Microenvironment, sweat rate, cooling, and thermal stress in women exercising in Islamic clothing in warm and hot temperatures

Three studies examined the microenvironment, heat stress, sweat rate, cooling response and psychological factors associated with wearing Islamic athletic clothing (IC) in various ambient environments. A detailed review of the literature addressing practical considerations of athletic clothing while exercising in the heat provided the foundation for the subsequent two studies. Eight physically active women completed 3 bouts of intermittent exercise with IC in order to examine the adjustment between the microenvironment temperature underneath the clothing compared to various ambient environments (22°C, 30°C, 40°C WBGT). The adjustment between the microenvironment and ambient environment for IC yielded a difference of 7°C, 5°C, and 1°C WBGT in a various ambient environments of 22°C, 30°C, and 40°C WBGT. Additionally, heat stress, HR, sweat rate, micro-environment temperature and humidity, and comfort with IC were analyzed compared to a traditional soccer uniform (SC, shorts and short-sleeved shirt) at 30°C. The study also examined the cooling response after exercise along with acute RPE (A-RPE), session RPE (S-RPE) and comfort during exercise and recovery. Repeated measures ANOVA revealed significantly greater micro-environment temperature (p = 0.02) (IC 33.3 ± 3.2°C, SC 32.0 ± 2.8°C) and relative humidity (p = 0.04) (IC 48.4 ± 8.1%, SC 42.9 ± 7.9%) in IC compared to SC during the exercise trial but no difference in the 40-min recovery period for micro-environment temperature (p = 0.25) or humidity (p = 0.18). No significant difference (p > 0.05) was shown for rectal temperature (Trec) (IC 38.2 ± 0.4, SC 38.2 ± 0.3), HR (IC 154 ± 28, SC 151 ± 26) or A-RPE (IC 4.7 ± 2.1, SC 3.8 ± 1.7) during the exercise trial or recovery period. Results from a paired t-test revealed a significantly greater (p ≤ 0.05) S-RPE (IC 5.8 ± 1.2, SC 4.3 ± 1.9), sweat rate (IC 1.07 ± 0.25L, SC 0.87 ± 0.3L) and greater psychological discomfort during the exercise and recovery period for the IC. These studies indicate that the microenvironment adjustment in IC decreased and as the ambient temperature increased. IC clothing micro-environment was hotter and more humid with significantly higher sweat rates compared to SC. When evaluating the environmental stress of athletic competitions, it is recommended, that when female Islamic clothing is worn, the environmental conditions be adjusted appropriately and stress associated with the clothing be considered based upon the ambient environment.