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Published on: June 15, 2020
Human thermal sensitivity drifts at extreme temperatures.
Laura Battistel1, Margherita Bisaglia1, Massimiliano Zampini2
1terraXcube, Eurac Research.
Summary
Human thermal sensitivity decreases in extreme temperatures. Our study shows people are less sensitive to temperature changes in very cold or hot conditions compared to mild ones.
Area of Science:
- Human physiology
- Environmental psychology
- Sensory perception
Background:
- Humans adapt behavior to ambient temperature.
- Integration of distributed thermal sensations into unified perception is not well understood.
- Understanding thermal perception under extreme conditions is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate whole-body thermal perception changes.
- Examine perception under mild versus extreme thermal conditions.
- Determine the impact of extreme temperatures on thermal sensitivity.
Main Methods:
- Between-subjects design with 51 participants.
- Comparison of temperature in four independently controlled climate chambers.
- Dynamic temperature variations in mild (18-28°C) and extreme (8-38°C) conditions.
Main Results:
- Thermal sensitivity declined significantly under thermal extremes (p < .001).
- Just noticeable difference was larger in cold (0.95°C) and hot (0.80°C) sessions.
- No correlation found between thermal sensitivity and physiological states.
Conclusions:
- Whole-body thermal sensitivity is disrupted in extreme environments.
- Altered sensory integration or perceptual bias may explain findings.
- Behavioral limits of human thermoregulation are highlighted.
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