Nike has debuted the Nike Vapor basketball uniform, an innovative new uniform designed for the NBA.

To create the new uniform, Nike’s designers focused on three key areas of improvement: fit, movement and heat regulation.

Using atlas mapping, a process involving digital body scanning, designers identified sweat zones, contact zones and range of motion, and were able to utilise the data collected to create a uniform that keeps players cool and dry and their movement uninhibited.

It was in development for over a year, and underwent hours of testing from both the athletes and designers, with players trialling the uniforms at the 2016 Rio games.

Billed as Nike Basketball’s most advanced kit to date, the uniforms feature Nike AeroSwift technology and are made from a knit material that is designed to wick sweat away from the skin 30 per cent faster than its predecessor.

Kurt Parker, vice president of Apparel Design at Nike, says: “We wanted to dramatically evolve both the performance and look of the uniforms.”

“We were able to streamline the fit by tailoring the uniforms to their need, resulting in the lightest uniform in NBA history,” he says.

Sport-kit keyword : NIKE

Wearable tech company Polar has expanded its range of heart rate monitoring technologies with the launch of the Polar OH1.

Polar OH1 is an optical heart rate sensor designed to be worn on the lower or upper arm. Polar’s advanced heart rate solution allows it to provide accurate heart rate data without the need for a chest band.

With a battery life of up to 12 hours and an internal memory capable of storing up to 200 hours of HR training, the OH1 is made from a soft, machine washable fabric, while the armband is designed to fit snugly and discreetly around the wearer’s arm during any sports activity.

Tom Fowler, president of Polar USA, says: “Polar OH1 delivers a compelling alternative to wrist and chest-based heart rate measurement. We know that comfort and accuracy are key drivers of high performance, both of which were paramount when we engineered the details of OH1.”

Sport-kit keyword: POLAR

Sports construction specialist CLS Sports has upgraded the running track at Wavertree Stadium, Liverpool, as part of the city’s bid for the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

The stadium, which was used as a training centre for London 2012, has undergone a multi-million-pound refurbishment over the past four years in order to create a world-class athletic venue.

CLS was appointed by project administrators Sports Lab to replace the existing eight-lane 400m track with a new IAAF Polytan non-porous sandwich system. The new all-weather track consists of a rubber mat placed onto the existing macadam sub-base with a polyurethane and red rubber crumb top surface. It includes a 110m home straight, mirrored on the back straight, and features augmented field facilities, also constructed by CLS.

John Miller, managing director at CLS Sports, says: “This project reinforces our reputation for excellence in the track-building industry. We’re privileged to be able to deliver a world-class sporting facility for Liverpool.”

Sport-kit keyword: CLS SPORTS

null,Exterity, a Scotland-based provider of IP video content and digital signage, has completed an installation at the Warner Stand at Lord’s Cricket Ground.

The installation forms part of a multi-year redevelopment plan, which is designed to maintain the ground’s reputation as the most prestigious in the world.

The Warner Stand, which was officially opened by the Duke of Edinburgh in May 2017, is a £25m ($33m) state-of-the-art stand that has been designed to deliver an enhanced viewing experience for members and guests alike. It includes a significant upgrade to both its catering and entertainment facilities.

Exterity’s AvediaStream HDCP Encoders, TVgateway and ArtioSign solutions were installed throughout the stand by systems integrator RTS.

AvediaStream HDCP Encoders securely deliver live-content from the BT Sports and Sky channels to screens across the Warner Stand, JP Morgan Media Centre and scorer’s box.

As Lord’s also records non-televised county matches, AvediaStream TVgateway was installed to capture and stream live camera feeds from an existing RF system.

The ArtioSign digital signage system is designed to create personalised and branded signage screens. It was installed in the bar and catering areas.

Colin Farquhar, CEO at Exterity, says: “We are delighted that our solutions are helping to create an immersive fan experience at a world-class sporting institution such as Lord’s.”

Farquhar adds: “Being equipped with the latest content protection solutions also ensures that they can meet the content industry’s stringent security requirements, something that will only increase in importance as the quality of video continues to improve.”

Sport-kit keyword: EXTERITY