| Keywords |
Thermal sensitivity; Body temperature; Thermal comfort; Obesity; Gender difference |
| Abstract |
The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of gender, obesity, and subcutaneous fat on regional cutaneous warm and cold sensitivity. A total of 52 male and female subjects were recruited and classified into four groups by gender and obesity based on the fat percentage of 25% and 30% for men and women, respectively. Cutaneous warm and cold sensitivity was measured on ten body regions, using a method of limit together with the measurements of regional skinfold thickness. The results indicated no significant interaction between gender and obesity while women exhibiting a higher sensitivity to both cold and warm stimuli than men. However, thermal sensitivity was not significantly associated with skinfold thickness on most regions of the body in men and women. In conclusion, women were more sensitive to both cold and warm stimuli than men. Obesity and local subcutaneous fat appeared not to influence regional thermal sensitivity. Further research is warranted to confirm the effects of obesity and local subcutaneous fat on regional thermal sensitivity. |