Abstract
To investigate the effects of clothing weights on subjective sensation and physiological responses of the human body under a temperature-controlled environment ($24.5^{\circ}C$), the clothing microclimate, including the temperature, humidity, and sweating rate, was measured from five young male volunteers in their 20's who wore clothing A (680 g) or clothing B (910 g). The temperature inside the clothing temperature on the breast was $28.7^{\circ}C$ in clothing A and $29.0^{\circ}C$ in clothing B. The temperature was lower than the standard clothing microclimate, and had a tendency to decrease over time. Regardless of clothing weight, the tympanic temperature was in the normal range. However, the mean skin temperature was significantly different between clothing A and B: $32.8^{\circ}C$ and $33.6^{\circ}C$, respectively. Skin temperatures of the forehead and abdomen were not affected by clothing weight, while skin temperatures of the breast, thigh, and leg were higher in clothing B than in A. There was no significant difference in the mean total sweating rates between clothing A and B. The average thermal, humid, and comfort sensations were 3.9, 4.2, and 1.1, respectively, in clothing A and 4.1, 4.3, and 1.2, respectively, in clothing B. None of these values were affected by clothing weight. As a result, we found that the mean skin temperature was significantly altered by clothing weight, but the tympanic temperature, sweating rate, and subjective sensation were not affected. In addition, the clothing climate was lower than the standard climate. Therefore, lighter and warmer materials are recommended for air-conditioning environments ($24.5^{\circ}C$), and the clothing covering area should be expanded.
