抄録
Many Japanese women complain of severe coldness even in mildly air-conditioned rooms; however, it has been not clarified why they feel colder than others. This study investigated physiological and psychological thermoregulatory responses in young woman. Twelve Japanese female students (mean 21.5 yrs old) were included in this study. To clarify female thermoregulation at mildly low ambient temperature (Ta), we divided the subjects into two groups based on their cold sensation; feeling severe coldness (C group) and not feeling severe coldness (N group) in a mild Ta. We studied two sessions as follows: (1) each subject stayed at a Ta of 29.5 °C for 25 min and then at a Ta of 23.5 °C for 15 min in a thermostatic chamber. (2) Each subject stayed at a Ta of 29.5 °C for 25 min and stayed at a Ta of 29.5 °C for 25 min, although the subject was informed that the room temperature would decrease to 23.5 °C. Each session was conducted at a random order. We measured using a thermocouple at four peripheral parts of their body. Thermal comfort and sensation were evaluated using an18-cm line rating scale. Measurements were conducted for each subject during the follicular phase (FP). Toe temperature in the N group transiently increased after changing Ta; therefore, female thermoregulation was affected by both autonomic function and peripheral skin temperature. The results of autonomic nerve activities evaluated with an electrocardiogram and by Laser-Doppler flowmetry would also be reported. [J Physiol Sci. 2008;58 Suppl:S99]
