| Keywords |
Temperature inside clothing ; Capillary diameter ; Vasoconstriction ; Vasodilatation ; Physiological responses |
| Abstract |
This study was conducted to investigate effects of clothing microclimate on physiological responses, especially capillary diameter related to vasoconstriction and vasodilatation. Two male subjects participated in the investigation. Experimental conditions were the dressing lightly (CW), dressing comfortably (NW) and dressing heavily (HW) and type, weight or number of clothing were adjusted for them to feel cool (or cold), neutral and warm (or hot) at 15oC environment. Capillary diameter, skin and rectal temperature, etc. were measured. The results were as follows. Arterial, venous and loop diameter were decreased in CW and increased in HW and flow velocity in capillary was the fastest in HW (p<.05). Mean temperature inside clothing was the highest in HW and the lowest in CW (p<.05). These results indicate that vasoconstriction or vasodilatation can be visually measured by method of thermal stimulation using clothing microclimate, and clothing microclimate is an important factor affecting physiological responses. |