title: The effect of two sock fabrics on perception and physiological parameters associated with blister incidence: a field study.
abstract: The goal of the present study was to investigate differences in perception and skin hydration at the foot of two sock fabrics with distinct moisture properties in a realistic military setting. Thirty-seven military recruits wore two different socks (PP: 99.6% polypropylene and 0.4% elastane, and BLEND: 50% Merino-wool, 33% polypropylene, and 17% polyamide), one on each foot. Measurements were carried out after a daily 6.5-km march on 4 days. Each participant rated temperature, dampness, friction, and comfort for each foot. On a daily selection of participants, skin hydration was measured on three sites of both feet using a corneometer, and moisture content of the socks was determined. BLEND was rated to be cooler, less damp, and more comfortable (P < 0.05). Two out of three skin sites were drier for BLEND than PP (P < 0.05). Moreover, BLEND stored 2.9 ± 0.3 times more moisture compared to PP. Thus, under the present conditions, socks such as BLEND are to be preferred over polypropylene socks.
authors.affiliation: Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Laboratory for Protection and Physiology, St. Gallen, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Cornelis P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Bogerd
authors.forename: Reto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Niedermann
authors.forename: Paul A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Brühwiler
authors.forename: René M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Rossi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001768:Blister / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D003020:Clothing / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D005528:Foot / Q000502:physiology*; D017276:Friction; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008889:Military Personnel; D009757:Nylons / Q000009:adverse effects; D060051:Occupational Injuries / Q000209:etiology*; D011126:Polypropylenes / Q000009:adverse effects; D013784:Textiles; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology*; D014935:Wool / Q000009:adverse effects; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D009757:Nylons; D011126:Polypropylenes