Developing Smart Shorts for University Footballers for Self-training Purposes

Abstract

This research evaluates the views of 15 female and 15 male footballers on a Taiwanese University team with regard to smart shorts for self-training use during the Covid-19 pandemic. All 30 athletes reported being able to adapt their play following visual self-training in the form of data received from the smart shorts. The study gathers feedback from the participants via two semi-structured interviews undertaken at the design preparation and garment fitting stages, and employs the Kawakita Jiro method to assess the findings.Firstly, the study investigates the footballer’s preferred smart wear design via interviews. Secondly, the smart shorts are developed. Thirdly, once the 30 participants have been fitted with, and have worn the shorts for self-training purposes, a second interview is conducted to collect the wearers’ feedback.The study identifies six elements of the participants’ smart short preferences: comfort, appearance, textile functionality, practicality, design, and electronic module and app functionality. In the pre-design interview, the majority of the users focus on the functionality of the textiles to be employed. Specifically, 16.7% express views regarding textile thickness. Meanwhile, in the garment evaluation step, all the participants highlight comfort as a requirement. In both interview stages, garment fit is the least important issue, and the functionality of the textile the most important. Additionally, the females are more concerned that the design is fashionable than the males. The participants highlighted the functionality of the electronic module and the app more in the pre-design stage than during the garment evaluation phase.

Keywords: Smart Shorts, Football Athletes, Consumer Preference.

DOI: 10.54941/ahfe1005051