Regional microclimate humidity of clothing during light work as a result of the interaction between local sweat production and ventilation

Abstract

Purpose -The aim of this study is to explore the influence of the clothing ventilation in three body regions on the humidity of the local clothing microclimates under five work-shirts immediately after the onset of sweating in light exercise. Design/methodology/approach -The clothing microclimate ventilations were measured at chest, back and upper arm using a manikin. Separate wear trials were performed to determine the sweat production and the humidity of the clothing microclimate at the same locations as where the ventilation was measured during light exercise. Findings -Every shirt shows the greatest value of ventilation index (VI) for the chest and the smallest one for the upper arm. The values of VI differ remarkably at the chest among the five shirts. Comfort sensation became gradually worse as the time passed after starting exercise. There was no significant difference among the clothing conditions in mean values of rectal temperature, local skin temperatures, microclimate temperatures, microclimate relative humidities and local sweat rates at three regions over 10 min after the onset of sweating. A relationship was observed between the ratio of the mean moisture concentration in the clothing microclimate to the mean sweat rate at the chest and the back and the VI. Originality/value -The results suggest that clothing ventilation should be measured in different body regions in response to sweat rates in corresponding regions.

Laboratory assessment of cold weather clothing

“…This method has been shown to be repeatable and accurate, if the tracer gas is distributed equally over the microclimate regions. Efforts are under way to measure this ventilation for different regions of the body separately (Ueda et al, 2006).…”

Effects of wind and clothing apertures on local clothing ventilation rates and thermal insulation

“…The local VR of the experimental jackets were consistent with the previous studies of similar garments. 13,22 Significant effects of garment size (p<0.001), fabric permeability (p<0.001), wind speed (p<0.001), garment apertures (p<0.001) and locations (p<0.001) were observed according to ANOVA analysis. The larger of the p value, the more significant effect on the local VR.…”

“…10,13,14 However, neither of the studies considered the effects of wind and garment apertures and the combined effects of them on local VR. In addition, the garment local thermal properties have also attracted some attention.…”

Effects of Clothing Material Dyed with Astringent Persimmon Extract upon Exercise-Induced Thermal Strain and Sensory Responses in a Warm Environment

“…In addition, Lotens and Havenith (1988) reported that a windproof jacket worn with an air space between it and the body induced considerable ventilation, the effects of which were indistinguishable from airpermeable clothing. Moreover, Ueda et al (2006) found that increased clothing ventilation soon after the onset of sweating had the advantage of keeping the wearer comfortable, by preventing an increase in skin moisture concentration. These results might explain the current observation that subjects felt less unpleasantly warm and more comfortable during exercise, and less humid both during exercise and recovery, when wearing DC rather than UDC clothing (See Figure 6).…”