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[Physiological evaluation of clothing made of new material for protection against the solar heat load].

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of clothing made of a new material that is, the polyester staple containing the ceramics and to reflect the solar heat load on physiological responses during rest, exercise (50% VO2max) and recovery on a cycle ergometer. Six young female subjects exposed their back to an artificial solar heat load of an intensity of 680 kcal/m2/h with an air temperature of 30 degrees C. The data were compared to those obtained by wearing clothing made of cotton material. The results were as follows. The cardiac output and oxygen consumption obtained at the end of recovery were increased by solar heat load when the subjects wore cotton material. However, these values showed no significant increase when the subjects wore solar heat reflecting clothing. Furthermore, the cardiac output at the end of submaximal work and recovery were higher for the cotton material compared to the heat reflecting clothing in the solar heat load. The increase of cardiac output for the cotton material may show the increase of skin blood flow for the body heat dissipation. Those results suggest that the solar heat reflecting clothing may decrease the physiological strain like a blood redistribution for the body heat dissipation during exercise in summer sunlight.

Adult↗

[Thermal insulation of clothing for seated and standing postures].

The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of body posture on thermal insulation of clothing. Clothing ensembles including skirts were mainly investigated. A new thermal manikin was developed for this study. This manikin was able to change her body posture without increasing or decreasing her surface area. By changing posture from standing to seated, the total thermal insulation of clothing (It) was decreased by around 1.4%. The surface thermal resistance at nude (Ia) was increased by 8%. As a result, the basic thermal insulation of clothing (Icl) was decreased by 14%. The main reason for the decrease of basic thermal insulation (Icl) when the posture of thermal manikin changes from standing to seated was the increase of Ia at nude. The total thermal insulation of clothing for each body posture (Iti), when standing and seated, were compared. The parts affected by the changed posture were abdomen, hip and thighs, and especially under the skirt of 61cm length, the knees were most affected.

Adult↗

[The regional skin temperature of hand under different clothing conditions].

The change in the regional skin temperature of hand was investigated under two different clothing conditions. The skin temperatures at six points on the palm, dorsum, and middle finger of the hand, respectively, were measured by using thermister thermometers simultaneously. The measurements were performed in a climate chamber conditioned at 20 degrees C and 65% R.H.. The subjects were 10 healthy females aged between 20 and 24 years. Five out of the 10 subjects wore light clothing (ca. 0.36 clo) and the others heavy clothing (ca. 0.75 clo). They first rested sitting on a chair for 30 min in the climate chamber before the onset of measurement. The results are as follows: 1) The skin temperature of the palm was higher than that of the other parts. Data were rather scattered in the case of the middle finger. 2) The skin temperature of the middle finger dropped to about 3 degrees C within 20 min after the start of measurement. 3) The skin temperature of the middle finger was affected by the clothing condition. We imagine that the skin temperature of the middle finger closely relates to arteriovenous anastomoses (AVA) located in the finger. Clothing probably plays an important role in controlling the blood flow of the AVA vessels, and consequently the skin temperature of the middle finger changes more sensitively than other parts of the hand.

Adult↗

Effects of skin surface temperature distribution of thermal manikin on clothing thermal insulation.

Effects of the distribution of skin surface temperature were investigated on thermal insulation of clothing for whole and each body part. The experiments were carried out with a thermal manikin in a climatic chamber. The two types of clothing ensemble were measured. The measurement with nude thermal manikin were also conducted. The three variations of skin temperature distribution were set with the thermal manikin. The values of the thermal insulation of nude skin surface (Ia), the total thermal insulation of clothing (It) and the basic thermal insulation of clothing (Icl) were measured with this thermal manikin under each skin temperature distribution. As a result, the values of Ia and It were not affected by skin temperature distributions of the range of typical experimental conditions. However, It is necessary to carefully use the values of the thermal insulation of clothing for the body parts, because these values were more influenced by the skin temperature distribution than those for the whole body.

Body Temperature Regulation↗

Japanese and Korean female students' evaluation of elderly people's clothing colors.

This study evaluated the clothing colors in the elderly. We took photos using the elderly as models, displayed them on a computer screen, and produced 75 colors of the clothing in the elderly using computer graphics. The 75 colors were evaluated by Japanese and Korean female students. We compared the ideal colors for and the colors actually worn by elderly people in Japan and Korea. Korean students tended to evaluate high value colors positively, while Japanese students tended to evaluate low value colors positively. When asked to choose the ideal clothing color for elderly people, the choices differed between the Korean student group and the Japanese student group. The images held concerning these colors also differed between the two groups. When selecting the ideal color to be worn by elderly people, Japanese students attached importance to taste, brilliance, functionality and comfort. On the other hand, Korean students attached importance to commonness and inactivity when selecting the ideal clothing color for elderly people. Thus, in the present study, the evaluation of the clothing colors for elderly people differed between Japanese and Korean students.

Aged↗

Effect of posture and clothing on scrotal temperature in fertile men.

Investigation of the effects of body position and clothing on the temperature of the scrotum has given discordant results. The aim of the present study was to evaluate these effects in 13 fertile male volunteers in successive positions each held for 15 minutes, either Supine, Standing, Seated with legs apart, and Seated with legs crossed (n = 8) or Standing, Seated with legs crossed, and Standing (n = 5), at first naked and then clothed. The Standing naked position was that in which scrotal temperature reached the lowest point. Clothing increased the scrotal temperature compared with the naked state, whatever the position. The Seated with legs crossed position had specific characteristics: in the naked state, it was thermogenic and increased scrotal temperature as much as clothing in the Supine or Standing positions; in the clothed state, the increase in temperature was less than expected, which could indicate that local mechanisms are involved. Moreover, the Seated with legs crossed position had a persisting effect on scrotal temperature in the next position. These results have both pathophysiological and epidemiological implications.

Adult↗

Clothing as a nonverbal communicator or sexual attitudes and behavior.

To test the hypotheses that people believe that certain kinds and styles of clothing are indicative of liberal sexual attitudes and behavior and these beliefs are correct, questionnaires were filled out by 259 subjects. These questionnaires asked each subject for the frequencies with which he wore various items and styles of clothing, his attitude toward premarital sexual relations, the number of persons with whom he had had sexual relations, the frequencies with which he believed sexually liberal men and women wore various items and styles of clothing, and the frequencies with which he felt sexually conservative men and women wore various items and styles of clothing. Correlations showed that, although subjects believed that a large number of items and styles of clothing are indicative of liberal sexual attitudes and behavior, only a few items and styles actually were associated with liberal sexual attitudes and reported behavior.

Attitude↗

[Bactericidal clothes protect against respiratory infections in the elderly patients].

In order to protect against infections in the elderly patients, bactericidal clothes were used. Ninety elderly patients were divided into two groups; the control group and the other group with bactericidal clothes. In period I neither group received particular treatment for three months and in period II only the treated group used bactericidal clothes for three months. The control group in period II used regular clothes throughout. Cause of fever (greater than 37 degrees C) extending more than 10 or 15 days were significantly lower in the treated group than in the control group. It was suggested that the bactericidal clothes reduce infections in elderly patients.

Aged↗

Influence of a new vapor protective clothing layer on physical work tolerance times at 40 degrees C.

The purpose of the present study was to examine the influence of a new vapor protective clothing on physical work performance in a hot environment (40 degrees C and 25% relative humidity). Eleven unacclimatized males (28 +/- 6 years, 79 +/- 8 kg, 1.76 +/- 0.06 m) were assigned to exercise at either a light intermittent (L) (N = 6), or heavy continuous (H) (N = 5) metabolic rate. Group L alternated between 15 min of walking on a treadmill at 1.11 m.s-1 with a 0% grade and 15 min of rest. Group H walked continuously at 1.33 m.s-1 with a 3% grade. Subjects were tested wearing three clothing configurations: full nuclear, biological and chemical (NBC) protection (TOPP High) with the combat clothing worn under the NBC garment (TH + CC); full NBC protection without combat clothing (TH - CC); the new vapor protective clothing together with the NBC gloves, boots, and respirator (NPC). WTT was the time-period until rectal temperature (Tre) reached 39.3 degrees C, heart rate reached 95% maximum, dizziness or nausea precluded further exercise, or 3 h had elapsed. For group L, WTT was similar for TH + CC (113 +/- 12 min) and TH - CC (139 +/- 18 min). WTT was significantly increased for NPC where all subjects completed the 3 h in the climatic chamber. The rate of increase for Tre was significantly reduced for NPC (0.3 +/- 0.1 degree C.h-1) compared with both TH + CC (0.9 +/- 0.1 degree C.h-1) and TH - CC (0.8 +/- 0.2 degree C.h-1).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Body Temperature↗

Research in intelligent biomedical clothing vs. realities in the European textile business.

In order to make intelligent biomedical clothing a market reality, a critical mass of scientific, technical and industrial capacities from various disciplines and industries must be successfully brought together. The textiles and clothing sector, i.e. the industry that transform natural or man-made fibres into yarns then with a myriad of processing options into complex tissues and finally into clothing, is undoubtedly a crucial element in such development. With Europe disposing of the world's most diverse, productive and innovative textiles and clothing industry, in addition to relevant expertise and resources in other scientific disciplines and industrial sectors, it could play a leading role in the advancement of the concept of intelligent biomedical clothing. In this process, a great number of challenges--firstly scientific and technical in nature--still need to be overcome and support from public funding programmes could constitute the necessary trigger for research and industrial efforts to be seriously undertaken. In view of the great benefits of such new products for the individual consumer, national health care systems and the society as a whole, a concerted effort in private-public partnership seems merited.

Biomedical Technology↗

Effect of dry-cleaned clothes on tetrachloroethylene levels in indoor air, personal air, and breath for residents of several New Jersey homes.

Several volatile organic compounds, including tetrachloroethylene, have been found to be nearly ubiquitous in residential indoor environments during previous TEAM studies. Eleven homes in New Jersey were monitored over three or five days to examine the effect of bringing freshly dry-cleaned clothes into the home on indoor air levels and personal exposures to tetrachloroethylene. Indoor air, personal air, and breath concentrations were measured over multiple 12-hrs periods before and after dry-cleaned clothes were introduced into nine of the homes. No dry-cleaned clothes were introduced into the two remaining homes. Outdoor air tetrachloroethylene concentrations were measured at six of the eleven homes. Indoor/outdoor concentration ratios and source strengths were calculated at the six homes with outdoor measurements. Elevated indoor air levels and human exposures to tetrachloroethylene were measured at seven of the nine homes with dry-cleaned clothes. Indoor air concentrations reached 300 micrograms/m3 in one home and elevated indoor levels persisted for at least 48 hrs in all seven homes. Indoor/outdoor tetrachloroethylene concentration ratios exceeded 100 for the four homes with both dry-cleaned clothes and outdoor measurements. Maximum source strengths ranged from 16 to 69 mg/hr in these homes and did not directly correspond to the number of dry-cleaned garments brought into the home. Breath levels of tetrachloroethylene increased two to six-fold for participants living in seven homes with increased indoor air levels. Indoor air, personal air, and breath tetrachloroethylene concentrations were significantly related (0.05 level) to the number of garments introduced divided by the home volume.

Air Pollutants↗

Recent trends in clothing physiology.

The need for high-performance protective clothing systems in space, polar, and underwater operations and in industrial environments has stimulated research in clothing physiology. New, sophisticated measurement methods, some of which are going to be international standards, have facilitated this research. Measurements with subjects have validated manikin data, but have also provided information about the dynamic character and the individual variability of thermal properties of clothing under conditions encountered in the field. Manikin measurements of the basic thermal properties of clothing (insulation and evaporative resistance) have to be corrected to apply to the user situation, due to the effects of wind, posture, body movement, and moisture absorption. Evaporative heat transfer is better defined and should be incorporated in heat exchange models and thermal indices. Important aspects of clothing physiology remain to be investigated.

Body Temperature Regulation↗

Dynamic moisture permeation through clothing.

Dynamic moisture permeation through clothing often occurs during thermal transience, causing an imbalance between evaporative heat loss from the skin (Esk) and that from the clothing surface (Ecl). A device was designed to observe Esk and Ecl simultaneously. It consists of two relative humidity sensors coupled with thermistors so that densities of water vapor at two points within the boundary layer can be calculated. The rate of local evaporation is then estimated from Fick's law of diffusion. Local evaporation rates from the skin and clothing surface at the chest, arm, and thigh were measured during exposure to controlled ambient temperatures varying from 20 degrees-40 degrees C. The subjects wore four different types of helicopter pilot suits: Nomex/Neoprene, Goretex, cotton ventile, and Nomex/Insulite. For the Goretex and cotton ventile suits, consisting of relatively permeable and hygroscopic fabrics, a sudden increase in Esk, exponential decay of Esk, and a gradual increase in Ecl were observed. These appear to be associated with, respectively, the onset of sweat secretion, moisture build-up within the clothing, and water gain in the fabric. Thus, the device may be useful for observing dynamic moisture permeation through clothing.

Adult↗

Reduced work tolerance associated with wearing protective clothing and respirators.

This study examined worker tolerance and physiological responses to two levels of work while subjects wore various types of protective clothing and respirators. Nine healthy men (mean age = 24.8 years, weight = 75.3 kg, max VO2 = 44.6 mL/kg/min), experienced with the use of respirators, each performed a randomized series of eight experimental tests, each test scheduled to last 180 min. Work was performed on a motor-driven treadmill at a set walking speed and elevation indicative of either 30% (low work intensity) or 60% (high work intensity) of maximum work capacity for each individual. Four protective clothing ensembles were examined: light work clothing (LIGHT), light work clothing with SCBA (SCBA), firefighter's turnout gear with SCBA (FF) and chemical protective clothing with SCBA (CHEM). Physiological measurements included heart rate, skin and rectal temperature, and minute ventilation. Measurements were obtained every 2.5 min until test termination (tolerance time). If less than 180 min, tolerance time was defined by subjective or objective signs of near maximal stress. Mean tolerance times at the low work intensity were 167, 130, 26 and 73 min, respectively, for the LIGHT, SCBA, FF and CHEM ensembles. At the high intensity, mean tolerance times were 91, 23, 4 and 13 min, respectively. At the low work intensity, heart rate with SCBA rose very slowly during the tests and remained approximately 15 beats/min higher than the heart rate for subjects wearing the LIGHT ensemble. In contrast, heart rate with the FF and CHEM ensembles rose sharply and did not approach steady-state values.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

Effect of heat and chemical protective clothing on cognitive performance.

This study examined the effects of heat on the sustained cognitive performance of sedentary soldiers clad in chemical protective clothing. There were 23 men trained for 2 weeks on selected military tasks. Then they performed the tasks for 7-h periods on 4 successive days (Days 1 and 3 = 21.1 degrees C, 35%rh, battle dress uniform; Day 2 = 12.8 degrees C, protective clothing; Day 4 = 32.8 degrees C, 61%rh, protective clothing). After 4-5 h in the heat wearing protective clothing, the cognitive performance of the group began to deteriorate markedly. By the end of 7 h of exposure to heat, increases in percent group error on investigator-paced tasks ranged from 17%-23% over control conditions. Virtually all of the decrements were due to increases in errors of omission. The productivity of the group on a self-paced task (map plotting) diminished by approximately 40% from control conditions after 6 h in the heat in protective clothing; accuracy of plotting was not markedly affected.

Adult↗

Immersion cooling: effect of clothing and skinfold thickness.

Accidental immersion often involves the threat of death due to hypothermia. Clothing to control heat loss in water is generally selected to minimize bulk while providing the necessary protection. While water temperature (Tw) and possible immersion time are often considered, another relevant variable is the insulation provided by subcutaneous fat. This paper describes the use of a sophisticated computer model to explore the interactions among skinfold thickness (6-20 mm mean weighted value), clothing insulation (0.06-0.23 clo, immersed), and Tw (0-20 degrees C), in producing critical hypothermia (arterial temperature less than or equal to 34 degrees C). Results indicate that subcutaneous fat strongly affects heat loss even with heavy clothing. Discussion includes examples of the possible use of skinfold data to improve specification of protective clothing for groups and allow special clothing prescription for individuals.

Adult↗

Thermal strain resulting from protective clothing of an armored vehicle crew in warm conditions.

The purpose of the study is to define a method of evaluation of physiological strain resulting from protective garments worn in warm conditions by the armored vehicle crew. A technique is developed evaluating evaporative transfer through clothing by continuous weighing of the active man (accuracy +/- 3/g). An index is defined (Iw) as the ratio of steady-state evaporating rate in clothed conditions to steady-state evaporation of nude subject in the same conditions of work and heat stress. The Iw index is significantly related to physiological strain determined by increased body heat content and reduced tolerance time. The results are compared to other previous findings concerning evaporative transfer through clothing and physiological strain indexes. The technique shows that evaporation through heavy clothing is not negligible. It is suggested that usual static measurements using physical models underestimate the evaporative heat transfer through clothing layers.

Body Temperature↗

The relationship of skin temperatures of clothed adults to ambient temperature in a warm environment.

In forty-one apyrexial adult male patients, who were clothed in light-weight cotton pyjamas, mean skin temperature was determined and, simultaneously, ambient temperature and the temperature of air space under clothing were measured. Both mean skin temperature and the temperature of the air space under clothing showed a linear increase with ambient temperature. Heat loss by vapourization of water is known to have a curvilinear relationship to ambient temperature. Application of the temperature relationships obtained in this study to the vapourization curve indicates that clothing shifts the point of sharp upward inflection of the curve to the left; and, if ambient temperature is to be employed to predict the amount of cutaneous water loss in clothed individuals, the extent of this shift must be determined. The data obtained in the present study has been applied to studies of evaporative water loss in Lagos.

Adult↗