title: Insulation and body temperature of prepubescent children wearing a thermal swimsuit during moderate-intensity water exercise.
abstract: This study investigated thermal swimsuits (TSS) effects on body temperature and thermal insulation of prepubescent children during moderate-intensity water exercise. Nine prepubescent children (11.0+/-0.7 yrs) were immersed in water (23 degrees C) and pedalled on an underwater cycle-ergometer for 30 min with TSS or normal swimsuits (NSS). The rectal temperature (Tre) was maintained slightly higher with TSS than with NSS. The total insulation (Itotal) was significantly higher with TSS. The DeltaTre, Deltamean body temperature (Tb), and tissue insulation (Itissue) in the NSS condition were correlated with % body fat, which indicated that the insulation layer of subjects with low body fat was thinner than that of obese subjects, and tended to decrease body temperature. Wearing TSS increased Itotal, thereby reducing heat loss from subjects' skin to the water. Consequently, subjects with TSS were able to maintain higher body temperatures. In addition, TSS is especially advantageous for subjects with low body fat to compensate for the smaller Itissue.
authors: Institute of Comprehensive Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan. waka_swim@hotmail.com
authors: Hitoshi
authors: H
authors: Wakabayashi
authors: Koichi
authors: K
authors: Kaneda
authors: Masashi
authors: M
authors: Okura
authors: Takeo
authors: T
authors: Nomura
mesh_terms: D001833:Body Temperature Regulation / Q000502:physiology*; D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D007101:Immersion; D008297:Male; D005082:Physical Exertion; D011481:Protective Clothing; D013550:Swimming / Q000502:physiology*