LONDON — September 1, 2023 — adidas has launched its second apparel collection featuring RHEON™ technology from RHEON Labs®, the Adizero Control running collection. The apparel pieces in the Adizero Control collection feature the RHEON patented reactive super polymer, which provides unparalleled energy control to help athletes improve their performance.
Simon Huntsman, Commercial Director and Head of Reactivewear at RHEON Labs: “In a world of elite sport, incremental gains can be the difference between the podium and last place. Until now, athletes have been losing energy — and therefore performance — through unwanted muscle movement or ‘shearing’. But apparel featuring RHEON works like a reactive exoskeleton, reducing muscle inefficiencies and those small fractional losses of performance.
“The RHEON material ensures that this energy is not lost by positioning muscles into the most efficient position, so more energy is directed into performance, helping athletes to unlock those few extra percentage points when performing at their limits. RHEON is highly strain-rate sensitive. Like running on wet sand, it is naturally soft and flexible but stiffens up the faster it is stretched. In activewear this unlocks a new world of performance apparel that is barely noticeable during everyday use, yet highly supportive in high-intensity movements.”
Using existing manufacture to bring new benefits
RHEON is strategically placed across major muscles. The strands are strain-rate sensitive, meaning the material is soft and flexible, but instantly becomes more rigid and supports when the wearer is performing high-intensity movements. This means the Adizero Control apparel provides all-around support during activity without being restrictive or overly compressive.
Strands are designed using proprietary geometries by RHEON Labs. The shape, size and placement of each piece is ergonomically designed using computer modelling to offer the optimal support for key muscle groups during exercise.
The manufacture of the collection has also been carefully overseen to ensure that RHEON works to the best effect. The RHEON Labs and adidas teams have worked closely with tier one manufacturers to ensure that the application of the panels works within existing manufacturing processes for lamination, using settings which preserve the energy absorption qualities of the material.
RHEON™ era of materials performance gains industry backing
RHEON technology has combined years of biomechanical research with complex chemistry in a way that will unlock a new world of athlete potential and shape a new era of performance.
RHEON Labs first joined forces with adidas to design and unveil the TechFit Control collection in March 2023.
RHEON Labs is currently working with university experts to test and verify the performance gains its material can deliver to athletes. Early results from RHEON Labs in-house testing indicates the material has the potential to control four times more energy than conventional elastane-based textiles, significantly increasing support during high-intensity movements.
Posted: September 1, 2023
Source: RHEON Labs ®
