Hi-tech kit boosts Team GB

Britain's Olympians have been helped to their amazing haul of medals in Beijing by innovative clothing which the manufacturers claim improves athletes' speed and power output.

Though kit is not significantly different in cut or style from recent Olympics, new fabrics have been used to keep competitors' bodies cool in the heat and humidity of the Chinese capital.

Team GB have also been using a new material developed by kit-maker Adidas which gives extra elastic power to their muscles.

The material, known as TechFit PowerWeb, uses thermoplastic urethane - a type of polymer - which provides support to key muscle groups.

Bands of the material are fitted inside special shorts and tops worn by the competitors, and act like springs to help the contraction and expansion of muscles.

Tests carried out at the University of Calgary showed the material could improve explosive power and give faster sprint times.

The team kit was tailored specially for each sport, and a spokeswoman for Adidas said all the British athletes had been personally fitted for TechFit.

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