Metabolism Clothing Activity

Overview

Engineering reference data for Metabolism Clothing Activity in physiology.

Key Formulas

Basal Metabolic Rate

$BMR \propto M^{0.75}$

Kleiber's law — metabolic rate scales with body mass.

Heat Loss

$Q = hA(T_{skin} - T_{air})$

Convective heat loss from body.

Variables

Symbol	Description	Unit
$Q$	Heat loss	W
$h$	Heat transfer coefficient	W/(m²·K)
$A$	Body surface area	m²

Definitions

Clo is a unit of thermal insulation used to describe the warmth of clothing. The standard definition is:

$$1 \text{ Clo} = 0.155 \, \frac{\text{m}^2 \cdot \text{K}}{\text{W}}$$

This unit helps quantify how clothing affects the body's heat balance by slowing the transfer of heat through conduction and convection.

The data demonstrates the relationship between physical activity, required clothing insulation (Clo value), and the resulting thermal environment needed for comfort. As activity level increases, the body generates more metabolic heat. To maintain thermal comfort at higher activity levels, either the ambient temperature must be lower, less clothing (lower Clo value) is required, or increased air movement helps dissipate excess heat.

The total heat is the sum of heat lost through convection, radiation, and latent vapor (perspiration).

Interactive Charts

References

• Original Source