Differential Effects of Cotton and Polyester Ensembles on Changes in Clothing Surface Temperature, Skin Temperature and Skin Blood Flow During Heat Load

The effects of individual sweating rates on thermophysiological responses during the decrease phase of clothing surface temperature (Tcs) with cotton (C) and polyester (P) clothed subjects were examined. Seven women subjects were exposed in a climatic chamber at ambient temperature of $27.2^{\circ}C$, relative humidity of 50%, and their lower-legs were immersed in a water bath at a temperature of $35-41^{\circ}C$ for 70 min. During water immersion, Tcs in C-clothed subject rose immediately after the onset of sweating and then Tcs fell gradually. In C-clothed subjects, Tcs decreased directly (p<0.05) in proportion to total sweating rate (TSR), however no significant correlation was observed in P-clothed subjects. The relationship between TSR and changes in mean skin temperature, and skin blood flow showed negative correlation when wearing C-clothing (p<0.05), however, no significant correlation when wearing P-clothing. Individual TSR was correlated with threshold rectal temperature for sweating onset (p<0.05) with C- and P-clothed subjects. The results showed that individual TSR had significant effects on not only Tcs but also on thermoregulatory responses during the Tcs decrease phase.