KEY POINTS:
The good news is that a new high-tech sportswear that boosts an athlete's performance has arrived in New Zealand.
The bad news is that the All Blacks' opponents will be using it against them at the Rugby World Cup.
The IonX brand of "ionised energy fabric", developed in
the United States, reaches Kiwi sportswear retailers for the first time today, and is being described as "revolutionary".
Independent testing has found a special treatment in the fabric that reacts with sweat, creating a negative ion charge, increasing blood flow, oxygen delivered to the muscles, and average power output by 2.7 per cent, as well as speeding up recovery.
Professor Mike Caine, of the Sports Technology Institute at Britain's Loughborough University, said further study would show how to maximise the potential of the new technology.
"However it is already clear that the garments have the potential to make a valuable contribution to the performance of athletes during training and competition."
While a 2.7 per cent power increase may not sound like much, New Zealand product manager Richard Bryant said even part of a per cent was significant in the modern struggle to get an edge in sport.
Kiwi pro golfer Marcus Wheelhouse said he had noticed the garments giving him a quicker recovery after exercise.
"I have also started to wear it on course more now and feel that it is helping my concentration and ability to feel upbeat and energised throughout the day."
Rugby World Cup teams including Australia and Ireland will use the new garments through their sponsorship from Canterbury of New Zealand, which has bought product rights.
The All Blacks, sponsored by adidas, will miss out. Mr Bryant did not see it as disloyal to give the All Blacks' rivals an advantage.
"The thing is to give other players the ability to play at a higher level, but whether that is to the level of the All Blacks we will see."
"At the end of the day, there is no substitute for form and fitness."
Among other Kiwi athletes using the IonX garments will be top professional golfer Michael Campbell and teams in the Air New Zealand Cup rugby competition.
The benefits of the ionised charge go beyond sports. Mr Bryant admitted he had successfully used the garments to relieve a hangover.
How it works
* Ionisation is a natural process which occurs when atoms become positively or negatively charged, such as during electrical storms or near waterfalls.
* This process has been harnessed in the IonX brand of clothing by creating a negatively charged electromagnetic field in contact with the skin.
* The electromagnetic field improves the flow of oxygen-rich blood, which creates more energy in the muscles
