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2026 Vol.33, Issue 3 Preview Page

Research Article

Effects of Wearing an Air-ventilated Cooling Vest on the Alleviation of Heat Strain in Young and Older Adults under Hot and Humid Conditions

고온다습한 환경에서 공기순환식 냉각조끼 착용이 청년층과 고령층의 서열 부담 경감에 미치는 효과

Yujean Ghim1
,
Juhyun Moon1
,
Yoon Jeong Baek2
,
Joo-Young Lee123*
김 유진1
,
문 주현1
,
백 윤정2
,
이 주영123*
1Department of Fashion and Textiles, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
2Research Institute of Human Ecology, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
3Graphene Research Center for Convergence Technology, Suwon, Korea
1서울대학교 의류학과
2서울대학교 생활과학연구소
3차세대융합기술연구원
*Corresponding Author
30 June 2026. pp. 323-336
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Abstract

This study examined the effects of an air-ventilated vest on reducing heat strain in a hot and humid environment. Nine healthy young males (24.6 ± 3.6 y) and nine healthy older males (60.4 ± 3.6 y) completed two experimental conditions at 33°C and 65%RH: an air-ventilated vest fan-off (CON, Control) and fan-on (ACV, Air-Cooling Vest). A trial consisted of a rest (20-min), two exercise bouts (20-min) separated by a seated break (10-min), and recovery (20-min) (90-min in total). Rectal temperature and mean skin temperature were significantly lower for ACV than for CON in both age groups. Body heat storage was significantly lower for ACV than for CON in both age groups: 67.7 ± 8.8 (ACV) vs. 79.5 ± 7.5 W·m-2 (CON) in young males and 36.6 ± 12.7 vs. 55.4 ± 9.5 W·m-2 in older males (P < 0.05). Heart rate did not differ significantly between the two vest conditions for both young and older groups. Clothing microclimate temperature and humidity in the innermost and outer layers during several experimental periods were reduced for ACV, although humidity remained above the comfort range. Thermal sensation and humidity sensation for older males were improved for ACV. These findings suggest that wearing air-ventilated vests could reduce thermo-physiological and psychological heat strain during work for older adults as well as young adults in hot and humid environments.

키워드
Agricultural work
Fan-cooling vest
Heat stress
The elderly
Clothing microclimates
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Information
  • Publisher :The Korean Society of Living Environmental System
  • Publisher(Ko) :한국생활환경학회
  • Journal Title :Journal of The Korean Society of Living Environmental System
  • Journal Title(Ko) :한국생활환경학회
  • Volume : 33
  • No :3
  • Pages :323-336
  • Received Date : 2026-05-23
  • Revised Date : 2026-06-01
  • Accepted Date : 2026-06-05
  • DOI :https://doi.org/10.21086/ksles.2026.4.33.3.323
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