An Ergonomic Design Process of the Functional Clothing for Yoga Sports

Abstract Reports attribute many physical, psychological and mental benefits to yoga sports. However, when it comes to actual research, yoga clothing has not attracted the same level of attention. The aim of this study, which involved a questionnaire survey, clothing development and clothing performance evaluation, is to propose an ergonomic design process for the design of yoga functional clothing. Results showed that textile material was rated as the most important factor for yoga clothing. The shoulder and the waist-belly regions were considered as the most important areas for yoga clothing. The newly designed clothing prototype was observed to subject significantly lower pressure to the waist under the forward bending pose (p<0.05), but with significantly higher pressure on the buttocks at the posture of the deep knee bending pose (p<0.05). It also resulted in a lower change rate of clothing vertical displacement, especially at the shoulder and waist regions. The newly designed prototype was rated with a significantly lower tightening sensation and pulling sensation during the deep knee bending posture (p<0.05). Results indicate that proper design of yoga clothing structure and selection of fabric material could reduce clothing deformation, pressure on the skin and improve subjective wearing sensations.