Maastricht Instruments room calorimeters can be easily customized for different research purposes within the field of human metabolism.
A person’s satisfaction with the environment (comfort) depends on different ambient factors, being temperature, humidity, air quality, light exposure and acoustics. Apart from comfort, these factors also influence the productivity. Different studies investigated the optimal conditions for human beings to stay in for a longer period of time, because the right light and temperature exposure can increase our alertness during the day and sleepiness in the evening and night.
The study: human metabolism closely controlled
The different studies from te Kluve et al. investigated the influence of light intensity, colour temperature and environmental temperature on alertness and body temperature. To facilitate this study, the room calorimeters were fitted with a Philips LED wall washing light system. Since all other environmental aspects (ambient temperature, humidity, air quality) are already closely controlled in the room calorimeters, it makes them the ideal tool for this research.
Conclusion:
A lower room temperature increased the core body temperature (CBT), lowered skin temperature and reduced the subjective sleepiness and reaction time on an auditory psychomotor vigilance task (PVT). Interestingly, the morning bright light exposure did affect thermophysiological parameters, i.e. it decreased plasma cortisol, CBT and proximal skin temperature and increased the DPG, irrespective of the room temperature.
The room calorimeter: more than just metabolic research
Maastricht Instruments room calorimeters are specifically designed to facilitate these kinds of studies. Hatches for easy blood sampling, additional feed through points, access to raw data and much more make it the ideal research platform for current and future study ideas.
Contact us to find out more about our indirect calorimeter solutions.
Literature
[2] te Kulve, M., Schlangen, L. J., Schellen, L., Frijns, A. J., & van Marken Lichtenbelt, W. D. (2017). The Impact of Morning Light Intensity and Environmental Temperature on Body Temperature and Alertness. Physiology & Behaviour, 72-81.
[3] te Kulve, M., Schlangen, L., & van Marken Lichtenbelt, W. (2018). Interactions between the perception of light and temperature. Indoor Air, 881-891.
[4] te Kulve, M., Schlangen, L., Schellen, L., Souman, J. L., & van Marken Lichtenbelt, W. (2018). Correlated Colour Temperature of Morning Light Influences Alertness and Body Temperature. Physiology & Behaviour, 1-13.