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• Proposed a cooling unit with an anisotropic encapsulation structure for a phase change cooling garment. • The optimal cooling performance is achieved with a phase change material thickness of 8 mm, a slow-release heat absorption layer of 3 mm, and a spacing of 5 cm between the cooling units. • The novel phase change cooling garment is capable of supporting electricians in high-temperature environments (38 °C) for up to 2 h. • It can improve thermal comfort and safety for electricians in extreme heat conditions through advanced garment design. • Potential applications extend to various industries requiring heat-stress mitigation for workers. To mitigate the effects of heat stress on electricians during outdoor activities such as inspection, circuit repair, and daily maintenance in high-temperature environments, a novel design for a portable, efficient, and ergonomic phase change cooling garment is presented. First, the optimal phase change material is selected considering economic and environmental factors. Then, based on the heat balance equation of the human body and Fourier's law, the required phase change material mass and the optimal thickness of the retarded heat-absorbing layer are obtained and verified by numerical simulations and experiments. The results indicate that in a high-temperature environment of 38 °C for 2 h, electricians require 2.39 kg of phase change material. To meet the protective duration requirements of electricians' daily tasks, the optimal thickness of the phase change material is 8 mm, and the optimal thickness of the slow-release heat absorption layer is 3 mm. The results of this study have significant implications for the safety and protection of electricians in high-temperature environments. It aims to provide theoretical guidance for the design and innovation of personal cooling garments for electricians. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the effects of mild evaporative cooling applied to the torso, before or during running in the heat. Nine male participants performed three trials: control-no cooling ( CTR), pre-exercise cooling ( PRE-COOL), and during-exercise cooling ( COOL). Trials consisted of 10-min neutral exposure and 50-min heat exposure (30 °C; 44% humidity), during which a 30-min running protocol (70% VO2max) was performed. An evaporative cooling t-shirt was worn before the heat exposure ( PRE-COOL) or 15 min after the exercise was started ( COOL). PRE-COOL significantly lowered local skin temperature ( Tsk) (up to −5.3 ± 0.3 °C) ( P < 0.001), mean Tsk (up to −2 ± 0.1 °C) ( P < 0.001), sweat losses (−143 ± 40 g) ( P = 0.002), and improved thermal comfort ( P = 0.001). COOL suddenly lowered local Tsk (up to −3.8 ± 0.2 °C) ( P < 0.001), mean Tsk (up to −1 ± 0.1 °C) ( P < 0.001), heart rate (up to −11 ± 2 bpm) ( P = 0.03), perceived exertion ( P = 0.001), and improved thermal comfort ( P = 0.001). We conclude that the mild evaporative cooling provided significant thermoregulatory benefits during exercise in the heat. However, the timing of application was critical in inducing different thermoregulatory responses. These findings provide novel insights on the thermoregulatory role of Tsk during exercise in the heat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose. This research investigates the objective and subjective effects of wearing the Rehband® cooling garment.Method. A multi-centre, randomized crossover study was conducted regarding 43 heat-sensitive persons with multiple sclerosis (MS), comparing active treatment with placebo. Subjects were tested immediately before and after intervention. Ten- (10TW) and 30-metre timed walk (30TW), oral temperature, spasticity, standing balance and timed up and go (TUG) and nine-hole peg test (NHPT) performance were measured. A study-specific questionnaire was used to evaluate subjective experiences.Results. Active treatment produced statistically significant objective improvement in 10TW, 30TW, one-legged stance, tandem stance (right) and TUG; statistically significant subjective improvement was also found in fatigue, spasticity, weakness, balance, gait, transfers, ability to think clearly and time to recover. The coherence between the objective and subjective results indicates clinical relevance from the subjects' perspective. There were no statistically significant differences between treatments in terms of oral temperature, spasticity (measured by the modified Ashworth scale), tandem stance (left), step test or NHPT, or subjective signs such as difficulty in dressing, dysarthria or pain.Conclusions. Active cooling with a Rehband® vest is likely to have a positive effect on everyday life in heat-sensitive persons with MS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]