An Experimental Study on Individual Difference in Reaction to Mild Environment in Adult Males - On the Perspective of Sasang Constitution

온열 환경 반응에 대한 사상체질간 차이에 대한 실험적 연구

Objective : We investigated the sasang constitutional difference of physiological and psychological response in various thermal environmental conditions. Methods: Among 210 volunteers, 30 healthy subjects were selected through the QSCC II (a questionnaire for constitutional discrimination) and the manual examination of a specialist in sasang constitution. Subjects consisted of 10 each Soyang(少陽), Soeum(少陰), and Taeum(太陽). Experimental environments were set by six different conditions to be $23^{\circ}C,\;50\%\;RH,\;0.lm/s;\;25^{\circ}C,\;25\%\;RH,\;0.lm/s;\;25^{\circ}C,\;50\%\;RH,\;0.lm/s;\;25^{\circ}C,\;50\%\;RH,\;0.4m/s;\;25^{\circ}C,\;75\%\;RH,\;0.1m/s;\;and\;27^{\circ}C,\;50\%\;RH,\;0.1m\s$ (respectively temperature, relative humidity, and wind velocity). Skin temperature, core temperature, heart rate variability (HRV), and galvanic skin response (GSR) were measured for each subject Additionally, subjects were asked about comfort through the questionnaire. Results: From the viewpoint of external temperature sensibility, in all experimental environments, generally the Taeum type feels hotter and the Soeum feels colder than other types. In relative comfort, Soeum types were most sensitive to wind velocity change. From the viewpoint of body temperature, Taeum type was lower and Soyang was higher than other types. The measurements of HRV and GSR showed no difference between the types. Conclusion : The four sasang constitution types showed different responses to various thermal environmental conditions. Accordingly, our research could provide basic data for building the optimal thermal conditions for individuals based on sasang constitution. Consequently, it will help to build a healthy environment for everyday life.