A pathway to sports innovation through the stability performance of lightweight functionally graded tubular structures

Small-scale tubular structures have garnered considerable interest owing to their exceptional mechanical qualities, making them suitable for applications requiring lightweight and durable designs. This work examines the stability and buckling behavior of these structures via an integrated approach that merges beam theory with modified couple stress theory, yielding a more accurate comprehension of micro and nanoscale phenomena. The findings are particularly relevant to the sports industry, where advances in equipment and practices may considerably impact player performance and safety. This study looks at how these structures may improve the design of high-performance sports equipment, such as lightweight yet stable bicycle frames, ski poles, and gymnastic vaulting poles, by increasing their strength-to-weight ratio for better performance. The study emphasizes the potential applications in protective equipment and wearable technologies, where maintaining structural integrity is essential for ensuring longevity while preserving mobility. The comprehension of mechanical stability has progressed, leading to the development of a method for integrating advanced structural mechanics into sports engineering, thereby facilitating innovations that improve athletic performance and safety.