NCT07174180

The Impact of Wearing the Hijab on Whole-body Heat Loss During Exercise-heat Stress

The Effect of Wearing the Hijab on Dry and Evaporative Heat Exchange During Moderate-intensity Exercise Performed in Hot-dry Environments

• Status: Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 12 (estimated)
• Sponsor: University of Ottawa · Academic / Other
• Sex: Female
• Age: 18 Years – 35 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

The hijab (headscarf and cloak) is a Muslim dress, which covers the head, neck and chest, and conceals the female hair, leaving the face uncovered. It is worn by Muslim women worldwide including young Muslim women engaging in sports and exercise. As with any clothing worn on the body, the hijab can impact heat dissipation during exercise, potentially leading to increased body temperature and discomfort, especially in warmer environments. However, the extent to which the hijab may restrict heat loss remains unclear. This study aims to assess dry and evaporative heat exchange in young women performing moderate-intensity intermittent exercise in dry heat conditions (40°C, 15% relative humidity).

Conditions

• Heat Stress
• Temperature Change, Body

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	Exercise-heat stress with no hijab	Participants perform exercise in the heat with no hijab
OTHER	Exercise-heat stress with a hijab	Participants perform exercise in the heat with a hijab

Timeline

• Start date: 2025-06-13
• Primary completion: 2025-10-31
• Completion: 2025-12-31
• First posted: 2025-09-15
• Last updated: 2025-09-15

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Canada