Keely Hodgkinson Wins Athlos 800m in Nike Aerodynamic Suit
Speed and style were merged,
wrote British runner Keely Hodgkinson after winning the 800-meter event at the Athlos meet wearing a full-body black suit designed for speed. The garment quickly became a major talking point across the track and field community. Developed in partnership with Nike, the full-coverage suit features textured bumps across the fabric designed to reduce aerodynamic drag. It feels like I am not wearing anything, to be honest,
Hodgkinson told The Athletic after her victory. I have trained with it in the heat in South Africa, and it went fine.
Jakob Ingebrigtsen Tests Nike Sprint Suit Ahead of Winter Development
Middle-distance star Jakob Ingebrigtsen reveals he contributed to the development of the high-tech suit. The freshly minted 5000-meter European champion states he participated in testing the aerodynamic garment and plans to visit Nike’s European headquarters this winter for further trials ahead of the next track season.
I have been involved in testing it, and I think it is exciting,
Ingebrigtsen tells TV 2. He notes that aerodynamics remain a central focus in auto racing and cycling development, suggesting track and field athletes have untapped potential in minimizing wind resistance.
When you begin to push the body so much that it is a matter of small margins, a full-body suit with better aerodynamics can provide a small advantage,
Ingebrigtsen explains. Whether it is hundredths or tenths of a second, it can be decisive.
Ingebrigtsen confirms he is seriously considering wearing the suit during competitions next season. I am definitely considering using it. I have been fortunate enough to help develop it. It is about sharpening things so you get the best times,
he says.
Aerodynamic Science and Historical Precedent in Track Suits
Full-body athletic suits of this nature are a rarity in modern track and field competition. The last prominent instance occurred at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games, where Australian sprinter Cathy Freeman won gold in the 400-meter event wearing an iconic full-body suit.
Henrik Ingebrigtsen supports the new development, pointing to existing research demonstrating that human skin creates significant aerodynamic drag. At some point, we have to turn every stone to move forward,
he notes.
Knut Erik Teigen Giljarhus, research manager at NablaFlow and professor of sports aerodynamics at the University of Stavanger, endorses the adoption of aerodynamic apparel. He expresses surprise that the technology has not permeated athletics sooner, viewing it as a logical step forward for the sport.
Air resistance increases very much with speed,
Teigen Giljarhus explains. Compared to cycling and downhill skiing, it has less effect, but we know there is an effect.
The aerodynamic mechanism relies on surface texture to manipulate airflow around the athlete’s body. With the help of the textures in the suits, you can manipulate the air currents. That makes the wake behind smaller. It is a bit the same as a golf ball. It is not smooth, but rough,
Teigen Giljarhus says, predicting increased adoption across the sport.
Frequently Asked Questions About Athletic Aerodynamic Suits
How do aerodynamic track suits reduce air resistance?
The suits utilize specialized surface textures and aerodynamic bumps to manipulate airflow around the runner’s body. This textured surface reduces the trailing wake behind the athlete, functioning similarly to the dimples on a golf ball to minimize drag.
Which athletes helped develop the new Nike suit?
British 800-meter runner Keely Hodgkinson helped develop and test the suit in warmer climates like South Africa, while European 5000-meter champion Jakob Ingebrigtsen participated in testing and evaluation.
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