Fire fighter coveralls: A study in functional apparel design

Working clothing, especially protective clothing, should not only provide protection but also comfort. One measure of clothing comfort is ease of movement. Ease of movement is perceived while the wearer is moving, and is influenced by the interaction between body motion and the clothing worn. Variations in garment design may restrict body movement in different ways.; The purpose of this study was to determine how different designs of protective coveralls restrict body movement, and to determine if relationships exist among different methods of measuring restriction to movement (i.e., joint range-of-motion).; The research design was a (design x method x subject) doubly repeated measures. The independent variables were two different designs of fire fighter coveralls a traditional coverall and a re-designed coverall) and three methods of measuring range-of-motion while the coveralls were worn (i.e., computer-aided-method, Leighton Flexometer{dollar}spcircler{dollar} and goniometer). The dependent variables were measurement of range-of-motion and responses to a subjective scale after completing an exercise protocol.; The re-designed coverall had stretch fabric in the upper shoulder blade level in the back, at the back waist area and in the crotch area as well as other design features to enhance wearer movement and subjective perceptions. Ten range-of-motion measurements were taken using a computer-aided method, a Leighton Flexometer{dollar}spcircler{dollar} and a goniometer. Each subject also completed an exercise protocol.; Results indicated that re-designed coveralls were significantly different from the traditional coveralls on seven range-of-motion measurements. The mean improvement in degree of angle of movement possible in the re-designed coveralls ranged from 2.6 degrees to 12.6 degrees.; The overall correlation coefficient between the computer-aided method and goniometer was most highly correlated (r = 0.748). The angle measurements using computer-aided method usually generated higher levels of angle measurements than that of the Leighton Flexometer{dollar}spcircler{dollar} and goniometer.; Subjects were able to discriminate between the two coverall designs for eleven adjective sets on the semantic differential scale.