The effects of skin pressure by clothing on whole gut transit time and amount of feces.

The experiment investigated the effects of skin pressure by clothing on whole gut transit time and amount of feces. Comparisons of transit time and amount of feces were taken between 6 young female adults with and without a girdle. The skin pressure applied by a girdle (mean +/- SD) on participant's waist, abdomen and hip region was 16.6 +/- 7.80 mmHg, 17.1 +/- 4.5 mmHg and 12.6 +/- 5.0 mmHg, respectively. The difference of skin pressure with and without a girdle was about 10 mmHg. During each experimental period of 4 days with and without a girdle, the whole gut transit time and amount of feces were measured. The whole gut transit time of each day was determined as the time between the oral intake of each day's markers and their first appearance in the stool. The whole gut transit times of the markers taken on the first day were significantly prolonged (p < 0.05) and those of the markers taken on the second day tended to be prolonged for participant using a girdle (p < 0.1). The whole gut transit time of the markers taken on the third day could not be compared because they were not excreted into the stool. The cumulative increases of feces on the third day and the fourth day were significantly reduced with a girdle (p < 0.05). These results indicate that the skin pressure by clothing has an effect on whole gut transit time and the amount of feces.