InsideOutdoor Magazine

Inside Outdoor | SUMMER 2018 72 Ingredients Vomaris Innovations of Tempe, Ariz., points to test results showing that compression garments infused with its V.Dox electric field (EF) gener- ating technology had a positive impact on endurance athletes as measured by decreased levels of physiologic stress during endurance cycling and running workouts. The decrease was statistically significant for athletes when wearing V.Dox compression gar- ments versus not wearing them, said the company. The pilot study enrolled athletes in training for endurance com- petitions and followed them during a four-week training cycle to understand more about V.Dox Tech- nology’s potential to impact performance and recovery. Vomaris’s patented V.Dox technology utilizes a matrix of microcell batteries comprised of elemen- tal silver and elemental zinc embedded in fabric. When in direct contact with a conductive medium, chemical reactions occur involving the transfer of electrons from the zinc to the silver in a process known as oxidation-reduction or REDOX reaction, explained the com- pany. This generates an electric field on the fabric surface, which mimics the skin’s own physiologic EFs. A conductive medium is any solution that permits the flow of electrons. Due to the high concentration of naturally occur- ring salt ions in the human body, bodily fluids such as sweat are conductive media capable of activating the microcell batteries. Application of external EFs has been shown to reduce the inflammatory and immune response when used on intact skin, and wound dressings are an early application for Vomaris. The use of V.Dox Technology in compression gar- ments was potentially thought to have a parallel and positive impact, which is why the study was commissioned. The prospective non-randomized study enrolled 23 qualified endur- ance athletes (8 men and 15 women) between the ages of 21 and 60. Data was collected during 490 workouts and statistically analyzed by compar- ing athletes’ objective and subjective performance with and without the EF compression garments. Overall, when the V.Dox garments were worn compared to athletes’ reg- ular workout apparel, there were recorded quantitative reductions in measure- ments of physiologic stress including lowered heart rate, Training Stress Score [per hour], and Intensity Fac- tor. Reductions in physiologic stress were particularly pronounced and statistically significant in workouts lasting at least 45 minutes. In addition to the objective data, a majority of athletes wearing EF com- pression garments subjectively re- ported an improvement in energy level during workout and decreased sore- ness and muscle fatigue post-workout. Interestingly, 35 percent of trial ath- letes achieved a personal record dur- ing the study period in a race that in- cluded either Olympic distance or half Ironman triathlons or marathons. Vomaris is in the planning phases with a major athletic institution for an additional study and says its microcell batteries can be embedded onto a mul- titude of substrates. StudyShowsBenefitsof EF-Generating Compression Apparel manufacturers and their cus- tomers have never had more reasons to feel good about fill. This past spring, both Polartec and Primaloft unveiled synthetic insulations made from 100 per- cent post-consumer recycled materials. Utilizing a proprietary process in which recycled plastic bottle chips are recon- structed into the form of high-performance fibers, PrimaLoft has added offerings made entirely from post-consumer re- cycled (PCR) material to each of its insu- lation series: PrimaLoft Silver Insulation 100% PCR, PrimaLoft Black Insulation 100% PCR and PrimaLoft Gold Insulation Luxe with 100% PCR. Outdoor apparel brand Vaude will convert all products that were previously equipped with PrimaLoft Silver and Black Insulation to the 100% PCR versions by summer 2019. Additional brands featur- ing PrimaLoft 100% PCR technologies in products for summer and fall 2019 include Isborn, Maloja, O’Neill, Quicksilver, Ros- signol and Roxy, among others. Polartec, meanwhile, upgraded its Power Fill insulation with a version made from 100% PCR materials. Power Fill originally was introduced with 80 percent recycled content just one year ago and has reached the 100 percent milestone earlier than Polartec initially expected. Polartec Power Fill is made of proprietary hollow fibers that are bonded together in a way that reduces environmental impact, while simultaneously providing superior per- formance properties, says the company. The process results in a more stable layer, remov- ing the need for disposable scrims, stabilizing agents or carriers. Unnecessary scrims add weight and may not be made from recycled content. By eliminating the need for a scrim, Polartec Power Fill is warmer for its weight, reduces cold spots and aesthetic changes from migrating fibers, says Polartec. Throughout its entire offerings, Pol- artec says it has now upcycled more than one billion post-consumer plastic bottles into hundreds of fabric styles and plat- forms. Likewise, PrimaLoft says it has saved more than 84.7 million plastic bot- tles from landfills and transformed them into premium insulation technologies. How’s that for feel-good fill power? Vomaris’s moisture-activated microcell batteries are embedded in a substrate and when activated generate an electric field. Fill Powers to 100 Percent Recycled