Today, biotechnology is a sunrise industry transcending every aspect of society. The latest application of biotechnology is in the field of sports, where it aids in improving athletic performance through genetic engineering, performance-enhancing drugs, genetic analysis, and more. Let’s explore how the biotech industry can revolutionize the sportswear sector in India.
Biotechnology is the amalgamation of biological science with engineering, where living organisms or cells are used to produce products or services. [1] It applies biological principles to create or modify products and processes.
As technology evolves rapidly, its impact on sports becomes increasingly profound, offering athletes opportunities to enhance their performance. The demand for sportswear with improved functionality, efficiency, and durability has existed for decades. Biotechnological advancements have paved the way to meet these demands by upgrading existing textile materials and developing intelligent textiles with new characteristics and functions.
Recent developments in the sportswear industry have the potential to revolutionize the sports world. Engineered fabrics are designed to deliver specific performance and functionality, particularly in active sports like mountain climbing, swimming, parachuting, aerobics, and skiing. These textiles boast properties like UV protection, water resistance, antimicrobial capabilities, breathability, and comfort. [2]
Moisture-wicking fabrics can pull moisture away from the skin using tiny, built-in capillaries. These fabrics are designed to move moisture to the outer surface for improved evaporation, ensuring breathability. Biotechnology enhances the natural moisture-absorbing properties of fabrics, maintaining hygiene and comfort for athletes. Antimicrobial textiles, developed through biotech, inhibit microbial growth, thereby preventing odor.
India’s growing awareness of environmental sustainability has led to the adoption of eco-friendly materials in sportswear. Major brands now incorporate sustainable fabrics into their products. Eco-friendly materials derived from biological processes, such as lyocell, organic cotton (from genetically modified organisms), and recycled nylon, are gaining popularity.
Medbound Times connected with Sanket T., a senior scientist at Biocon, for his insights on biotechnology in the sportswear sector:
Eco-friendly materials derived from biological processes can replace conventional synthetics, making sportswear more sustainable. Biotechnological innovations like 3D printing of sportswear could reduce waste, especially in garment production.Sanket T, Senior Scientist at Biocon
Smart textiles can sense and respond to environmental changes, including chemical, mechanical, electrical, and thermal stimuli. They recognize user movements using pressure sensors woven into multi-layered knit materials, with applications in healthcare and rehabilitation. Fabrics embedded with sensors or bioactive compounds can monitor parameters like heart rate, body temperature, and sweat levels, providing real-time feedback to athletes to enhance performance.
Therapeutic fabrics offer health benefits, such as compression clothing that improves blood circulation or fabrics that release nutrients like vitamins and collagen into the bloodstream. These fabrics can help relieve stress and rejuvenate the body.
Using athletes’ genetic data, sportswear tailored to their specific body needs can be designed to enhance overall performance. Nanotechnology enables the creation of specialized fabrics that adapt to the body’s requirements and adjust accordingly.
Biotechnology has the potential to revolutionize India’s activewear market with biotech-integrated products. However, challenges such as cost, scalability, and consumer acceptance remain. Raising awareness about the safety and quality of biotech-enhanced sportswear is essential for its success in the Indian market.
References:
Gupta, V., Sengupta, M., Prakash, J., and Tripathy, B. C. "An Introduction to Biotechnology." Basic and Applied Aspects of Biotechnology, 1–21, 2016. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-0875-7_1 (Accessed January 9, 2025).
Pandey, Avinash C. "Nanotechnology in The Driver’s Seat of Sportswear Industry: A Review of Current Trends and Future Applications." (Accessed January 9, 2025).
By Jithin Paul