Swimming garments

Abstract

A swimming garment formed from a stretchable elasticated fabric, wherein the garment comprises at least one sensitivity zone in which the fabric thickness is less than the fabric thickness of the region of the garment surrounding the sensitivity zone. The sensitivity zones can give a heightened sensation in a specific position of the body, for example in the abdominals. The thinner fabric zone increases the sensation of water flow/temperature which in-turn leads to a proprioceptive response to activate the muscle group beneath the zone.

1 . A swimming garment formed from a stretchable elastic fabric,
 wherein the garment comprises a pair of sensitivity zones in which a thickness of the fabric is less than a thickness of the fabric of a surrounding region of the garment which completely surrounds and directly borders the pair of sensitivity zones,   wherein the each sensitivity zone is configured to extend to overlie upper abdominals and lower abdominals of a wearer, and the entirety of each sensitivity zone is formed on a front of the swimming garment covering a front of the wearer; and   wherein said pair of sensitivity zones are spaced apart on opposite sides of a mid-line of the garment.   
     
     
         2 . A swimming garment according to  claim 1 , wherein each sensitivity zone is formed from at least two layers of fabric. 
     
     
         3 . A swimming garment according to  claim 2 , wherein each sensitivity zone is formed with one or more fewer layers of fabric than the region of the garment surrounding the sensitivity zones. 
     
     
         4 . A swimming garment according to  claim 3 , wherein the region surrounding the sensitivity zones is formed from a double layer of fabric and each sensitivity zone has a single layer of fabric. 
     
     
         5 . A swimming garment according  claim 1  wherein, in use, the stretchable elastic fabric covers at least part of the wearer's thighs, hips and glutes, the garment including at least two tension bands that have a higher modulus of elasticity than adjacent regions of the stretchable elastic fabric so that, in use, the tension bands offer greater resistance to stretch than the adjacent regions;
 wherein a first one of said tension bands follows a path that extends along an outside of a left thigh region of the garment to a left hip region of the garment and inwardly from the left hip region across a left upper glute region of the garment towards a mid-line of the garment; and 
 a second one of said tension bands follows a path that extends along an outside of a right thigh region of the garment to a right hip region of the garment and inwardly from the right hip region across a right upper glute region of the garment towards the mid-line of the garment. 
 
     
     
         6 . The swimming garment according to  claim 5 , wherein:
 the path of the first tension band extends from the left upper glute region of the suit across a back of the suit and to a right rear shoulder region of the suit; and   the path of the second tension band extends from the right upper glute region of the suit across the back of the suit and to a left rear shoulder region of the garment;   wherein the first and second tension bands cross one another at the mid-line of the suit in a lower back region of the suit.   
     
     
         7 . The swimming garment according to  claim 6 , wherein the paths of the tension bands are such that when the garment is worn the first and second tension bands are configured to generally follow posterior oblique myofascial lines of the wearer. 
     
     
         8 . The swimming garment according to  claim 7 , wherein the tension bands comprise seams in the garment. 
     
     
         9 . The swimming garment according to  claim 8 , wherein the seams join separate panels of the stretchable elasticated fabric from which the garment is formed. 
     
     
         10 . The swimming garment according to  claim 9 , wherein the seams are stitched seams. 
     
     
         11 . The swimming garment according to  claim 9 , wherein the seams are bonded seams. 
     
     
         12 . The swimming garment according to  claim 1 , wherein, in use, the stretchable elastic fabric is also configured to cover at least part of the wearer's abdomen, chest and back.