Sweat accumulation in a kendo ensemble during indoor summer training

Abstract

Abstract The total sweat rate, accumulated sweat amount and fluid intake whilst wearing a kendo (Japanese fencing) ensemble were determined in a total of 33 kendo players, in order to obtain basic data on heat stress. The experiments were done during a kendo club 2-h training session in a university gymnasium in summer. The total clothing weight was 1.75±0.20 kg for female subjects and 2.07±0.3 kg for male subjects, and the total protective gear weighed 4.60±0.47 kg for females and 4.68±0.42 kg for males. Thus, the total ensemble initially weighed 6.35±0.6 kg for females and 6.75±0.6 kg for males. There were no differences in the weight of protective gear between female and male subjects, which meant that the weight gave much more physical stress for female students. The mean total sweat loss for 2 h was 1.13±0.18 kg for females and 1.57±0.32 kg for males. However, the amount of fluid intake was not sufficient in all of the participants. Sweat accumulation in the ensemble was 0.31±0.09 kg for females and 0.58±0.23 kg for males. A significant relationship was found between the total sweat rate and non-evaporated sweat rate. The heavier clothing they wore, the more sweat accumulation there was in clothing. More than 80% of the accumulated sweat was absorbed in the clothing ensemble and the rest remained in the protective gear, especially the mask ( men ) and gloves ( kote ). Although the clothing ensemble in kendo is permeable, the large body area covered with clothing and the thick clothing materials could result in heat stress in the players, especially in a hot and humid environment.