The present study was designed to examine the effects of daily clothing habits on thermoregulatory function influencing thermal adaptability, habitual outdoor activity and motor ability in children, and two groups of children being in the habit of clothing lightly (abbr. LC group) and normally (NC group) were compared. To confirm further the effects of lightly dressing, children of NC group had been guided to decrease the clothing weight throughout a year. The monthly rate of cold contraction was lower in LC group than in NC group. The time of outdoor activity was longer and motor ability was higher in LC group than in NC group. The thermoregulatory function of LC group appeared to be improved, compared to NC group. These results were supported by the one-year instruction in light dressing. The present results suggested that lightly dressing in daily life is contributive to improvements in thermoregulation and prolongation of the time of outdoor activity available to increases of motor ability.

DESCENTE SPORTS SCIENCE Vol.2/THE DESCENTE AND ISHIMOTO MEMORIAL FOUNDATION FOR THE PROMOTION SPORTS SCIENCE