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A recently developed ergonomic PE kit aims to boost participation in sports among teenage girls, preventing them from quitting. A survey of 2,000 girls aged 14 to 16 revealed that 75% would find PE more enjoyable if their gear was more comfortable, and 70% said it would enhance their willingness to take part.
Known as the ‘Undropped Kit’, this prototype has been created by sportswear leader ASICS, together with Inclusive Sportswear and the mental health charity Mind. Its goal is to tackle common issues girls encounter with their current PE attire, such as limited options, uncomfortable materials, and unflattering designs. Other concerns include adaptability to weather changes, period worries, and challenges with sweat management and transparency.
ASICS asserts that the new kit is all about promoting comfort, offering variety, and boosting confidence through its three adaptable components, allowing girls to focus on the enjoyment of physical activities.
Students at Burnley High School, an institution identified by Sport England for having low PE participation rates, have already tested the new outfit.
The design emphasizes comfort by featuring sprinter shorts that can be transformed into a skort or looser shorts, based on individual preferences.
The kit is engineered to withstand any weather, featuring packable and waterproof qualities. It also includes a hideaway hood and a detachable outer layer to cope with changing weather conditions.
Taking into account different body temperatures, the kit comes with a removable inner liner that can be worn as a gilet, facilitating easy warm-up or cool-down.
The dark-coloured fabric helps hide potential leaks, with concealed zip pockets for tampons or valuables – addressing concerns about periods and storage.
A built-in emergency hair tie in the zip ensures that loose hair will never be a problem.
Issues with current kits being see-through and uncomfortable have also been tackled by using softer, sweat-wicking, darker fabrics. An elasticated bungee cord waist for a better fit also addresses the problem of baggy, shapeless kits.
Tess Howard, founder of Inclusive Sportswear and international hockey player for Team GB, said: “A PE kit is the most underrated reason girls drop out of PE, but the good news is we can fix it – and fast. Inclusive Sportswear is built to solve this issue by helping schools employ inclusive PE kit policy based on enabling choice and comfort.
“By listening to girls and evolving kit to support their needs, we can lift this barrier.”
Hayley Jarvis, head of physical activity at Mind, added: “We believe physical activity is a powerful protective factor for young people’s mental health.
“It’s deeply concerning to see so many teenage girls dropping out of PE in such big numbers. While the reasons are complex, simple changes like adapting PE kit could help girls feel more comfortable to stay active, giving them a lifelong tool to support their mental health.”
Parents and school staff are encouraged to join the Inclusive Sportswear Community Platform, gaining access to free expert training, toolkits and guidance developed with the Youth Sport Trust to create meaningful change and help more girls enjoy PE.
