Dynamic changes in sweat rates and evaporation rates through clothing during hot exposure

Abstract

Dynamic changes in local sweat rates ( S w) and local evaporation rates from clothing ( E cl) have been observed during hot exposure. Four young male subjects wearing a cotton T-shirt and half shorts were exposed to 40 °C/50% for 1 h following exposure to 28 °C/50% for 30 min. Amount of water absorbed in clothing ( M sw), clothing surface temperatures ( T cl), local heat flow rates, skin temperatures, body weight, rectal temperature, S w and E cl were continuously measured. Upon exposure to the heat, decrease in heat gain to the skin was observed as opposed to increase in S w, E cl, M sw and heat gain to the clothing surface.