Heat StressNCT07174180
The Impact of Wearing the Hijab on Whole-body Heat Loss During Exercise-heat Stress
A study testing Exercise-heat stress with no hijab and Exercise-heat stress with a hijab in people with Heat Stress and Temperature Change, Body, run by University of Ottawa at 1 site in Canada.
Trial 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. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 35 years, women onlyHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Heat Stress, Temperature Change, Body
- What is being tested?
- Exercise-heat stress with no hijab and Exercise-heat stress with a hijab
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 12 participants
- Where
- 1 siteCanada
- Study dates
- 13 Jun 2025to 31 Dec 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 35 years
- Women only
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- healthy young female (18-35 years)
- non smoking
- English or French speaking
- ability to provide informed consent
Who cannot join
- claustrophobia
- engaged in endurance training
- acute or chronic illness
- sedentary (not engaged in any form of physical activity)
- physical restriction limiting physical activity
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Canada1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
University of Ottawa
Ottawa, Ontario, K1N6N5
Glen P Kenny, PhD, 6135625800 ext. 4282, gkenny@uottawa.ca
About this study
Official title: The Effect of Wearing the Hijab on Dry and Evaporative Heat Exchange During Moderate-intensity Exercise Performed in Hot-dry Environments
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
- Being tested
- Exercise-heat stress with no hijab, Exercise-heat stress with a hijab
- Keywords
- Core temperature, Exercise, Females, Garment, Heat strain, Thermoregulation, Hot weather
- Medical subject headings
- Heat Stress Disorders, Body Temperature Changes, Motor Activity
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Exercise-heat stress with no hijabOther
Participants perform exercise in the heat with no hijab
Exercise-heat stress with a hijabOther
Participants perform exercise in the heat with a hijab
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| No hijab | Experimental | Participants rest in a thermoneutral resting condition for 30-min (baseline resting) while wearing a cotton t-shirt and shorts, after which they enter a chamber regulated at 40°C where they perform an intermittent exercise bout consisting of two, 30-min moderate-intensity exercise bouts (fixed rate of heat production of 200 W/m2), with each exercise bout separated by a 15 min rest break and a 60-min recovery following the second exercise bout. Receives: Other: Exercise-heat stress with no hijab |
| Hijab | Experimental | Participants rest in a thermoneutral resting condition for 30-min (baseline resting) while wearing a hijab over cotton t-shir and shorts, after which they enter a chamber regulated at 40°C where they perform an intermittent exercise bout consisting of two, 30-min moderate-intensity exercise bouts (fixed rate of heat production of 200 W/m2), with each exercise bout separated by a 15 min rest break and a 60-min recovery following the second exercise bout. Receives: Other: Exercise-heat stress with a hijab |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Evaporative heat loss at end exercise
Evaporative heat loss as assessed using a direct air calorimeter
Measured: End of the 60-min intermittent exercise bout
Dry heat loss at end exercise
Dry heat loss as assessed using a direct air calorimeter
Measured: End of the 60-min intermittent exercise bout
Total heat loss at end exercise
Total heat loss as assessed using a direct air calorimeter
Measured: End of the 60-min intermittent exercise bout
Body heat storage
Heat stored in the body for each of the exercise bouts
Measured: End of the 60-min intermittent exercise bout
Change in body heat content
Body heat content measured at the end of intermittent exercise
Measured: End of the 60-min intermittent exercise bout
Core temperature
Rectal temperature during final 5 minutes of each of the exercise bouts
Measured: End of the 60-min intermittent exercise bout
Mean skin temperature
Mean skin temperature during final 5 minutes of each of the exercise bouts
Measured: End of the 60-min intermittent exercise bout
Relative change in core temperature at end exercise
Relative increase in core temperature for each 30-minute exercise bout
Measured: End of the 60-min intermittent exercise bout
Relative change in mean skin temperature at end exercise
Relative change in mean skin temperature for each 30-minute exercise bout
Measured: End of the 60-min intermittent exercise bout
Heart rate
Heart rate during final 5 minutes of each of the exercise bouts
Measured: End of the 60-min intermittent exercise bout
Rating of perceived exertion
Perceived exertion assessed via a self-report questionnaire upon verbal prompting (scale is as follows: 6: indicating the participant is not exerting themselves at all with 20 indicating participant is exerting themselves maximally)
Measured: End of the 60-min intermittent exercise bout
Thermal sensation A
Thermal sensation assessed via a self-report questionnaire upon verbal prompting (scale is as follows: 7-point scale; -3 indicating the participant is cold to +3 indicating the participant is hot)
Measured: End of the 60-min intermittent exercise bout
Thermal sensation B
Thermal sensation assessed via a self-report questionnaire upon verbal prompting (scale is as follows: 7-point scale; 0 indicating the participant is neutral to 7 indicating the participant is extremely hot)
Measured: End of the 60-min intermittent exercise bout
Thirst sensation
Thirst sensation assessed via a self-report questionnaire upon verbal prompting (scale is as follows: 9-point scale; 1 indicating the participant is not thirsty at all to 9 indicating the participant is very, very thirsty)
Measured: End of the 60-min intermittent exercise bout
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted15 Sep 2025
- Study start13 Jun 2025
- Primary completion16 Oct 2025
- Study completion31 Dec 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Heat StressStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Basic science
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Crossover
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Participant
- Enrolment
- 12 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- University of Ottawa
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Glen P. Kenny, University of Ottawa
- Investigators
- Glen P Kenny, PhD, Principal investigator, University of Ottawa
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07174180
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- HEPRU-2025-08-A
- Status last verified
- Jun 2026
- First submitted
- 15 Aug 2025
- Last updated
- 16 Jun 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 16 Jun 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- The Effect of Wearing the Hijab on Dry and Evaporative Heat Exchange During Moderate-intensity Exercise Performed in Hot-dry Environments
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07174180
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- HEPRU-2025-08-A
- Conditions
- Heat Stress, Temperature Change, Body
- Keywords
- Core temperature, Exercise, Females, Garment, Heat strain, Thermoregulation, Hot weather
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 12 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- University of OttawaUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 13 Jun 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 16 Oct 2025 (actual)
- Study completion
- 31 Dec 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 15 Sep 2025 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
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).
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Basic science
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Crossover
- Masking
- Single blind (participant)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| No hijab | Experimental | Other: Exercise-heat stress with no hijabParticipants rest in a thermoneutral resting condition for 30-min (baseline resting) while wearing a cotton t-shirt and shorts, after which they enter a chamber regulated at 40°C where they perform an intermittent exercise bout consisting of two, 30-min moderate-intensity exercise bouts (fixed rate of heat production of 200 W/m2), with each exercise bout separated by a 15 min rest break and a 60-min recovery following the second exercise bout. |
| Hijab | Experimental | Other: Exercise-heat stress with a hijabParticipants rest in a thermoneutral resting condition for 30-min (baseline resting) while wearing a hijab over cotton t-shir and shorts, after which they enter a chamber regulated at 40°C where they perform an intermittent exercise bout consisting of two, 30-min moderate-intensity exercise bouts (fixed rate of heat production of 200 W/m2), with each exercise bout separated by a 15 min rest break and a 60-min recovery following the second exercise bout. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 35 years
- Sex
- Female only
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (4 listed)
- healthy young female (18-35 years)
- non smoking
- English or French speaking
- ability to provide informed consent
Key exclusion criteria (5 listed)
- claustrophobia
- engaged in endurance training
- acute or chronic illness
- sedentary (not engaged in any form of physical activity)
- physical restriction limiting physical activity
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Exercise-heat stress with no hijabParticipants perform exercise in the heat with no hijab | Other | No hijab |
| Exercise-heat stress with a hijabParticipants perform exercise in the heat with a hijab | Other | Hijab |
Primary outcome
Evaporative heat loss at end exercise
Time frame: End of the 60-min intermittent exercise bout
Evaporative heat loss as assessed using a direct air calorimeter
Dry heat loss at end exercise
Time frame: End of the 60-min intermittent exercise bout
Dry heat loss as assessed using a direct air calorimeter
Total heat loss at end exercise
Time frame: End of the 60-min intermittent exercise bout
Total heat loss as assessed using a direct air calorimeter
Body heat storage
Time frame: End of the 60-min intermittent exercise bout
Heat stored in the body for each of the exercise bouts
Change in body heat content
Time frame: End of the 60-min intermittent exercise bout
Body heat content measured at the end of intermittent exercise
Core temperature
Time frame: End of the 60-min intermittent exercise bout
Rectal temperature during final 5 minutes of each of the exercise bouts
Mean skin temperature
Time frame: End of the 60-min intermittent exercise bout
Mean skin temperature during final 5 minutes of each of the exercise bouts
Relative change in core temperature at end exercise
Time frame: End of the 60-min intermittent exercise bout
Relative increase in core temperature for each 30-minute exercise bout
Relative change in mean skin temperature at end exercise
Time frame: End of the 60-min intermittent exercise bout
Relative change in mean skin temperature for each 30-minute exercise bout
Heart rate
Time frame: End of the 60-min intermittent exercise bout
Heart rate during final 5 minutes of each of the exercise bouts
Rating of perceived exertion
Time frame: End of the 60-min intermittent exercise bout
Perceived exertion assessed via a self-report questionnaire upon verbal prompting (scale is as follows: 6: indicating the participant is not exerting themselves at all with 20 indicating participant is exerting themselves maximally)
Thermal sensation A
Time frame: End of the 60-min intermittent exercise bout
Thermal sensation assessed via a self-report questionnaire upon verbal prompting (scale is as follows: 7-point scale; -3 indicating the participant is cold to +3 indicating the participant is hot)
Thermal sensation B
Time frame: End of the 60-min intermittent exercise bout
Thermal sensation assessed via a self-report questionnaire upon verbal prompting (scale is as follows: 7-point scale; 0 indicating the participant is neutral to 7 indicating the participant is extremely hot)
Thirst sensation
Time frame: End of the 60-min intermittent exercise bout
Thirst sensation assessed via a self-report questionnaire upon verbal prompting (scale is as follows: 9-point scale; 1 indicating the participant is not thirsty at all to 9 indicating the participant is very, very thirsty)
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 16 Jun 2026.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
Glen P Kenny, PhD principal investigator
University of Ottawa
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Exercise-heat stress with no hijab and Exercise-heat stress with a hijab in people with Heat Stress and Temperature Change, Body, run by University of Ottawa at 1 site in Canada.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 4 inclusion and 5 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 16 Jun 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Canada. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Glen P Kenny, PhD (6135625800 ext. 4282, gkenny@uottawa.ca), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Evaporative heat loss at end exercise (time frame: End of the 60-min intermittent exercise bout). The study lists 14 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 16 Jun 2026.