2016 Volume 67 Issue 12 Pages 682-691
The purpose of this study is to identify the link between optimum waistband comfort levels and age. By using a subject group of 124 healthy women between the ages of 19 and 87, the relationship between load tolerance at the waistband (y measured in mmHg) and age (x) can be expressed as (Formula a) y＝－0.287x＋32.37.
The relationship between waistband pressure at the waistband FS (front side) zone and self-allowable pressure at the waistline was evaluated using three different postures: standing, sitting and prone. Seven young women aged 21-22 years old were measured. In a standing posture selected as a measure of central tendency, the relationship between applied pressure (x measured in mmHg) and clothing pressure (y measured in hPa) can be expressed as (Formula b) y＝0.950x＋4.64. The relationship between pressure loading (X measured in gf/cm2) and clothing pressure (P) can be interpreted for both cuff-type waistbands (XC, PC) and elastic waistbands (XG, PG) as (Formula f) XC＝1.511XG－20.54. (XG) load tolerance at the elastic waistband was interrelated with age (x).
After converting Formula a using Formula c (1 mmHg＝1.36 gf/cm2, the relationship between age (x) and the waistband XC (y) can be expressed as (Formula g) XC＝－0.211x＋23.80. XC can combine Formula f and Formula g. We can call this (Formula h) XG＝－0.140x＋29.34. These results clearly show that optimum waistband load tolerances (pressure) decrease with age.
In conclusion, we can state that, for the most part, waistband pressure levels in ready-made clothes are too high for the elderly. Clothing manufacturers need to implement new designs that enable consumers to perform self-adjustments.
