• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
• /
• v.2 no.3
• /
• pp.265-271
• /
• 2000

Heat stress results in fatigue, a decline in strength, alertness., and mental capacity. The problem is compounded when high humidity exists. To help relieve worker heat stress, many types of cooling units are marketed. While workers may experience some cooling, critical body core temperatures often continue to elevate. This study was designed to find the effects of three kinds of cooling vest with portable frozen gel strips on thermophysiological parameters and on temperature and humidity within clothing. The heart rate, rectal, and skin temperature as well as sweat rate and clothing microclimate were measured during 80 min in 5 healthy males. Inquiries were also made into the subjective rating thermal, humidity comfort, and fatigue sensations. The main findings in our experiments are as follows: (a) Physiological parameters such as rectal temperature was the lowest in garb A1, intermediate in garb A, and the highest in garb A2 throughout the experiment. And mean skin temperature was the lowest in garb A, intermediate in garb A1, and the highest in garb A2; (b) Temperature and humidity within clothing (back) were garb in Al, intermediate in garb A, and the highest in garb A2. But the temperature and humidity within clothing (chest) were garb in A, intermediate in garb A1, and the highest in garb A2; (c) Most participants (4 out of 5 persons) answered that they felt more comfortable and fatigueless in garb A1 than in garb A and A2. It is concluded that local cooling in garb A1 of the upper torso could physiological reduce the thermal strain in participants wearing cooling vest.