Physiological effects of outerwear moisture transfer rate during intermittent bicycle exercise

The effect of different water vapor permeable jackets on moisture management, subjective perceptions and physiological parameters during submaximal exercise in a cool environment

“…20,22 During exercise in warm environments, less-permeable apparel can impair thermoregulation and cause thermal stress, which is reflected in a rise in core temperature and might lead to a more pronounced sweat production. 8,9,19,20 Under the exercise and environmental conditions tested in this study, by contrast, no thermal stress was observed: average tympanic temperatures were constantly in an optimal range between 36.7℃ and 37℃ for all jackets and during the whole protocol. Our heart rate measurements also provided no indication of differences in physical effort between the jackets.…”

“…Hence, it may be speculated that clothing systems that are highly permeable to water vapor would only provide a significant physiological advantage over non- or less-permeable apparel during physical exercise in warmer environments. 8,9,15,19,20,22 Yet, wind- and waterproof outdoor sports jackets are rarely used during vigorous exercise activities in warm environments. Such conditions mostly apply to protective work wear.…”

“…Similar results were also obtained in studies comparing different forms of protective working garments. 16–18 Non- or less-permeable apparel was also found to provoke a steeper rise in core temperature during physical activity 8,9,19,20 and an associated greater loss of body mass due to sweating. 20–22…”

“…5 Wearing studies have shown that permeable constructions help to reduce moisture accumulations within the clothing system during and after exercise in various ambient conditions. [6][7][8][9] Therefore, permeable apparel helps to reduce skin wetness, which benefits subjective perceptions of comfort since drier skin is less sensitive to temperature differences and skin-textile friction. [10][11][12][13][14] Importantly, previous research has provided evidence that the benefits of WVP in clothing design are not limited to wearing comfort alone: by influencing the microclimate beneath jackets, WVP may also affect the degree of physical effort during exercise.…”

“…Various wearing studies have revealed that oxygen consumption, core temperature and sweat production differ depending on the choice of apparel: Domaszewska and Zimniewska 15 showed that a clothing ensemble featuring greater WVP resulted in significantly lower oxygen consumption during 10 min of running (12 km/h) at 21 C. Similar results were also obtained in studies comparing different forms of protective working garments. [16][17][18] Non-or lesspermeable apparel was also found to provoke a steeper rise in core temperature during physical activity 8,9,19,20 and an associated greater loss of body mass due to sweating. [20][21][22] While considerable efforts have been made to scrutinize the influence of WVP on wearing comfort and performance, the above-mentioned papers have only limited applicability to outdoor sports conditions: most studies were executed in warm or hot environments (temperatures > 19 C), in which wind-and waterproof outdoor jackets are rarely used during physical activity.…”