Level of Physiological Thermal Adaptation as a Predictor of Climate-Specific Thermal Comfort Acceptability Range, with a Focus on Hot and Dry Bioclimate

Mehta, Ketki; Banteli, Amalia

Abstract

A few researchers have pointed out the need to look at thermal adaptation as a predictor of thermal comfort, in addition to physiology, behaviour, and cultural comfort psychology. Thermal history and memory of thermal experiences lead to expectation and behavioural and lifestyle adaptations. However, continuous exposure to a consistent climatic pattern can lead to acclimation, acclimatisation, or adaptation, depending on the nature of exposure. These, in turn, have the potential to affect (1) physiological changes, leading to change in thermal acceptance range, including seasonal adaptations; (2) thermal history, leading to change in expectation, consequently behaviour; and lastly (3) lifestyle, leading to changed comfort psychology. These affect thermal comfort in a major way.

Several researchers have concluded from field studies that thermal preferences in hot and arid zones are on the higher side; that is, the upper and lower limits of thermal acceptability are higher. It has been documented that the range of thermal acceptability is slightly wider than in moderate climates.

After a literature review of the thermo-physiology of the human body, this chapter attempts to link aspects of it directly to thermal comfort, thereby explaining different acceptable temperature ranges for human beings in different bioclimates.

Heat adaptation, or acclimatisation, means that the individual can tolerate higher body core temperatures, has a lower temperature threshold for the onset of heat defence mechanisms, which allows the body to stay thermoregulated. It is found that heat adaptation and cold adaptation are physiologically diametrically opposite, and it is highly unlikely that the same person will adapt to both heat and cold, although it is possible. Knowing (1) bioclimate, (2) the type of adaptation and/or body mass index, and 3) the level of fitness and/or level of acclimatisation, it might be possible to predict the acceptable thermal range for the individual or group of people.

This research attempts to create a knowledge base to distinguish adaptive thermoregulation from hyperthermic heat strain. This should help designers and architects assess the thermal comfort of occupants and acknowledge differences in thermal needs in their designs.

• Presentation Conference Type: Conference Paper (published)
• Conference Name: International Conference of Sustainable Ecological Engineering Design for Society (SEEDS) 2021
• Start Date: Sep 1, 2021
• Publication Date: Apr 2, 2025
• Deposit Date: Jun 7, 2025
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Book Title: Sustainable Ecological Engineering Design
• ISBN: 9783031739477
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-73947-7_10