Hijab for Heat Stress During Exercise

This trial aims to understand how wearing a hijab affects body temperature during exercise in hot conditions. Researchers seek to determine if the hijab impacts heat loss in a hot, dry environment. Participants will exercise both with and without the hijab to compare the effects. The trial seeks healthy young women who do not smoke and are physically active, but not engaged in endurance training.

As an unphased trial, this study allows participants to contribute to valuable research on cultural attire and exercise.

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

Research shows that wearing a hijab while exercising can hinder the body's cooling process, potentially raising body temperature and causing discomfort, especially in hot weather. Studies have examined various hijab materials, such as rayon and polyester, to assess their impact on the body's heat response. Selecting the right fabric for sports can enhance comfort when wearing a hijab in the heat. Although some discomfort may occur, no evidence suggests serious safety issues from wearing a hijab during exercise.¹²³⁴⁵

Researchers are excited about this trial because it explores how wearing a hijab affects heat stress during exercise. Current options for managing heat stress typically involve hydration, cooling methods, and clothing choices. This trial is unique because it examines whether wearing a hijab impacts the body's ability to handle heat during exercise compared to not wearing one. By understanding these differences, researchers hope to gain insights into optimizing exercise conditions for individuals who wear hijabs, potentially influencing guidelines for exercise attire in hot environments.

This trial will compare the effects of exercising with and without a hijab in hot conditions. Research has shown that wearing a hijab can affect how the body cools down during exercise. Studies have found that a hijab might increase body temperature by impacting heat dissipation. For instance, one study found that people sweat more when wearing a polyester hijab compared to not wearing one in a warm setting. Another study discovered that sportswear like the hijab can influence dehydration and body temperature control after exercise. Overall, these findings suggest that a hijab might make it harder for the body to cool down during exercise in hot conditions.¹³⁴⁶⁷