Kelly Slater will be testing a new innovative wetsuit at the Pipeline Masters. The 11-time world surfing champion is going to hit the water with Quiksilver's Xplosive.
The surf brand's Research & Development team has been working with leading sports physiotherapist Malcolm Browne to create a wetsuit that assists "explosive" movements, reacts to changes in position and aids control of major muscles - an important factor in reducing injury.
"The power lines have been designed to mimic the naturally-occurring stretch reflexes within the body," says Browne.
"By adding these lines to the already established reflexes we can amplify the body response of action and reaction. This allows the athlete to move smoothly through all actions which are required by their sport but in a highly energized way. The athlete's awareness of their body is both complemented and enhanced by the suit."
The Xplosive wetsuit features anatomically placed panels/bands with a rubber band designed to exaggerate the body's response for action with corresponding recoil to bring the body back to its normal position with technology to assist amplified explosive movements.
The athlete's awareness of their body is both complemented and enhanced by the suit. The quicker the body acts in a sporting sense the quicker the suit will react to that change in position.
The wetsuit aids the control of major muscles during explosive actions and also allows for smooth movement. This is highly important in injury prevention.
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