The effects of gender, age, and fatigue on susceptibility to draft discomfort

In almost 1000 1-h sessions 179 participants (109 men, 70 women, 18-68 yr) were exposed to drafts, where air velocity, turbulence intensity, draft dir ection, frequencies. air temperature, and metabolic rate were varied, and w here perception of air movements. draft-induced discomfort and general ther mal discomfort were ascertained. This study centered on the influence of ag e, gender, and fatigue on these subjective responses. Where perception did not depend on these influences, women and fatigued persons felt significant ly more often uncomfortable and cooler and preferred a higher temperature t han men and alert persons. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserv ed.