• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.250-260
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• 2020

The purpose of the present study was to explore the most effective body region and cooling temperature to alleviate heat strain of workers in hot environments. We developed liquid cooling hood, vest, sleeves and socks and applied the water temperatures of 10, 15, 20, and 25℃ through the liquid cooling garments in a hot and humid environment (33℃ air temperature and 70% RH air humidity). A healthy young male participated in a total of 16 experimental trials (four cooling garments × four cooling temperatures) with the following protocol: 10-min rest, 40-min exercise on a treadmill and 10-min recovery. The results showed that rectal temperature, mean skin temperature, and ratings of perceived exertion during exercise; heart rate and diastolic blood pressure during recovery; and total sweat rate were lower for the vest condition than other garment conditions(p < .05). However, there was no differences in mean skin temperature among the four cooling garments when we compared the values converted by covering area(%BSA). When we classified the results by cooling temperature, there were no consistent differences in thermoregulatory and cardiovascular responses among the four temperatures, but 25℃ water temperature was evaluated as being the most ineffective cooling temperature in terms of subjective responses. In conclusion, the results indicated that wearing cooling vest with < 20℃ cooling temperature can alleviate heat strain of workers in hot and humid environments. If the peripheral body regions are cooled with liquid cooling garments, larger cooling area with lower cooling temperature than 10℃ would be effective to reduce heat strain of workers. Further studies with a vaild number of subjects are required.

• International Journal of Human Ecology
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.87-99
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• 2011

Purpose- The purpose of this study was to compare the fit of two prototype liquid cooled vests using a 3D body scanner and accompanying software. The objectives of this study were to obtain quantitative measurements of ease values, and to use these data to evaluate the fit of two cooling vests in active positions and to develop methodological protocol to resolve alignment issues between the scans using software designed for the alignment of 3D objects. Design/methodology/approach- Garment treatments and body positions were two independent variables with three levels each. Quantitative dataset were dependent variables, and were manipulated in 3x3 factorial designs with repeated measures. Scan images from eight subjects were used and ease values were obtained to compare the fit. Two different types of analyses were conducted in order to compare the fit using t-test; those were radial mean distance value analysis and radial distance distribution rate analysis. Findings- Overall prototype II achieved a closer fit than prototype I with both analyses. These were consistent results with findings from a previous study that used a different approach for evaluation. Research limitations/implications- The main findings can be used as practical feedback for prototype modification/selection in the design process, making use of 3D body scanner as an evaluation tool. Originality/value- Methodological protocols that were devised to eliminate potential sources of errors can contribute to application of data from 3D body scanners.