Abstract
Stockings are considered to be excellent in retention of heat in cool weather. This study was to investigate the physiological effects of wearing support panty stocking when exposed to the cool environment from mild environment. Five healthy female college students wearing(ST) or not wearing(NST) support panty stocking, rested at 25$\pm$1$^{\circ}C$, 50$\pm$5% R.H. and were exposed to 18$\pm$1$^{\circ}C$, 50$\pm$5% R.H. for 90 minutes. The results obtained were as follows: Rectal Temperatures were lower in ST than in NST at both environments. Skin temperatures in ST were revealed higher at $25^{\circ}C$, but lower at 18$^{\circ}C$ than in NST. Heat production and total weight loss didn't show significant difference between ST and NST. Total thermal conductance from the body to the environment was higher in ST than in NST at 18$^{\circ}C$. It was suggested that wearing support panty stocking would keep the body warm in mild environment, but facilitate heat loss from the body in cool environment.