Impact of wet underwear on thermoregulatory responses and thermal comfort in the cold.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the significance of wet underwear and to compare any influence of fibre-type material and textile construction of underwear on thermoregulatory responses and thermal comfort of humans during rest in the cold. Long-legged/long-sleeved underwear manufactured from 100% polypropylene in a 1-by-1 rib knit structure was tested dry and wet as part of a two-layer clothing system. In addition cotton (1-by-1 rib knit), wool (1-by-1 rib knit), polypropylene (fishnet), and a double-layer material manufactured from 47% wool and 53% polypropylene (interlock knit) was tested wet in the clothing system. In the wet condition 175 g of water was distributed in the underwear prior to the experiment. The test was done on eight men (T(a) = 10 degrees C, RH = 85%, V(a) < 0.1 m/s), and comprised a 60 min resting period. Skin temperature, rectal temperature, and weight loss were recorded during the test. Total changes in body and clothing weight were measured separately. Furthermore, subjective ratings on thermal comfort and sensation were collected. The tests demonstrated the significant cooling effect of wet underwear on thermoregulatory responses and thermal comfort. Further, the tests showed that textile construction of underwear in a two-layer clothing ensemble has an effect on the evaporation rate from clothing during rest in the cold resulting in a significant difference in mean skin temperature. The thickness of the underwear has more of an influence on the thermoregulatory responses and thermal comfort, than the types of fibres tested.

[1]  J. H. Andreen,et al.  Fabric Evaluations Based on Physiological Measurements of Comfort , 1953 .

[2]  J. Stolwijk,et al.  Skin Friction and Fabric Sensations in Neutral and Warm Environments , 1986 .

[3]  D. DuBois,et al.  A formula to estimate the approximate surface area if height and weight be known , 1989 .

[4]  P LAROSE,et al.  The effect of wind on the thermal resistance of clothing with special reference to the protection given by coverall fabrics of various permeabilities. , 1947, Canadian journal of research.

[5]  Charles W. Hock,et al.  . Thermal Properties of Moist Fabrics , 1944 .

[6]  Z. Vokac,et al.  Assessment and Analysis of the Bellows Ventilation of Clothing , 1973 .

[7]  Martha Molly Adler,et al.  Mechanisms of Transient Moisture Transport Between Fabrics , 1984 .

[8]  S. Olesen,et al.  Physiological comfort conditions at sixteen combinations of activity, clothing, air velocity and ambient temperature , 1972 .

[9]  H. Hensel.  Thermoreception and temperature regulation. , 1981, Monographs of the Physiological Society.

[10]  Ingvar Holmér,et al.  Heat Exchange and Thermal Insulation Compared in Woolen and Nylon Garments During Wear Trials , 1985 .

[11]  J. Wilson,et al.  Materials and clothing in health and disease , 1975, Medical History.

[12]  The Role of Textile Material in Clothing on Thermoregulatory Responses to Intermittent Exercise , 1988 .

[13]  H. Nilsson,et al.  Thermal function of a clothing ensemble during work: dependency on inner clothing layer fit. , 1989, Ergonomics.

[14]  D. Kerslake.  The stress of hot environments. , 1972, Monographs of the Physiological Society.

[15]  Z. Vokac,et al.  Physiological Responses and Thermal, Humidity, and Comfort Sensations in Wear Trials with Cotton and Polypropylene Vests , 1976 .