The Hohenstein Institute, Germany, has completed a study on the effect of comfortable uniforms and workwear on wearer performance, and developed testing technology to predict a fabric's or garment's effect on the wearer.

The study involved measuring reaction time, concentration levels and error rates for subjects wearing various kinds of apparel under conditions requiring long-term, intense concentration. Those wearing comfortable apparel were shown to perform significantly better on the tests.

Technology to predict how a fabric or garment affects the wearer involves mechanical skin sensory models that measure wicking, body temperature regulation, drying time, moisture and wind resistance, and next-to-skin feel; and also assesses a fabric's hypoallergenic attributes and its likelihood of irritating skin during intense use.

November/December 2011