Effects of wind and rain on thermal responses of humans in a mildly cold environment.
The purpose of the present study was to clarify the effects of wind and rain on peripheral heat loss by non-exercising minimally clothed humans in a mildly cold environment. Seven healthy young male subjects wearing only shorts rested in a standing position for 20 min at an ambient temperature of 15 degrees C under three conditions: without exposure to wind or rain (CON), with exposure to wind (3 m/s) (WIND) and with exposure to wind (3 m/s) and rain (40 mm/h) (WIND + RAIN). Mean heat loss measured using a heat flux transducer was significantly greater in the subjects exposed to WIND + RAIN compared to those exposed to CON and WIND conditions (p < 0.01). Metabolic heat production was significantly greater under WIND + RAIN than under CON and WIND (p < 0.01). Decrease in heat storage was significantly larger at WIND + RAIN compared with CON and WIND (p < 0.01). Mean skin temperature was significantly lower under WIND + RAIN than under CON and WIND conditions (p < 0.01). These results indicate that peripheral heat loss significantly increases when humans are exposed to wind and rain for a short period (20 min) under a mildly cold condition.
Department of Human Sciences, Aichi Mizuho College, Hiratobashi-cho, Toyota, Japan. mo-yamane@mizuho-c.ac.jp
Motoi
M
Yamane
Yukio
Y
Oida
Norikazu
N
Ohnishi
Takaaki
T
Matsumoto
Kaoru
K
Kitagawa
D001833:Body Temperature Regulation / Q000502:physiology*; D003020:Clothing; D003080:Cold Temperature; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011891:Rain; D012146:Rest / Q000502:physiology; D012881:Skin Temperature; D022722:Thermogenesis; D014919:Wind; D055815:Young Adult