Physiological responses and psychological sensations in wearer trials with knitted sportswear.

Abstract

Abstract Preferences in next-to-skin sportswear (T-shirts) made from eight different types of fibre were studied by exposing seven men and one woman to periods of exercise (30min) and rest in two environmental conditions: hot (H: 32°C; relative humidity 45%) and cold (C: 14°C; relative humidity 32%). Air velocity was 0·25 m/s. At regular intervals during exercise, measurements were made of tympanic membrane (core) and skin temperatures, heart rate and energy expenditure. Body sweat loss and sweat absorption of the garments were also recorded. Every 10 min, psychological responses to 19 sensation descriptors (after Hollies et al. 1979) were noted on a scale from 1 (no sensation) to 5 (totally). The descriptors were subsequently placed in three groups termed thermal-wet, tactile and tactile-fit. Subjective preferences between the two garments tested in each trial were recorded after handling at the beginning of the trial, and again after wear at the end of the experiment. Skin and tympanic temperatures and ...