Does Infrared Clothing Really Improve Athletic Performance? The Science Says Yes
There's no shortage of athletic apparel making bold performance claims. Most of it is marketing. But what happens when the claims are backed by a controlled study of 200 athletes with measurable, peer-reviewed results?
That's exactly what Accapi did with the Health Power infrared training range — and the numbers are hard to argue with.
The Study: 200 Athletes, One Month, Three Tests
Accapi recruited 200 athletes of mixed disciplines, aged between 25 and 50, and put them through a structured training programme: three sessions per week for one month. Performance was measured across three standardised tests:
- Bench press and lat machine — to measure maximum strength and power output
- The Cooper Test — a scientifically validated endurance test measuring the distance covered in 12 minutes of running
Athletes trained wearing Accapi Health Power infrared garments throughout the study period. The results were measured against baseline performance recorded before the intervention.
The Results
After one month of training in Accapi Health Power garments, athletes showed the following measured improvements:
- +6% Maximum Power — increase in maximum power output measured via push/pull strength tests
- +9% Faster Recovery During Activity — increased capacity to sustain high-intensity workouts
- +11% More Endurance — increased aerobic capacity as measured by the Cooper Test
These gains were attributed to improved capillarization and muscle metabolism — driven by the infrared fiber technology woven into every Health Power garment — resulting in better muscle oxygenation and a more effective recovery response during and between efforts.
What is the Cooper Test?
The Cooper Test is one of the most widely used and respected measures of aerobic endurance in sports science. Developed by Dr. Kenneth Cooper in 1968, it measures the distance a person can cover in 12 minutes of running. The result is used to calculate VO2 max — the maximum rate at which the body can consume oxygen during exercise — which is one of the most reliable predictors of athletic endurance performance.
An 11% improvement in Cooper Test results is a meaningful, real-world gain — not a marginal statistical variation. For a recreational runner covering 2,000 metres in 12 minutes, that's an additional 220 metres. For a competitive athlete, it represents a significant step up in aerobic capacity.
How Does Infrared Fiber Improve Performance?
The performance gains in the study are explained by the combination of three technologies built into every Health Power garment:
1. Accapi FIR Infrared Fiber
Accapi's infrared fiber absorbs your body's natural thermal energy and reflects it back as Far Infrared radiation between 5 and 20 microns. This continuous process improves blood circulation and increases muscle oxygenation — helping muscles work more efficiently, produce more power, and recover faster between efforts. The faster your body clears lactic acid and restores oxygen to working muscles, the longer and harder you can train.
2. AEC Adaptive Ergonomic Compression
AEC compression increases capillary blood flow and venous return — delivering more oxygen to working muscles while removing metabolic waste more efficiently. But AEC goes further than standard compression: it also reduces muscle oscillation during exercise. Every time your foot hits the ground or a weight loads your muscles, those muscles vibrate. That vibration costs energy and contributes to fatigue and DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness). AEC minimises it — meaning less energy wasted, less soreness after training, and more output per session.
3. Dual Layer Moisture Management
Health Power garments use a seamless dual layer construction — a wicking inner layer that pulls moisture away from the skin, and a performance outer layer that disperses it. Staying dry during training isn't just about comfort. Overheating and excessive moisture retention both impair performance by raising core temperature and increasing perceived effort. Effective moisture management keeps you cooler, drier, and performing at a higher level for longer.
Who Is Health Power For?
The study used athletes of mixed disciplines — and that's exactly the point. Health Power is designed for anyone training at a high output level, regardless of their sport:
- Gym training and weight lifting — the +6% power gain and AEC muscle support are directly applicable to strength training
- Running and endurance sport — the +11% Cooper Test improvement speaks directly to runners, cyclists, and triathletes
- CrossFit and high-intensity training — the +9% recovery during activity means you can sustain higher intensity across more rounds
- Competitive sport — any sport where power, endurance, and recovery between efforts matter
The Bottom Line
Most performance apparel promises gains it can't prove. Accapi Health Power is different — the performance improvements are documented, the technology is scientifically understood, and the garments are built in Italy to exacting standards.
If you're training seriously and looking for a legitimate edge — not a placebo, not a marketing claim — Health Power is worth trying. The study ran for one month. That's all it took to see a measurable difference.
