| Keywords |
Actual wearing condition; Clothing insulation; Elderly male and female; Winter clothing; Thermal manikin |
| Abstract |
This study was conducted to investigate the elderly’s actual wearing condition by clothing item and clothing thermal insulation in winter. Elderly males (N=111) and females (N=138) participated in this study. Based on actual wearing condition by clothing item, the representative winter ensembles of males and females outside and at home, respectively, were derived and then thermal insulation of those ensembles were measured by using a thermal manikin.
Among the upper items outside, the wearing rates of the padded coats were the highest in both males and females.
The wearing rates of singlet were higher in males compared to females both outside and at home, respectively (P<0.01).
The wearing rates of long-sleeved T-shirts and a vest were higher in females than those in males (P<0.01). The 82.6% and 57.2% of females wore brassieres outside and at home, respectively. As for the lower items, males and females wore boxer shorts and panties, respectively. More than 65% and 46% of males and females wore long-length underpants outside and at home, respectively, and there were no significant differences between gender. The wearing rate of hat was higher in males than that in females, while the wearing rate of muffler and gloves were higher in females (all, P<0.01). Thermal insulation of clothing ensembles in winter were 1.84 clo for male and 1.50 clo for female outside and 0.56 clo and 0.59 clo at home, respectively. These results showed that elderly males and females have different wearing behavior in winter. |