The Effect of Wearing the Hijab on Dry and Evaporative Heat Exchange During Moderate-intensity Exercise Performed in Hot-dry Environments

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are studying how wearing the hijab, a Muslim dress covering the head, neck, and chest while leaving the face uncovered, affects heat loss during exercise in young women. The study focuses on dry and evaporative heat exchange during moderate-intensity intermittent exercise performed in hot, dry conditions of 40°C and 15% relative humidity. This research explores whether the hijab impacts body temperature and comfort during physical activity. Participants will complete two exercise sessions in a controlled environment. First, they rest for 30 minutes in a comfortable setting wearing cotton clothing, then enter a chamber kept at 40°C. They perform two 30-minute bouts of moderate exercise, separated by a 15-minute rest and followed by a 60-minute recovery. One group wears a hijab over their cotton clothing during exercise, while the other group exercises without a hijab. During the study, participants will be monitored for various measures including evaporative and dry heat loss, total heat loss, body heat storage, core and skin temperatures, heart rate, and sensations such as perceived exertion, thermal comfort, and thirst. These assessments occur at the end of the 60-minute exercise period. The total involvement covers resting, exercise, rest breaks, and recovery periods to fully understand heat exchange under these conditions.

The Impact of Wearing the Hijab on Whole-body Heat Loss During Exercise-heat Stress