| Keywords |
Clothing habit; Thermoregulatory behavior; Workers; Summer season; Heat |
| Abstract |
This study aimed to investigate and analyze the clothing and thermoregulatory behaviors of indoor and outdoor workers during the summer. A survey methodology was employed in the methods section. The survey was distributed online to adults nationwide. A total of 386 valid responses were ultimately analyzed, comprising 177 male and 209 female respondents. Among them, 308 were indoors, and 78 were outdoor workers. Regarding thermoregulatory behaviors, more than half of respondents, regardless of sex or workplace, perceived the summer weather as extremely hot, based on their self-identified thermal tolerance. Indoor workers reported more responses for wearing dresses and skirts than outdoor workers. These results can be attributed to sex differences and the nature of outdoor work, which often involves more physical activity and requires clothing that can withstand heat and decreased mobility. Additionally, they were exposed to air-conditioned environments for more extended periods; therefore, they needed to wear extra clothing or a blanket as thermoregulatory behavior.
Outdoor workers often wear arm sleeves with a cooling function and long pants to mitigate the heat and protect themselves from UV rays. These findings provide a basis for developing summer clothing programs that promote health and safety for both indoor and outdoor workers. |