To clarify the effects of light clothing pressure on thermoregulatory responses in clothed subjects during heat load, two experiments were carried out at an ambient temperature of 25℃ and 30% of relative humidity. In the experiment (expt) 1, seven female subjects immersed their lower-1egs in a water bath at a temperature raised from 34 to 41℃ during 120 min wearing experimental garments made of 100% cotton (C) with clothing pressure of 15mmHg (mean) or without clothing pressure. In expt 2, nine female subjects wearing experimental garments made of 100% polyester (P) performed the same experimental procedure. Skin temperature (Tsk), skin blood flow (SBF), clothing inside and surface temperatures and humidity, local sweat rate (LSR), rectal temperature (Tre), heart rate, blood pressure, subjective votes (thermal, comfort and humid sensations) were measured in each experimental condition.
　In expt 1, the increase in Tre was enhanced with clothing pressure of C garment. There was no significant difference between with or without clothing pressure on evaporative sweat loss. Changes in LSR and SBF were suppressed in chest and upperarm skin areas and were enhanced in thigh skin area with clothing pressure. In expt 2, the increase in Tre was suppressed, and the rise in SBF, LSR, Tsk and evaporative sweat loss was enhanced with clothing pressure. Above mentioned data clearly showed physiological thermal loads increased with clothing pressure in C garment, and decreased with clothing pressure in P garment. These suggest that the effects of light clothing pressure on thermoregulatory responses in clothed subjects during heat load depend on moisture absorbancy of wearing clothings.

DESCENTE SPORTS SCIENCE Vol.24/THE DESCENTE AND ISHIMOTO MEMORIAL FOUNDATION FOR THE PROMOTION SPORTS SCIENCE