This study aims to chart which thermal challenges modern day humans are exposed to and compare this to their thermoneutral zone. Therefore we hypothesize that modern day humans (both males and females) are predominantly within their thermoneutral…
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Source
Brief title
Condition
- Other condition
Synonym
Health condition
geen directe aandoening onderzocht
Research involving
Sponsors and support
Intervention
Outcome measures
Primary outcome
The main study parameter is the fraction of time spent relative to the
thermoneutral zone. The distance from the thermoneutral zone is defined by
comparing measured skin temperature and operative temperature to the
theoretical centroid of the thermoneutral zone (as calculated by biophysical
model).
Secondary outcome
The secondary research questions relate to the primary objectives and aim to
give insight in how the thermal states are related to physical, physiological
and subjective parameters:
* Physiological
o Metabolic rate distinguished by:
* Basal metabolic rate
* Activity level
o Insulation distinguished by:
* Body composition
* Skin blood flow
* Physical
o Thermal environment by:
* Air temperature
* Humidity
* Clothing
* Subjective
o Thermal comfort
Background summary
Modern day Western humans predominantly work and live in climate controlled
buildings, and it is hypothesized that they expose themselves to thermal
conditions that maximize thermal comfort and minimize the effort for the body
to regulate body temperature. Body temperature regulation is strongly linked to
cardiovascular and metabolic function. Therefore, variation in thermal
challenges, or the lack thereof may be related to long-term health status.
Current indoor climate standards are biased towards males. This is caused in
part by only considering male metabolic rate in calculations of thermal demand.
As a consequence, males may be predisposed to less thermal challenges than
females.
Study objective
This study aims to chart which thermal challenges modern day humans are exposed
to and compare this to their thermoneutral zone. Therefore we hypothesize that
modern day humans (both males and females) are predominantly within their
thermoneutral zone, and are consequently exposed to an environment that
predispositions people to develop metabolic and cardiac diseases.
Study design
Mixed study design: between subject observational field study, and within
subject intervention laboratory study.
Intervention
During the field study subjects are encouraged to behave as they normally
would, therefore no intervention is planned. During the laboratory visit the
thermal environment of subjects is altered by changing clothing conditions
while subjects perform several activities (sitting * walking) on a treadmill.
Study burden and risks
No significant burden or risk for the subjects is expected. Subjects will visit
the laboratory one full day and participate in a field study for two days.
Physiological measurements are non-invasive and include skin temperature, core
temperature, heart rate, blood pressure, skin blood flow, activity and
metabolic rate in the lab study. Subjective measurements are performed by
questionnaires to indicate thermal comfort. During the field study
physiological measurements include skin temperature, core temperature, heart
rate, blood pressure and activity. Also during the field experiment subjects
will fill in questionnaires to indicate thermal comfort and clothing worn.
Universiteitssingel 50
Maastricht 6229 ER
NL
Universiteitssingel 50
Maastricht 6229 ER
NL
Listed location countries
Age
Inclusion criteria
* Age between 18 and 60 years old
* BMI between 20 to 25 kg/m2
* Sharing the same office with another participant of different gender
Exclusion criteria
* Is a minor or senior (i.e. younger than 18 years or older than 60 years)
* Age difference within couple greater than 10 years
* BMI difference within couple greater than 2 BMI points
* Health issues
* Within couple at least 1 participant works more than 1 night-shift per month
* Incapacitated
Design
Recruitment
Followed up by the following (possibly more current) registration
No registrations found.
Other (possibly less up-to-date) registrations in this register
No registrations found.
In other registers
| Register | ID |
|---|---|
| CCMO | NL54274.068.15 |
| Other | NTR nummer nog niet ontvangen |