the forthcoming years.
RESTRAINING FACTORS.
Lower Product Awareness & Availability of Counterfeit Products to Hamper Growth.
Limited information about the importance of active sportswear among athletes is a
key factor in the lack of product awareness. Several emerging small and medium enterprises
re-engineer the products of major key players to maintain their market position. This is a
factor leading to an increased quantity of counterfeit products worldwide. Moreover, there are
few regional private organizations that opt for manufacturing counterfeit products at a
cheaper rate in countries such as India, China, Japan, Brazil, Argentina, and Zambia that will
restraint the growth of the market.
Sample Job Descriptions of Sport Human Resource Professionals.
Fit Specialist
RUN DOWN.
This position is what drives our company’s collective progress. In this role you will be
responsible for managing the overall customer experience. You will be interacting with
customers, resolving customer issues and creating an upbeat, positive and inclusive work
environment. Within the scope of this position, contribute to the company’s overall position
as the leader in franchising locally owned and operated running stores that build thriving
running communities.
KEY ESSENTIALS:
Work with customers to ensure the proper fit of footwear, apparel and accessories by
utilizing our fit process; promote in-store events and training programs.
Be proactive in learning the details of each shoe, apparel, and accessory line in the
store, as well as the products fit and function.
Work one-on-one and as a team to ensure each customer receives a unique customer
experience from the sales floor to the cash wrap.
Build genuine relationships with customers through active listening.
Determine the customer’s needs and offer suggestions or alternatives.
Help to maintain organization, cleanliness, and stock storewide.
Be an ambassador for Fleet Feet Sports at all activities, functions, and events.
Have FUN!!
Other duties as required and directed by Fleet Feet Greenville, SC to ensure the
continued success of the Fleet Feet brand. These may, on occasion, be unrelated to the
position described here
QUALIFIERS.
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Willingness to go above and beyond when needed. Flexibility and positive reaction to
change. Independent drive to meet and exceed sales goals. An overall understanding of what
sets Fleet Feet apart and why customers come into the store. Ability to show customer service
in all situations. Open availability including evenings and weekends. Retail experience is
always welcomed.
Here are a few reasons why the right athletic apparel is so important to have.
1. RIGHT CLOTHING PROVIDES COMFORT.
Whether working out or testing skills at sports, wearing inappropriate garments can
cause a lot of discomfort. Ill-fitted and loose clothes can come in your way, while overly tight
ones can hinder your movement and restrict blood circulation. Therefore choosing the right
size is a necessity. Having breathable fabric that wicks away moisture keeping one cool and
dry, makes a huge difference in how you feel.
2. APPROPRIATE CLOTHING REDUCES THE RISK OF INJURY.
Good quality compression wear helps protect the muscles from inflammation as well
as injuries. Compression wears increase blood flow to the heart, delivering much-needed
oxygen to working muscles. As a result, it reduces fatigue and soreness by controlling lactic
acid accumulation. With the right clothing comes an effortless workout.
3. RIGHT APPAREL WILL BOOST YOUR CONFIDENCE.
Wearing the right clothes can be highly motivating and help you achieve your
goals.
79%
of people owning good gym clothes have been successful in achieving their
fitness goals. The right piece of clothing can boost your confidence and self-esteem. A
phenomenon called, ‘Enclothed Cognition’ says that clothing can activate psychological
changes that influence performance and confidence level favorably. When one looks good,
they feel more assertive, so investing in the right apparel is a win-win situation. You also
want to choose clothes that make you feel self-confident. The better you feel in your clothes,
the more likely you will be to feel positive about exercise and want to continue doing it.
According to the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, African-American
women who feel self-conscious about the way they look and the clothing they exercise in are
less likely to participate in physical activity.
4. THE RIGHT CLOTHING IS DURABILITY.
Any kind of athletic activity, be it gymming or sports, involves a lot of falling,
bumping, and stretching. All these vigorous exercises and training can damage your clothes
and result in loads of money spent on replacements. The right workout gear, which is high-
quality and durable, can help you save hard-earned money and is what you need.
Weather.
If you are exercising outside, you need to consider the weather. In hot weather, the
right clothing can help prevent heat-related illnesses. Loose clothing allows air to cool your
body and evaporate sweat. Choose light colors instead of dark to reflect the sun's rays away
from your body. In cold weather, choosing easily layered clothing allow you to remove
clothes as you heat up and add layers if you become cold from sweat. A polypropylene layer
near your body can absorb the sweat, so you won't become chilled when it evaporates. Outer
layers with ventilated openings can also help you regulate your body temperature in colder
weather. A face mask or scarf can protect your lungs from the cold air, and gloves and warm
socks can protect your hands and feet. In both types of weather, head protection is essential.
In the winter, choose warm hat to insulate your head. In warmer months, a light hat shields
your head from the sun.
Movement.
Choose loose clothing for physical activity so you have the right amount of movement
to perform the exercise correctly and comfortably. For instance, if you wear jeans and try to
stretch, you won't be able to push your body as far as if you wear loose clothing.
Shoes.
Shoes are extremely important for physical activity, especially for high-impact
exercises such as running. Most stores sell specialty sneakers for different types of exercise,
such as running, cross-training and basketball. Experts at these stores can often advise you on
the best shoes for your preferred activity. The President's Council suggests shoes with heavy
soles with a lot of cushioning and proper support for the arches of your feet.
Conclusion.
From a clinical perspective, we are concerned that tight fitting attire will facilitate
upward body comparisons. Such comparisons could result in athletes becoming body
conscious and dissatisfied with their appearance, possibly resulting in unhealthy weight loss
attempts or avoidance of certain sports. However, the results of this study suggest another
possible negative consequence related to tight fitting sport attire, but not for the person
wearing it. If an individual views such attire as intended exclusively for those who are more
physically fit, then the individual may experience feelings of inferiority or inadequacy and
not feel fit enough to wear such attire while exercising or competing. Thus, she might feel too
uncomfortable to wear sport attire that she associates with physical fitness and success in
sport, not to mention attractiveness. Unfortunately that perception also appears to decrease
confidence regarding one’s own sport performance, which would be an important treatment
issue for sport psychologists, who focus on factors affecting sport performance. In essence,
she may not feel that she can compete in regards to meeting societal pressures for a certain
image that signifies athleticism. If the discomfort with attire and the lack of confidence is
significant, the individual may withdraw from her sport/physical activity. Many individuals
with low self-perceptions of their physical ability require extra encouragement and support to
engage in sports (20).
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Future studies should consider measuring clothing fit and perceived fitness level
among different target groups, such as individuals who have never participated in a running
event to elite athletes participating in intense competitions (e.g., Olympics; Ironman) and
other geographical locations. It may be interesting to compare the current results with less
physically active individuals as well as elite athletes. In addition, it may be helpful to gather
more information on participants’ perceptions of themselves, self-worth, and their own
confidence level of performance prior to and following exposure to photos.
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