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Course

Sports and Performance Clothing: From Fibres to Function 

Discover the fundamentals of performance textiles through a dynamic mix of theory and practical demonstrations. This hands-on course explores how functional clothing works, why it matters, and how to choose the right materials. Ideal for professionals working with sportswear or protective apparel, it offers essential insights into fibres, fabric performance, and application-specific design.
National Rank
Delivery Method
On-Campus
Research
Level
Intermediate
National Rank
Supplies and Materials
All Included
National Rank
Achievement
Certificate of Completion
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On completing the course you will receive a shareable certificate
maximum capacity 10
£650
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Research
Duration
2 Days
Research
Upcoming Dates
8th - 9th July
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What Will You Learn?
  • Understand how the human body regulates temperature and the implications for clothing design.
  • Identify and evaluate the key functionalities of technical textiles, including moisture management, insulation, and water resistance.
  • Explore the structure and working mechanisms of performance garments such as base layers, outerwear, and protective uniforms.
  • Learn how to assess the comfort, mobility, and protective qualities of garments for specific environments and user needs.
  • Gain insight into industry-standard performance requirements and testing methods for technical apparel.
  • Observe demonstrations of key performance tests, including base layer effectiveness and waterproof garment evaluation.
  • Develop the ability to select appropriate fibres, yarns, and fabric finishes to meet environmental and activity-specific demands.
  • Differentiate between textile materials used in constructing performance clothing and understand their applications across sportswear, gorpcore, and specialist sectors.
What Skills and Benefits Will You Gain?
  • Build confidence in identifying and selecting functional textiles for sportswear and specialist clothing.
  • Strengthen your ability to communicate technical garment requirements across the supply chain.
  • Enhance your sourcing decisions by understanding fabric properties in relation to performance and product use.
  • Develop practical insight through hands-on demonstrations and the ability to interpret textile test results.
  • Gain a clearer understanding of how clothing systems, like base layers, function in both hot and cold environments.
  • Improve your ability to design garments that respond to human physiology, such as sweat and thermal regulation.
  • Reduce material and production costs by selecting the right fabrics for the right applications.
  • Broaden your professional expertise with knowledge grounded in both real-world industry needs and textile science.
Who Is This Course For?
  • Professionals in fashion or textiles looking to deepen their understanding of performance clothing and functional materials.
  • Buyers, designers, technologists, and marketers seeking to source, specify, or promote performance garments with confidence.
  • Anyone exploring performance wear as part of product development, client consultation, or strategic sourcing.
  • We highly recommend completing the Introduction to Textile Technology course first for essential foundational knowledge.
Course Lead
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Dr. Mark Taylor
Research Fellow in Sports Clothing and Sustainability

Dr. Mark Taylor specialises in sports and protective clothing with a focus on sustainability. He completed a PhD focusing on impact-absorbing mechanisms in climbing helmets and has since worked on various projects related to comfort in extreme environments and fall protection. His research interests include protective clothing systems, waterproof zip fasteners, sports protectors, outdoor footwear comfort, and firefighter clothing systems. Dr. Taylor is also involved in biomimetic textiles, such as developing super-adhesive materials inspired by gecko feet and creating miniature data-logging sensors for measuring microclimates in footwear. His teaching includes core and optional modules in the BA in Fashion Technology and master's level supervision.

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Course Contributors
Alice Hazlehurst
Materials Testing Research Technician
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