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The determinants of thermal comfort in cool water
Author(s) -
Guéritée J.,
House J. R.,
Redortier B.,
Tipton M. J.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
scandinavian journal of medicine and science in sports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.575
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1600-0838
pISSN - 0905-7188
DOI - 10.1111/sms.12360
Subject(s) - supine position , rectal temperature , skin temperature , air temperature , thermoregulation , thermal comfort , zoology , medicine , lower body , physical therapy , surgery , anesthesia , atmospheric sciences , physics , meteorology , biology , biomedical engineering
Water‐based activities may result in the loss of thermal comfort ( TC ). We hypothesized that in cooling water, the hands and feet would be responsible. Supine immersions were conducted in up to five clothing conditions (exposing various regions), as well as investigations to determine if a “reference” skin temperature ( T sk ) distribution in thermoneutral air would help interpret our findings. After 10 min in 34.5 °C water, the temperature was decreased to 19.5 °C over 20 min; eight resting or exercising volunteers reported when they no longer felt comfortable and which region was responsible. TC , rectal temperature, and T sk were measured. Rather than the extremities, the lower back and chest caused the loss of overall TC . At this point, mean ( SD ) chest T sk was 3.3 (1.7) °C lower than the reference temperature ( P = 0.005), and 3.8 (1.5) °C lower for the back ( P = 0.002). Finger T sk was 3.1 (2.7) °C higher than the reference temperature ( P = 0.037). In cool and cooling water, hands and feet, already adapted to colder air temperatures, will not cause discomfort. Contrarily, more discomfort may arise from the chest and lower back, as these regions cool by more than normal. Thus, T sk distribution in thermoneutral air may help understand variations in TC responses across the body.