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when running in particular, heel strike
is load bearing and has been
associated with changes in tissue cells
that cause local inflammation in the
foot and elsewhere. Increasing blood
flow during and post-exercise has
been shown to reduce both
inflammation and soreness in the feet
after prolonged exercise. Those of us
who have spent many years tramping
round trade shows have all too often
dreamt of just such a way to ease our
aching feet.
A clinical study, carried out by
research scientists affiliated to the
University
of
California-Irvine
Healthcare Center, found that the
material also has pain reducing
capabilities. In a double blind study
using US government approved
measuring techniques for trials of pain
relief medications, the degree of pain
relief reported by participants using
products enhanced with Celliant was
significantly greater that that reported
by those using placebo products.
HOW TO APPLY IT TO
FOOTWEAR?
It would appear, therefore, that
apparel containing Celliant fibres is
not only good for athletes but,
potentially, would benefit the rest of us
as well. But, how do you apply it to
footwear? Well, it is already partially
there in the form of socks.
Celliant can be combined with a
great variety of other fibres including
cotton, wool, polyester, nylon and
proprietary products such as Lycra.
The only proviso that Celliant parent
company Hologenix makes is that it
should comprise at least 42% of the
finished material in order for the user
to experience the benefits. The
company says that Facebook
testimonials report first time users as
saying that their feet and lower legs
‘feel better’ during and after exercise
when wearing Celliant socks. Now,
socks are worn in shoes and, if they
work, then logically linings do, too, as
Celliant does not have to be in direct
contact with the skin in order to be
effective.
It is actually made into filament and
spun yarns which allows it to be
incorporated into both circular and
warp knitted fabrics. The fact that
these in turn can be produced using
blends that contain hard wearing
fibres such as polyester and nylon
should avoid any problems of abrasion
or poor wear. In addition, beathability
and moisture dispersion should also
be good. As the light emitting minerals
are contained within the Celliant fibres
and are not merely a coating, they
cannot leach or wash out and will,
therefore, remain effective for the life
of the shoe. So, are we missing out on
something?
27
ARE WE MISSING OUT ON SOMETHING?
MARCH/APRIL 2012 | www.footwearbiz.com
Celliant fibres as observed in transmitted
(visible) light
Under broadband ultra violet rays, the
same fibres become flourescent
At 2,000x magnification the optically responsive particles in the Celliant fibre are easily seen. The left hand image is a cross section while
the right hand one is longitudinal.
Photon
– an elementary particle which is the
quantum of light and all other forms of
electromagnetic radiation.
Quantum
– the minimum amount of any
physical entity involved in any action between
two objects that causes an effect upon them.
Homeotherm
– having the ability to maintain
a stable core body temperature regardless of
external conditions.
TERMINOLOGY