• International Journal of Human Ecology
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.1-9
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• 2015

This study investigated the effects of persimmon-dyed clothing materials upon thermophysiological responses and subjective comfort sensations during exercise and rest in a warm environment. Six healthy, untrained women participated in two separate testing sessions, with cotton materials dyed with astringent persimmon extract (DC) and undyed cotton materials (UDC). The physical characteristics associated with heat and moisture transfer were improved in DC; also, stiffness, anti-drapery stiffness and crispness in the primary hand values were higher in DC. The experimental protocol consisted of a 10-min rest, 15-min exercise on a treadmill (at ${7km{\cdot}h^{-1}}$) and 25-min recovery at $28{\pm}0.2^{\circ}C$ and $50{\pm}3%\;RH$. The results were as follows: When wearing DC rather than UDC, mean body temperature, heart rate, heat storage and body mass loss were significantly lower during the whole experimental period. Clothing microclimate temperature showed different profiles between the two clothing materials, being lower with DC than UDC during the first half of exercise and the second half of recovery. Clothing microclimate humidity was significantly lower with DC than UDC during the whole experimental period. When wearing UDC, subjects felt significantly warmer and less comfortable during exercise, and sensed greater humidity during exercise and recovery. These results suggest that eco-friendly clothing materials dyed with astringent persimmon extract can reduce exercise-induced heat load and improve subjective sensations when exercising and resting in a warm environment, due to greater heat dissipation from the body to the outside environment compared with undyed clothing materials.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.349-356
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• 2006

The purpose of this study was to compare the thermophysiological responses and subjective sensations of clothing materials with different water transfer property investigated in exercising and resting subjects at an ambient temperature of $20^{\circ}C$ and a relative humidity of 40%. Two kinds of clothing ensemble were tested: 100% cotton with highly water-absorbent but slowly dry properties(C) and 100% polyester with quickly water-absorbent and dry properties by four capillary channels(QADP). Seven apparently healthy male participants each undertook two series of experiments comprised 10-min of rest, 20-min of exercise with 70% of $VO_{2max}$ on a treadmill and 20-min of recovery. Mean skin temperature was significantly lower in QADP than in C during exercise and recovery. Clothing microclimate temperature was significantly lower in QADP during exercise and clothing surface temperature was also lower in QADP especially during recovery. Also, clothing surface humidity was significantly higher in QADP after the later half of exercise. The concentration of blood lactic acid tended to decrease to a lower level at recovery 3 minutes when wearing QADP rather than C clothing ensemble. Metabolic energy was marginally significantly less during the second half of exercise in QADP. Body mass loss tended to be greater in C than in QADP. The participants had better scores in thermal sensation, comfortable sensation and wetness in QADP during exercise and recovery. These results show that functional materials with quickly water-absorbent and dry properties can alleviate heat strain and induce more comfortable clothing microclimates and subjective sensations in the exercise-induced hyperthermia.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.591-599
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• 2017

It is well established that endurance performance is negatively affected by environmental heat stress. Numerous scientific investigations have attempted to improve performance in the heat with pre-cooling and per-cooling for endurance athletes. Some cooling strategies are more logistically challenging than others, and thus are often impractical for use in training or competition. The purpose of this study was to review the literature on the use of cooling interventions in the improvement of performance and recovery from exercise-induced heat stress. We undertook an examination that focused on the effects of pre-cooling and per-cooling on the improvement in endurance performance and the effects of post-exercise cooling on recovery. The benefits for pre-cooling and per-cooling strategies undertaken in the laboratory setting could be employed by athletes who compete in hot environmental conditions to improve performance. Most laboratory studies have shown improvements in endurance performance following pre-cooling and per-cooling, and in recovery following post-cooling. Cooling strategies such as cooling vest, neck cooling collar, menthol and ice slurry are practically relevant to sports field. Cooling interventions that can be applied frequently to reduce thermal strain prior to, during and directly after training appear to be the best effective strategy to improve performance and recovery. Future research is warranted to investigate the effectiveness of practical pre-cooling and per-cooling strategies in competition or field settings.