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

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).

NCT Number	NCT07174180
Lead Sponsor	University of Ottawa
Conditions	Heat Stress, Temperature Change, Body
Enrollment	12 participants
Start Date	2025-06-13
Primary Completion	2025-10-16 (estimated)
Study Completion	2026-12-31 (estimated)
Updated on ClinicalTrials.gov	2026-06-16