44
L. D’Arcy et al.
fidgeting etc., [3] however, what remains unexplored as a contributor to NEAT, is the
influence of clothing on energy expenditure.
In the field of personal protective clothing, literature has evidenced that clothing
can increase metabolic energy consumption using multiple methods including
clothing weight [10, 11], clothing bulk [11, 12], multiple layers [13–15], high friction fabrics [16], fabric stiffness [11, 12] and thermal/insulative properties [17].
Increases of 10–20 % in energy expenditure are not uncommon [10]. However, the
contributions are limited regarding the application of these methods for purposefully
increasing metabolic activity. The metabolic influences of clothing are considered
design defects, given the field they are tested in. The drive for functional clothing
development targets decreasing metabolic energy consumption, making clothing less
resistance to movement [18].
The historical changes that have occurred in clothing norms are extreme. In
the 1880s, women’s clothing ensembles consisted of up to five layers, collectively
weighing approximately 4.4 kg, today a contemporary woman’s outfit averages at
two layers, weighing 1.1 kg [19]. The development of lightweight fabrics and surge
of athleisure trends have theoretically, reduced the energy demanded to move and
thus, the influence of clothing on metabolic energy consumption could very well be
at its lowest.
Resistance clothing has been adopted by athletes and exercise enthusiasts for
training and conditioning purposes. The clothing enhances the energetic efforts
required to perform physical activities during training and thus, the body builds
strength in ways that will allow it to be faster or stronger once the resistance is
removed [18]. Resistance is inflicted when an external force causes the skeletal
muscles to contract and therefore work harder to overcome a task [20]. By increasing
the wearable resistance, a person can achieve a range of performance-enhancing
benefits [21]. It has been evidenced that wearable resistance may be achieved by
various means including increasing aerodynamic drag [22, 23], weight resistance
[24] and stretch resistance [25].
Considering a high population of women are overweight [26], have intentions to
lose weight, yet experience multiple barriers to exercise [9], it proves worthwhile
exploring if women might be interested in clothing that increases the metabolic
energy cost required to perform everyday tasks and/or maximise exercise currently
undertaken.
2 Aim of the Study
The overall aim of the study was to investigate women’s approach to exercise and
diet and to explore the potential interest of functional clothing to increase metabolic
consumption.
L. D’Arcy et al.
fidgeting etc., [3] however, what remains unexplored as a contributor to NEAT, is the
influence of clothing on energy expenditure.
In the field of personal protective clothing, literature has evidenced that clothing
can increase metabolic energy consumption using multiple methods including
clothing weight [10, 11], clothing bulk [11, 12], multiple layers [13–15], high friction fabrics [16], fabric stiffness [11, 12] and thermal/insulative properties [17].
Increases of 10–20 % in energy expenditure are not uncommon [10]. However, the
contributions are limited regarding the application of these methods for purposefully
increasing metabolic activity. The metabolic influences of clothing are considered
design defects, given the field they are tested in. The drive for functional clothing
development targets decreasing metabolic energy consumption, making clothing less
resistance to movement [18].
The historical changes that have occurred in clothing norms are extreme. In
the 1880s, women’s clothing ensembles consisted of up to five layers, collectively
weighing approximately 4.4 kg, today a contemporary woman’s outfit averages at
two layers, weighing 1.1 kg [19]. The development of lightweight fabrics and surge
of athleisure trends have theoretically, reduced the energy demanded to move and
thus, the influence of clothing on metabolic energy consumption could very well be
at its lowest.
Resistance clothing has been adopted by athletes and exercise enthusiasts for
training and conditioning purposes. The clothing enhances the energetic efforts
required to perform physical activities during training and thus, the body builds
strength in ways that will allow it to be faster or stronger once the resistance is
removed [18]. Resistance is inflicted when an external force causes the skeletal
muscles to contract and therefore work harder to overcome a task [20]. By increasing
the wearable resistance, a person can achieve a range of performance-enhancing
benefits [21]. It has been evidenced that wearable resistance may be achieved by
various means including increasing aerodynamic drag [22, 23], weight resistance
[24] and stretch resistance [25].
Considering a high population of women are overweight [26], have intentions to
lose weight, yet experience multiple barriers to exercise [9], it proves worthwhile
exploring if women might be interested in clothing that increases the metabolic
energy cost required to perform everyday tasks and/or maximise exercise currently
undertaken.
2 Aim of the Study
The overall aim of the study was to investigate women’s approach to exercise and
diet and to explore the potential interest of functional clothing to increase metabolic
consumption.