Practicing outdoor sports is a routine enjoyed by many amateur athletes, but it is necessary to be careful with exposure to the sun to ensure that this attitude is healthy. In addition to skin burns, ultraviolet (UV) rays can, in the long run, cause premature aging, cancer, and eye problems, so it’s essential to protect yourself from them. This type of solar ray can reach the person not only by direct exposure to the sun but also by the reflection in the environment; that is, even in the shade, it can be reached.
In addition to sunscreens to apply to the skin, today, it is possible to count on the help of fabrics with SPF (sun protection factor) to ensure greater safety for exposure. All fabrics indeed offer some degree of blocking the sun’s rays, but some are chemically explicitly treated for this. The advantage of using this type of clothing is that even wet, the garment maintains its efficiency, so it guarantees more protection than using just the lotion, which can come off with sweat or water.
Clothes with UV protection do not differ much from the common ones, but in the composition of the fabric, the magic happens. The ingredient that makes these pieces so special is titanium dioxide, which is also found in lotion sunscreens. This chemical is applied directly to the fabric fiber, in polyamide, and through a chemical bath, in cotton.
To determine the protection factor, the composition of the threads, the fabric’s weft, the color, and the finish, among other characteristics, are taken into account. For more protection, prefer darker colors and tighter weaves. Clothing with UV protection will last longer and respond well if you look carefully at the manufacturer’s washing instructions. A tip is never to use bleach or keep your clothes still wet. Put it to dry before storing if you cannot wash it off right away.
Learn More About Horseback Riding
The perfect harmony of the ensemble, formed by rider or rider and horse, is one reason that makes equestrian competitions so special. Equestrianism also has other peculiarities: it is the only Olympic sport in which men and women compete together, and animals are present. There are 3 main events in equestrianism, both individually and in teams: dressage, CCE, and jumping. Learn a little more about each of them:
Training
In dressage, considered the most artistic proof of equestrianism, the rider or rider can move the horse quickly with subtle commands. Movements are performed within the 60 mx 20 m arena, and grades are based on accuracy.
jumps
In the showjumping, 8 to 12 obstacles are spread over the course from 700 m to 900 m, and the group must pass them in the shortest time possible. If an obstacle is knocked down, the horse falls, or the rider misses the course.
CCE
CCE is the acronym for Complete Riding Competition and combines, in the same event, the disciplines of jumping, dressage, and cross country. This modality was developed to test cavalry horses by the Europeans. In cross country, the set needs to overcome about 40 natural obstacles at speeds above 30 km/h.
