The aim of present study was to clarify the effects of water-proof finishing for cotton clothing on thermoregulatory responses during heat load. Nine female subjects were dressed in cotton shirt with water-proof finishing (FC) or without one (C). They immersed their lower-legs and foot in a water bath at a temperature raised from 35℃ to 41℃ for 70min at an ambient temperature of 28℃ and 50% relative humidity. With heat load, sweating occurred in FC- and C-clothed subjects, the amount of sweat remaining on cotton shirts was significantly smaller in FC than in C. The increment of skin blood flows on the chest and the forearm were significantly smaller in FC- than in C-clothed subjects, but not on the thigh. The rise of upper-arm and mean skin temperature were significantly suppressed in FC- compared with C-clothed subjects. There were no significant differences of rectal temperature or subjective voting between the both clothing conditions. These results suggest that the water-proof finishing for cotton clothing reduced the capacity of water absorbency, and it induced the soaking skin and suppressed the increase of skin blood flow.

DESCENTE SPORTS SCIENCE Vol.27/THE DESCENTE AND ISHIMOTO MEMORIAL FOUNDATION FOR THE PROMOTION SPORTS SCIENCE