The aim of this study was to examine whether covering the neck with both hands reduces the loss of body heat. Fifteen healthy male university students (height: 1.71 ± 0.05 m, body mass: 66.1 ± 6.9 kg, body fat: 17.1 ± 4.0%) participated in this study. Each participant was instructed to sit on a stack of two bricks in an indoor swimming pool (water temperature: 20.6?, water depth: 0.6 m) to maintain their chin at the water surface level. Seven participants covered their necks (CN group) with both hands, and eight participants underwent the test without covering the neck (w/o CN group). An ingestible thermometer and battery-powered temperature logger were used to measure the gastrointestinal temperature (TGastrointestine) and the skin surface temperature around their armpit (TArmpit). Heart rate was measured using a waterproof optical heart rate sensor. In the comparison of the rate of increase and decrease in the TGastrointestine, only the rate of decrease was significantly greater in the CN group compared to the w/o CN group (p = 0.027). Similarly, in the comparison of the rate of increase and decrease in the TArmpit, only the rate of decrease was significantly greater in the CN group compared to the w/o CN group (p = 0.052). The total temperature drop was significantly greater in the CN group compared to the w/o CN group for the TArmpit (p = 0.049). No significant differences between the groups were found for any heart rate variables. Based on the rate of heat loss and other factors, it is likely that covering the neck area may have a negative impact on deep body temperature, possibly due to the heat loss from the armpits.
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