A NEW ergonomic PE kit has been designed to help prevent teenage girls from dropping out of participation sports.
The prototype kit follows research of 2,000 girls aged 14 to 16 which found 74 per cent would enjoy PE more if their kit was more comfortable to wear, and 70 per cent would be more likely to participate.
ASICSThe prototype kit follows research of 2,000 girls aged 14 to 16[/caption]
ASICSThe kit tackles the biggest issues girls have with their current kit[/caption]
Created by sportswear brand ASICS, alongside Inclusive Sportswear and mental health charity Mind, the ‘Undropped Kit’ tackles the biggest issues girls have with their current kit.
Problems include lack of choice, uncomfortable fabrics, shapeless design, suitability for different weather conditions, period concerns, and sweat absorption and visibility.
It has been developed to prioritise comfort, choice, and confidence, in the form of three versatile components – so girls can focus on enjoying physical activity and stay in sports.
Comfort has been addressed through the inclusion of sprinter shorts which can be adapted into a skort or baggier shorts, depending on each girl’s preference.
The kit also includes an emergency hair tie built into the zip – so flyaway hair will never get in the way of playing sports with friends again.
Tailored to withstand ‘all’ weather conditions using packable and water-repellent properties, a stowaway hood helps to avoid being drenched in a downpour and a removable top layer adapts to different weather conditions.
Differing body temperatures were also taken into account – so a detachable inner liner is included, which can be worn as a gilet to allow for easy warm up or cool down.
Dark coloured fabric also helps conceal potential leaks, with hidden zip pockets for tampons or valuables – tackling worries about both periods and a lack of storage.
Concerns current kits are itchy, see-through, and uncomfortable have been addressed as softer, sweat-wicking, darker fabrics have been used.
An elasticated bungee cord waist for a better fit also solves the issue of baggy, shapeless kits.
The kit has already been trialled by pupils at Burnley High School – in a region identified by Sport England as having some of the lowest PE participation rates in the country.
To drive long-term change, ASICS is supporting Inclusive Sportswear, a UK-based organisation advocating for an inclusive sports kit policy to lift the barrier of PE kit for all pupils.
Tess Howard, founder of Inclusive Sportswear and international hockey player for Team GB, said: “A PE kit is the most underrated reason girls drop out of PE, but the good news is we can fix it – and fast.
“Inclusive Sportswear is built to solve this issue by helping schools employ inclusive PE kit policy based on enabling choice and comfort.
“By listening to girls and evolving kit to support their needs, we can lift this barrier.”
Hayley Jarvis, head of physical activity at Mind, added: “We believe physical activity is a powerful protective factor for young people’s mental health.
“It’s deeply concerning to see so many teenage girls dropping out of PE in such big numbers.
“While the reasons are complex, simple changes like adapting PE kit could help girls feel more comfortable to stay active, giving them a lifelong tool to support their mental health.”
Parents and school staff are encouraged to join the Inclusive Sportswear Community Platform, gaining access to free expert training, toolkits and guidance developed with the Youth Sport Trust to create meaningful change and help more girls enjoy PE.
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