Effects of different types of clothing on circadian rhythms of core temperature and urinary catecholamines.

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of three different types of clothing on the circadian rhythms of core temperature and urinary catecholamines. One type of clothing consisted of long-sleeved shirts, full-length trousers, and socks (Type L, 1,042 g); the second type was of half-sleeved shirts and knee-length trousers (Type H, 747 g); the third type was of Type H during the daytime and Type L during night sleep (Type M). Six healthy females participated in this study where rectal temperature, skin temperatures, heart rate, and urinary catecholamines were continuously measured for 37.5 h at an ambient temperature of 23.8 +/- 0.2 degrees C and a relative humidity of 60 +/- 5%. The results were as follows: (1) The nocturnal minimum of rectal temperature decreased significantly in the sequence Type L < Type M < Type H clothing, and 27.2 and 12.4% of the circadian amplitude were influenced by type of clothing during the daytime and the nighttime, respectively. (2) The rise of skin temperatures in the extremities increased significantly more after the subjects retired for sleep with Type M or Type H clothing than with Type L. (3) Urinary catecholamines decreased more in the evening and increased more in the morning with Type H and Type M clothing than with Type L. These results show that the circadian rhythm of core temperature, especially the nocturnal minimum value, was influenced by the type of clothing worn not only during the nighttime, but also during the daytime.