The Quality of Sportswear for Primary School Girls in Light of Physiological Comfort Standards
Abstract
This study aims to evaluate the quality of sportswear for primary school girls in light of physiological comfort standards, assess the extent to which products available in the market comply with these standards, and identify the main problems encountered by students when wearing such garments. The study adopts a descriptive-analytical approach, with data collected through a questionnaire distributed to a sample of 143 mothers of primary school students in Jeddah. The findings indicate that sportswear for primary school girls achieves an acceptable level of physiological comfort, particularly in terms of freedom of movement, which recorded the highest agreement rate (86%), the highest mean score, and the greatest relative importance. In contrast, the fabric’s ability to absorb sweat was rated at a moderate level (35%), while the incidence of skin irritation was relatively low. The results also show no notable difficulties in wearing or removing the garments, along with a high level of ease in cleaning (74.1%). However, several shortcomings were identified, including rapid soiling and the appearance of pilling after repeated use, which may negatively affect overall comfort. Furthermore, the analysis revealed no statistically significant relationship between the level of comfort and variables such as the student’s age, grade level, or body mass index, suggesting that the intrinsic quality of the garment is the primary factor influencing comfort. The study recommends improving the quality of materials used in the production of children’s sportswear, implementing standardized testing procedures prior to market release, and encouraging further specialized research in this area to ensure enhanced comfort and functional performance.
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