Heart rate variability at different thermal comfort levels

Authors: Liu, Weiwei¹; Lian, Zhiwei²; Liu, Yuanmou³

Source: European Journal of Applied Physiology, Volume 103, Number 3, June 2008 , pp. 361-366(6)

Publisher: Springer

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Abstract:

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°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.

Keywords: Sympathetic nervous system; Thermal environment

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00421-008-0718-6

Affiliations: 1: Institution of Refrigeration and Cryogenics, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Road Dongchuan, 200240, Shanghai, China, Email: lww_809@tom.com 2: Institution of Refrigeration and Cryogenics, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Road Dongchuan, 200240, Shanghai, China, Email: zwlian@sjtu.edu.cn 3: College of Basic Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China

Publication date: 2008-06-01