Qualitative and Quantitative Determination of Impaired Movement in Protective Clothing

Abstract

<p>Impaired movement is seen in most instances where protective clothing is worn. Unlike conventional garments, protective clothing is usually constructed to provide very a generous fit. Therefore, the methods used for the determination of range of motion in conventional garments are not appropriate for assessing protective clothing. This study compared the qualitative and quantitative methods of assessing impaired movement in protective clothing. The qualitative assessment provided an overview of the general acceptance of each CPE, while the quantitative method found differences in the magnitude of restrictions caused by the garments.</p>