A platform for research: civil engineering, architecture and urbanism
A platform for research: civil engineering, architecture and urbanism
Age differences in thermal comfort and physiological responses in thermal environments with temperature ramp
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7293-0325
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6714-4007
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9717-7552
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7703-8838
Abstract The well-being of the elderly is critical in today's aging society. However, the age difference in thermal comfort in buildings with unstable thermal environments is poorly understood. In this study, 32 gender-balanced elderly and young participants were recruited to investigate differences in thermal perceptions and physiological responses to thermal environments with temperature ramps between 34 °C and 18 °C (up and down) in a climate chamber. We found that the elderly have a time lag and smaller variation in thermal responses than the young group when air temperature changes, especially in non-neutral conditions. The elderly reported less thermal discomfort (P < 0.05) and fewer complaints of sick building syndrome (SBS) and perceived air quality (PAQ). Local thermal sensation vote (TSV) and local skin temperature (LST) results also revealed age differences in the coldest local body parts and TSV-LST relationships. The LST of the arms and head of the elderly was lower in some conditions, indicating that health risks should be considered more carefully. The elderly had significantly higher blood pressure and were more sensitive to temperature ramps than the young. Thermal perceptions and physiological responses were affected by both air temperature values and ramp direction. Linear regressions were performed to predict TSV as a function of PMV and temperature ramp rate ΔT for the elderly and young groups, respectively. Therefore, age should be considered when evaluating the thermal comfort of older adults in unstable environments.
Highlights The elderly was thermally hypoesthesia to temperature ramp in warm/cold environments. The elderly was less thermal discomfort (P < 0.05) and less complaint about SBS and PAQ. The local TSV, local skin temperature and their relationships have various age differences. The age different thermal perceptions were affected by both the Ta and its ramp direction. The blood pressures of the elderly were higher and more sensitive to Ta than the young adult.
Age differences in thermal comfort and physiological responses in thermal environments with temperature ramp
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7293-0325
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6714-4007
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9717-7552
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7703-8838
Abstract The well-being of the elderly is critical in today's aging society. However, the age difference in thermal comfort in buildings with unstable thermal environments is poorly understood. In this study, 32 gender-balanced elderly and young participants were recruited to investigate differences in thermal perceptions and physiological responses to thermal environments with temperature ramps between 34 °C and 18 °C (up and down) in a climate chamber. We found that the elderly have a time lag and smaller variation in thermal responses than the young group when air temperature changes, especially in non-neutral conditions. The elderly reported less thermal discomfort (P < 0.05) and fewer complaints of sick building syndrome (SBS) and perceived air quality (PAQ). Local thermal sensation vote (TSV) and local skin temperature (LST) results also revealed age differences in the coldest local body parts and TSV-LST relationships. The LST of the arms and head of the elderly was lower in some conditions, indicating that health risks should be considered more carefully. The elderly had significantly higher blood pressure and were more sensitive to temperature ramps than the young. Thermal perceptions and physiological responses were affected by both air temperature values and ramp direction. Linear regressions were performed to predict TSV as a function of PMV and temperature ramp rate ΔT for the elderly and young groups, respectively. Therefore, age should be considered when evaluating the thermal comfort of older adults in unstable environments.
Highlights The elderly was thermally hypoesthesia to temperature ramp in warm/cold environments. The elderly was less thermal discomfort (P < 0.05) and less complaint about SBS and PAQ. The local TSV, local skin temperature and their relationships have various age differences. The age different thermal perceptions were affected by both the Ta and its ramp direction. The blood pressures of the elderly were higher and more sensitive to Ta than the young adult.
Age differences in thermal comfort and physiological responses in thermal environments with temperature ramp
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7293-0325
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6714-4007
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9717-7552
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7703-8838
Abstract The well-being of the elderly is critical in today's aging society. However, the age difference in thermal comfort in buildings with unstable thermal environments is poorly understood. In this study, 32 gender-balanced elderly and young participants were recruited to investigate differences in thermal perceptions and physiological responses to thermal environments with temperature ramps between 34 °C and 18 °C (up and down) in a climate chamber. We found that the elderly have a time lag and smaller variation in thermal responses than the young group when air temperature changes, especially in non-neutral conditions. The elderly reported less thermal discomfort (P < 0.05) and fewer complaints of sick building syndrome (SBS) and perceived air quality (PAQ). Local thermal sensation vote (TSV) and local skin temperature (LST) results also revealed age differences in the coldest local body parts and TSV-LST relationships. The LST of the arms and head of the elderly was lower in some conditions, indicating that health risks should be considered more carefully. The elderly had significantly higher blood pressure and were more sensitive to temperature ramps than the young. Thermal perceptions and physiological responses were affected by both air temperature values and ramp direction. Linear regressions were performed to predict TSV as a function of PMV and temperature ramp rate ΔT for the elderly and young groups, respectively. Therefore, age should be considered when evaluating the thermal comfort of older adults in unstable environments.
Highlights The elderly was thermally hypoesthesia to temperature ramp in warm/cold environments. The elderly was less thermal discomfort (P < 0.05) and less complaint about SBS and PAQ. The local TSV, local skin temperature and their relationships have various age differences. The age different thermal perceptions were affected by both the Ta and its ramp direction. The blood pressures of the elderly were higher and more sensitive to Ta than the young adult.
Age differences in thermal comfort and physiological responses in thermal environments with temperature ramp
Wu, Yuxin (author) / Zhang, Zixuan (author) / Liu, Hong (author) / Li, Baizhan (author) / Chen, Baofan (author) / Kosonen, Risto (author) / Jokisalo, Juha (author)
Building and Environment ; 228
2022-11-29
Article (Journal)
Electronic Resource
English
PHYSIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF THERMAL COMFORT
| Taylor & Francis Verlag | 1965
Gender differences in thermal comfort and use of thermostats in everyday thermal environments
| Online Contents | 2007