This report reviewed the past, present and future of functionalization of sports clothes. At an early stage of synthetic fibers, functionalization of fibers started as simple imitation of functions of natural fibers. This situation was changed by appearance of new materials and technologies, which enabled the synthetic fibers to have more sophisticated functions and even sensitivities. Recently, invention of innovative technologies such as supercritical carbon dioxide and nano-fibers have been collecting attention for their capability to generate more advanced functional fibers. Provided that we will construct information delivery system and on-demand design and production system between users and manufacturers, we will see the advent of more advanced functional sports clothes such as wearable fashion made of smart-textiles. It should be noted that the technologies and systems established in the process of developing the sports clothes may find other applications such as medical and nursing clothes.

DESCENTE SPORTS SCIENCE Vol.33/THE DESCENTE AND ISHIMOTO MEMORIAL FOUNDATION FOR THE PROMOTION SPORTS SCIENCE