• Fibers and Polymers
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.442-445
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• 2006

The purpose of this study was to compare the subjective fabric hand evaluation and wear comfort of PET treated by Ultraviolet and to evaluate the subjective results from the investigation of microclimate temperature. The subjective hand evaluation was performed by 20 subjects (age: 20-25) with 5-point scale questionnaires to investigate the change of PET knit fabrics treated for different times, specifically, 0, 30 and 90 minutes. The questionnaires were composite with 8 questions; roughness, smoothness, wetness, stiffness, coolness, touch, preference, and comfort. In order to evaluate sensations of wear comfort, we made garments with UV treated fabric and five female students were tested. They walked at the speed of 6.7 km/ hr for 15 minutes in an environment, which was controlled at $29^{\circ}C,\;75{\pm}5%$ RH. Before and after exercising, the microclimate under clothing and subjective wear comfort was measured. The results of subjective evaluation of fabric hand were that untreated and treated for 30 minutes PET were recognized as similar and have a good evaluation on comfort, preference, and touch. According to the result of wear comfort, clothing treated by UV for 90 minutes had the lowest value on the thermal and humidity sensations. In addition, the value of tactile and comfort sensation was the highest on the clothing treated by UV for 90 minutes. In the case of objective evaluation, PET treated for 90 minutes was the lowest on microclimate humidity. PET irradiated by UV for 90 minutes was more 'cool' in thermal sensation and more 'dry' in wet sensation. Accordingly, it was consistent with the result of subjective wear comfort.

• Korean Journal of Human Ecology
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.253-263
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• 2003

The purposes of this study were to find out an evaluation scale that could predict wear comfort and to investigate the effect of the skin-contacting fiber type on the subjective sensation and microclimate. Sensorial evaluation was basically followed by the Human Perception Analysis (HPA) interviewing 144 consumers. Sixteen female subjects were participated in the sleeve wear test with and without wearing vapor permeable water repellent outerwear. Experimental sleeves were constructed using the same double knit by turning inside out to control other material effects except the skin-contacting fiber type, hence each different side of double knit, cotton side and the cotton/polypropylene blend side, was next to skin in each trial of the experiment. As results, it was noted that the term representing a combined feeling of thermal and wetness sensation, and muggy appeared to be a powerful language to measure perceptual responses of human subject among five dimensions of evaluation. although the ordinary users did not use the term very often. As for the comfort properties of double knits, it seemed that subjects slightly more preferred polypropylene/cotton blend to cotton as the skin-contacting fiber type when they wore outerwear and their skin were covered with sweat, although the result was rot statistically significant and need to be confirmed under higher work load.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.210-220
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• 2023

Recently, smart wearable products, including electromyography (EMG) measurement devices and clothing, have been developed to monitor users' exercise levels, muscle activation, and muscle balance more effectively during fitness activities. However, technical and socioeconomic barriers, such as flexibility and durability, still pose challenges in terms of comfort, ease of wear, and wearability of smart clothing, which includes devices and circuits. To address these issues, this study developed a wearable EMG device integrated with clothing to collect valid EMG signals from desired muscles while maintaining comfort, functionality, and ease of wear. After deriving a combined structure that could stably position the wearable device within the clothing, a prototype was manufactured and evaluated for fit, compression, comfort, and exercise comfort test by ten participants (height = 176.2 cm, weight = 76.4 kg, chest circumference = 101.2 cm). The study found that the prototype had smaller circumferences around the chest, waist, and abdomen compared to commercial products, resulting in lower ratings for wearing comfort and ease of wear. However, the prototype received high ratings for fitting, pressure, and the exercise comfort test. Valid signals were obtained when the EMG device was combined to the prototype for the rectus femoris muscle, indicating stable positioning of the device during exercise.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.75-87
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• 2019

The purpose of the study was to suggest a cycle wear top jersey improved in mobility. The study developed a new cycle wear with improvement in dissatisfaction factors by planning design, pattern and the functionality of fabric. Considering the amount of sweat and the necessities of compression part, the basic material, the additional compression material, and the mesh material were arranged differently according to areas. The assessment of the developed cycle wear was composed of wearing comfort evaluation by female cyclist, photo analysis and garment pressure evaluation. The developed cycle wear was evaluated and compared with the current cycle wear. As a result of wearing comfort evaluation, the developed cycle wear was evaluated as better than the existing ones in all part, particularly in the areas of reflection tape and materials, partial pressure, pocket size, and prevention of loss. Photo analysis was in agreement with the appearance evaluation of the participants. As a result of garment pressure evaluation, the front neck part was more comfortable and the upper arm, abdomen, and waist area showed higher pressure, so it partially supported the body. This study has significant meaning for developing a new cycle wear top, protecting the body and improving the exercise effect.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.209-219
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• 2019

This study analyzed and compared wearer mobility for different types of clothing that also included the potential to develop firefighter station uniforms using range of motion (ROM) and electromyography (EMG). This study focused on a comparison of wearer mobility affected by different materials and shapes of the station uniforms worn under firefighter turnout gear. Japanese standard uniform (UNI), stretch-wear (ST), and compression-wear (CP) were used as station uniforms for the experiment. This study analyzed wearer movements and quantified ROM and EMG. In addition, the subjective evaluation of wearer mobility and comfort were assessed for comparisons. Nine healthy male students participated in the experiment. Wearer mobility was analyzed using ROM and EMG data obtained by measuring five motions; in addition, subjective evaluations were also obtained. As compared with the standard station uniform, ROM increased 6.8 % and 7.2 % due to stretch-wear and compression-wear. The benefits of wearing stretch material or compression material to improve muscle performance (such as reduced percent of maximum voluntary contraction) were not proven. Differences between materials and designs influenced subjective wearer comfort. In particular, the wearing of compression materials was shown best in terms of wearer comfort that may also allow greater wearer mobility.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.37 no.8
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• pp.1095-1106
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• 2013

This study evaluated the wear comfort properties of water-vapor-permeable (WVP) garments using a movable sweating thermal manikin. Manikin tests were performed in a climatic chamber (temperature T=20, $35{\pm}0.5^{\circ}C$ and relative humidity $H=50{\pm}10%$) using seven sportswear outfits (a long sleeve shirts and a long pants) made with seven different WVP fabrics. Physiological responses of wear trials could be correlated with measurement parameters of the thermal manikin experiment; subsequently, a regression model that represented a final comfort sensation could be obtained. The regression model developed in this work is based on thermal manikin measurements; consequently, it provides an independent comfort sensation level in a relatively short time at a low cost while maintaining the reproducibility of results. It translates into more actual choices for sportswear manufacturers and sportswear consumers.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.1107-1119
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• 2020

This study analyzed a subject's body reaction and subjective sensation when wearing a gait-assistive rehabilitation robot. The research method measured skin and clothing surface temperatures for 'seating-standing' and 'walking in place' exercises after wearing a gait-assistive rehabilitation robot. In addition, subjective sensation and satisfaction were evaluated on a 7-point Likert scale. The study results showed that the average skin temperature during exercise while wearing the gait-assistive rehabilitation robot was within a comfortable range. However, during the 'seating-standing' exercise, the skin temperature was slightly lowered. Additionally, the clothing surface temperature tended to be lower than the pre-exercise temperature after all exercises. The subjective sensation evaluation results showed that the wear comfort of the waist part was low during mobility/activity. In addition, an overall improvement in the wear comfort of the robot is necessary. The short-time movement of wearing and walking in the gait-assistive rehabilitation robot did not interfere with the thermal comfort of the body. However, the robot needs to be ergonomically improved in consideration of the long wearing time along with improved material that to satisfy overall wearing comfort.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.11 no.6
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• pp.947-952
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• 2009

The purpose of this study is to analyze skin wettedness($w$) used as the rate index of thermal comfort, and to evaluate the wear comfort of outdoorwear. Skin wettedness is widely used to express the degree of thermal comfort. If skin wettedness exceeds a certain threshold, the body feels damp and discomfort. An experiment which consisted of rest(30 min), exercise(30 min) and recovery(20 min) periods was administered in a climate chamber with 10 healthy male participants. Two kinds of outdoorwears made of 100% cotton fabrics (Control) and specially engineered fabrics having feature of quick sweat absorbency and high speed drying fabric (Functional) were evaluated in the experiment. The condition of climate chamber was controlled according to the thermal insulation of 4 kinds of experimental ensembles(E1~E4). Total sweat loss, sweat loss absorbed into clothing and skin temperature were measured. Skin wettedness was calculated from the ratio of evaporative rate to the maximal evaporative capacity. Skin wettedness of 'Functional' was lower than 'Control' in the 3 kinds of ensembles(E1, E2, E4) because the materials of 'Functional' were composed of quick sweat absorbency and high speed drying fabrics, water vapour permeability and waterproof fabrics.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.626-638
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• 2020

In this study, protective masks were designed in varying internal volume and analyzed in regards to wearing effect. Masks were measured by surface temperature and subjective wear evaluation. Four experimental masks were created with an increasing distance between the mask center line and nose in increments. The distances were set at 0.0 cm (M0), 2.0 cm (M2), 4.0 cm (M4), and 6.0 cm (M6). The area and volume of each experimental mask was measured and both measurements had a positive correlation with the set distances. Among the experimental masks, M2 was the most breathable. The heat between the face and the mask created by exhalation was able to escape from the mask and provided the highest comfort sensation when worn. Conversely, an internal volume that is too large would decrease its comfort because repetitive breathing deforms the appearance of the mask and adversely affects its fit. Therefore, creating and maintaining the optimal internal volume of the M2 mask is important to achieve maximum thermal sensation and ease of wear.

• Journal of Fashion Business
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.15-34
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• 2007

This study was designed to collect a precise information concerning to the preference and evaluations after usage of pregnant Korean woman for the maternity wear bysurvey and wear tests. Through the survey, 212 respondents were asked to answer what type of maternity wear they prefer and what requirements for maternity wear design are important. According to the results of survey, the mostly preferred maternity wear items were pants and one-piece dress. Korean customers for maternity wear usually pay more for the one-piece dress than other items and they also usually put on medium price pants and low-price blouse. Concerning to the purchase criteria, it may be said that design and movability, fit factors are the buying decision criteria of great weight for Korean pregnant women. Special function most desired was thermal insulation, followed by buffer action, electromagnetic shield and quickly water-absorbent and dry property. Preferred maternity wear design details were flat collar, slightly fitted waist and empire style, gather skirt, rubber band waist. Wear test was performed for two kinds of blouse (BL) and one-piece dress (OP), and threekinds of pants (PT), which have different design details respectively. According to the wear test for ready-to-wear maternity garments, the garment which considers well the characteristics of Korean pregnant women body shape earned much higher score no matter of brands or prices. Generally, high-priced national brands received an excellent evaluation in design aspect, but not satisfied with comfort to move.