Effects of garment configuration in modest sportswear on thermoregulatory and perceptual responses during exercise in a warm–humid environment
Titis Wijayanto, Maya Farah Fathna, Orchida DianitaPurpose
This study aims to examine the effects of garment configuration in modest sportswear on thermophysiological and perceptual responses during exercise in warm–humid environments.
Design/methodology/approach
Ten healthy female students (age: 21.1 ± 1.9 years) completed two 30-min exercise in a controlled chamber (30 ± 0.5 °C and 70 ± 5% relative humidity), wearing two modest sportswear ensembles made of identical materials but differing in fit: tight-fit (TF) and regular-fit (RF), covering the entire body except the face and hands.
Findings
Tympanic temperature was significantly higher in the TF than in the RF during exercise (p = 0.01), accompanied by greater body heat storage (p = 0.02) and a higher physiological strain index (p = 0.01). Perceptual responses were also adversely affected by TF, with a higher thermal sensation and greater thermal discomfort reported throughout the exercise (p < 0.01).
Practical implications
Regular-fit modest sportswear may better facilitate heat dissipation and improve comfort in warm–humid conditions, highlighting garment configuration as a key design consideration for modest activewear.
Originality/value
This study provides experimental evidence that garment configuration, including fit-related air-gap distribution and head-covering design, influences thermophysiological strain and perceptual comfort in modest sportswear, emphasizing the importance of ventilation management beyond fabric selection.