Heart rate variability at different thermal comfort levels.
The mechanism of human thermal comfort is important for building a comfortable and healthy indoor environment. This paper analyzes human heart rate variability (HRV) at different thermal comfort levels and discusses the mechanism of human thermal comfort. A total of 33 subjects were divided in 3 groups. Under air temperatures of 21, 24, 26, 28, 29, and 30 degrees C, the subjects' electrocardiogram was recorded for 5 min. HRV (the ratio of absolute powers in low- and high-frequency bands, LF/HF ratio) was analyzed. LF/HF at discomfort level were significantly higher than that at comfort level (P < 0.05), despite the same thermal sensation. The results indicate that sympathetic activity plays an important role in subjects' thermal discomfort and the LF/HF ratio may be used as an indicator for human thermal comfort.
Liu
Weiwei
W
Institution of Refrigeration and Cryogenics, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Road Dongchuan, 200240 Shanghai, China. lww_809@tom.com
Lian
Zhiwei
Z
Liu
Yuanmou
Y
D000328:Adult; D001833:Body Temperature Regulation; D004562:Electrocardiography; D004780:Environment, Controlled; D005260:Female; D006321:Heart / Q000294:innervation*; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013564:Sympathetic Nervous System / Q000502:physiology*; D013696:Temperature; D013697:Thermosensing