Effect of change in ambient temperature on core temperature during the daytime

• Published in: International journal of biometeorology 2014-07, Vol.58 (5), p.901-907
• Main Authors: Kakitsuba, Naoshi, White, Matthew D
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Ambient temperature; Animal Physiology; Biological and Medical Physics; Biophysics; Body Temperature; Body Temperature Regulation; Body weight; Circadian Rhythm; Climate change; Earth and Environmental Science; Environment; Environmental Health; heat; Humans; Male; Meteorology; Original Paper; Oxygen; Oxygen Consumption; Plant Physiology; sensation; Skin; skin temperature; Temperature; Temperature effects; Thermal energy; Thermosensing; Weight Loss; Young Adult
• ISSN: 0020-7128; 1432-1254
• DOI: 10.1007/s00484-013-0673-8

In this study, the hypothesis is tested that continuous increases in ambient temperature (Tₐ) during daytime would give elevated core and skin temperatures, and consequently better thermal sensation and comfort. Rectal temperature (Tᵣₑ), skin temperatures and regional dry heat losses at 7 sites were continuously measured for 10 Japanese male subjects in three thermal conditions: cond. 1, stepwise increases in Tₐ from 26 °C at 9 h00 to 30 °C at 18 h00; cond. 2, steady Tₐ at 28 °C from 9 h00 to 18 h00 and cond. 3, stepwise decreases in Tₐ from 30 °C at 9 h00 to 26 °C at 18 h00. Oxygen consumption was measured and thermal sensation and comfort votes were monitored at 15 min intervals. Body weight loss was measured at 1 h intervals. While Tᵣₑ increased continuously in the morning period in any condition, it increased to a significantly greater (p