Abstract
The purpose of this study is to investigate the physiological and subjective responses when using radiative and air-conditioning heating systems in the bathroom. Ten healthy men bathed under the following conditions: A, With the air-conditioner running before and during bathing, R, Switching from air-conditioner to radiation heating once subjects enter the bathroom. Off, Air-conditioner running before bathing and turned off when subjects enter the bathroom. C, No heating. Subjects were sitting beside the bathtub for 5 min and drenched with warm water using a basin. After that, they immersed themselves to the neck in warm water (40℃) for 5min. Just after drenching, there were not significant differences in blood pressure between condition A and R, but the increase in diastolic blood pressure for A was greater than for R and Off. and the subjects felt cold and uncomfortable under condition A compared to R and Off. After immersion in warm water, the DBP for Off increased and the subjects felt cold and more uncomfortable under condition Off compared to R and A. The changes of BP for R during the experiment were the smallest among the 4 conditions. It was suggested that the radiative heating system was the most suitable heating methods among the 4 conditions to obtain warmth and comfortable both after drenching and after immersion.
