Irish research company, Research and Markets has released a new report on textiles in sport.

Combining clothing functions with wear comfort is a growing market trend, and for all active sportsmen and the report is divided into five parts.

• Part one explores the current sportswear market, starting with a market overview then going on to look at current design, material requirements and functional footwear.

• In part two the innovative fibres and fabrics available are outlined, including high performance and high functional fibres, smart and intelligent textiles and coated and laminated textiles.

• Part three focuses on the need for comfort in sportswear. The physiological comfort of sportswear can affect not only a wearer's wellbeing but also his performance. The role of elastic can also play a part in providing comfort, through minimising the garment's resistance to the wearer's movements.

• The important issue of protection is looked at in the next section, with chapters on impact protection, protection against the cold and water resistance and water vapour transfer.

• Finally, part five offers outlines of specific applications, with case studies of textile composites, textiles in sailing and textile use in sports shoes.