A university has helped a leading sportswear brand develop its latest hi-tech athletics suit.

Researchers at Progressive Sports Technologies – a company based at Loughborough University – have worked with Speedo to design the "lightest, fastest and most comfortable" triathlon suit on the market.

The university team said they were inspired to create the LZR Racer Tri-Pro suit by the record-breaking LZR Racer swimsuit worn by gold-winning athletes Michael Phelps and Rebecca Adlington at last year's Beijing Olympics.

University researchers studied triathletes as they ran and cycled in the new suit in a controlled-climate chamber and measured its quick-drying properties.

Infrared skin temperature measurements were recorded, along with what the athletes had to say about its comfort.

Dr Tom Waller, head of Speedo's research and development arm, said: "Our performance-wear is underpinned by extensive research with world-leading experts.

"Progressive Sports Technologies has tested our LZR racer Tri-Pro suit to the extreme to ensure it performs exceptionally across all phases of the triathlon."

Progressive Sports Technologies is based at the university's Sports Technology Institute and works with many of the world's leading sports brands on cutting-edge research.

The company has recently developed a new fitness equipment range including an abdominal muscle training device, Ab-pump.