Thermal responses and perceptions under distinct ambient temperature and wind conditions

Area of Science:

• Environmental Physiology
• Human Thermal Comfort
• Thermoregulation

Background:

• Wind conditions significantly impact human thermal perception and physiological responses.
• Understanding the interplay between environmental factors and human thermal states is crucial for comfort and safety.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between wind conditions (speed and angle) and human thermal perception.
• To assess the human thermal load as an indicator of thermal states under varying wind conditions.
• To analyze physiological (skin temperature) and psychological responses to thermal stimuli.

Main Methods:

• Participants were exposed to controlled ambient temperatures, wind speeds, and wind angles for 20 minutes.
• Skin temperatures were measured as a physiological indicator.
• Human thermal load was calculated using the human thermal-load method.

Main Results:

• Human thermal load effectively indicated human thermal states across all tested wind conditions.
• Individual wind speed and direction were insufficient to fully explain human thermal experience.
• Under cool conditions, thermoregulation maintained low skin temperatures with regional variations.

Conclusions:

• The human thermal load is a comprehensive measure of human thermal states, integrating physiological parameters like skin temperature changes.
• Human thermal perception is complex and influenced by factors beyond simple wind speed and direction.
• Physiological responses, particularly skin temperature regulation, are key to understanding the human thermal experience.