Computing Comfort: Assessment of Construction and Fabrication of Athletic Garments for Wearability and Data Collection
Physiological data collection during athletic activity has provided new insights into the active performance of the individual and when teamed with the utilization of a GPS unit during sports practice yields information on both team and individual movement. There is significant interest from athletes, their coaches, and trainers to collect this data. Wearable physiological devices assert new ways of assessing physiological function and movement to contribute to improved physical capacity, performance, and health (Nazari, et al. 2017 pg. 599-600). Currently, the garments holding monitoring devices being used by athletic teams are considered uncomfortable for the user and the sensor consists of a very small surface area, creating issues with data collection (McDonald, 2019). Making the required garment more comfortable would greatly increase its use.
The goal of this research is to design and test different technologically enhanced garments to increase the comfort of the wearer without negatively affecting data collection.
Graduate Thesis 2020
Master’s of Human and Environmental Science
Amelia Gayle Gorgas’ day dress
Historic dress recreation
During my studies at The University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, AL I developed an interest in the history of the campus library, and upon learning more about its storied founder, Ms. Amelia Gayle Gorgas, I felt compelled to recreate one of the last artifacts the University had of hers that was intact.
Throughout this study, I became familiar with archival and protective processes used to preserve artifacts during research.
Taking the measurements and building a pattern was only the beginning of the recreation, from this point, I researched probable construction techniques to determine how her dress would have been constructed. The pattern was derived from fashion plates and tailoring books from the time period. From cartridge pleating her skirt and hand-binding buttonholes from unbleached muslin, the dress took shape.
