PRESS RELEASE: One Percent Better: The Science Behind Heated Athletic Wear
From Olympic pools to weekend training sessions, athletes are discovering that staying warm can deliver the crucial 1% performance improvement that separates podium finishes from personal disappointment.
Recent research from the University of Canberra validates what many athletes suspected: maintaining body temperature during competition transitions significantly improves performance. Dr. Courtney McGowan’s study of 16 competitive swimmers found that heated tracksuit jackets combined with activation exercises improved 100m freestyle times by 1.05% by preventing the typical drop in core body temperature during the 30-minute wait between warm-up and race.
“We’ve seen 200% growth in athletes using battery-heated clothing to gain competitive advantage,” says Scott Weekes, Manager at Zarkie. The concept resonates with a generation familiar with marginal gains theory, popularized by British cycling’s Dave Brailsford and James Clear’s “Atomic Habits.”
The applications extend far beyond elite swimming pools. Weekend warriors are incorporating heated gear into training routines that were previously cut short by cold weather. Outdoor swimmers report using heated insoles allowing them to have warm feet before and after training so they can focus on technique rather than numb feet, while cyclists find heated glove liners maintain the dexterity needed for safe gear changes and braking.
Perhaps more surprising is the adoption in precision sports where steady hands are crucial. Long-distance shooters use heated vests to prevent muscle tension from cold, fly fishermen rely on heated gloves liners to maintain the delicate touch needed for casting, and paragliders wear heated base layers during long flights at altitude.
“It’s not just about comfort anymore,” explains Weekes. “These athletes understand that being cold creates physical tension, reduces fine motor control, and forces the body to divert energy from performance to temperature regulation.”
Whether you’re chasing personal records or simply want to train effectively through winter conditions, the science is clear: maintaining optimal body temperature isn’t luxury—it’s strategy. Discover how Zarkie Heated Clothing can deliver your marginal gain advantage.
https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/6149694/heated-jackets-help-swimmers/
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1440244015000948
Since 2012, Zarkie has been supplying high-quality heated clothing and motorcycle products to the Australian market. Operating from our base in Moorabbin, we focus on delivering products that meet or exceed expectations, prioritising reliability, performance, and long-term customer satisfaction. Our goal is to build lasting trust in the Zarkie brand. We believe in treating customers the way we’d want to be treated ourselves, offering ongoing support well beyond the sale. While we don’t aim to be the cheapest, we are committed to offering products that truly deliver, so much so that word of mouth has become the primary driver of our growth. At Zarkie, our reputation is built on quality, not compromise.
