An experimental study investigating differences in acclimatization capacity and thermal preference between university students and older workers

Alice Caporale*, Luca Zaniboni, Pawel Wargocki, Cristina Mora

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingArticle in proceedingsResearchpeer-review

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Abstract

This experimental study aims to test thermal response and the ability to acclimatize during thermal discomfort conditions of different age groups. Experiments were conducted in late summer with thirteen participants, including university students and older workers, exposed in a climate chamber to a temperature increasing from 22°C to 28°C and decreasing from 22°C to 16°C, at a rate of 3.5K/h. Participants adjusted their clothing to stay thermally neutral at 22°C. After that, they were not allowed to change clothing during temperature ramps. Subjects rated their thermal comfort, preference, and acceptability during increasing and decreasing temperature ramps. Skin temperature was measured in two points to monitor the processes of vasoconstriction. Older workers showed higher vasoconstriction in both ramps due to more rapid and more significant cooling of extremities. However, older workers showed a higher tolerance for thermal discomfort conditions during the cold ramp, suggesting that they might physically suffer more from thermal discomfort but be less aware of it. During the hot ramp, older workers showed greater variability in psychological response, although comparable mean values suggest that thermal neutrality might remain similar with increasing age. For this reason, the percentage of dissatisfied among older workers could be different despite similar neutral temperatures. The results highlight the need to extend the study with comparable experiments to collect further data on older workers' acclimatization capacity and thermal preferences.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of 11th International Conference on Indoor Air Quality, Ventilation & Energy Conservation in Buildings
Number of pages7
Volume396
PublisherEDP Sciences
Publication date2023
Article number01048
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2023
Event11th International Conference on Indoor Air Quality, Ventilation & Energy Conservation in Buildings - Tokyo, Japan
Duration: 20 May 202323 May 2023
Conference number: 11

Conference

Conference11th International Conference on Indoor Air Quality, Ventilation & Energy Conservation in Buildings
Number11
Country/TerritoryJapan
CityTokyo
Period20/05/202323/05/2023
SeriesE3S Web of Conferences
ISSN2267-1242

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