2007, Piran, Slovenia

38
33
28
23
18
0 30 60 90 120 150
min
Figure 3. The surface temperature (left) and humidity (right) underneath mattress
LH
MH
HH
kPa
4.5
Clothing
2
LH
1.5
MH
1
0.5
HH
0 30 60 90
min
120 150
These clear differences were obtained because the degree of contact of the mattress
with the back area of the body was much stronger than that of the quilt, suggesting
that the insensible perspiration from the skin was directly absorbed into the wool
wadding. The experiment was performed under the neutral or slightly cool
environment, so that the participants’ first thermal sensation vote was similar.
However, at the end of the experiment some of them actually felt hot-very hot by the
end of the experiment. Although HH was not always voted warmest, a small amount
of perspiration might accelerate the wool heat sorption phenomenon. MH and LH
results varied according to the individual. Further data analysis is necessary to obtain
an explanation of this difference of experimental materials among participants.
DISCUSSION
We investigated different hygroscopic wadding materials on body temperature
regulation and bed microclimate in a mild environment. Heat and moisture transfer
from the body to wool mattress differed from the other two wadding materials during
the bedrest experiment. Although mattress material seemed to have the biggest effect
on a comfortable sleeping environment, variation in the commercial standards of the
futon do not allow clearer results. A nocturnal experiment is needed to make a clearer
evaluation concerning the high-quality sleeping environment.
REFERENCES
Imamura, R., & Nakatani, K., 2000. Preventive effect of air mattress for decubitus
upon bed climate compared with cotton and polyester wadded mattresses. Bulletin
of the Faculty of Education Wakayama University, Natural Science, 50, 49-56. In
Japanese with an English abstract.
Tokura, H., Ono, A. & Tatsuo, S., 1981. Effects of the sleeping mat upon sweating
responses in man. Jpn. J. Home Economics, 32 (1), 47-52. In Japanese with an
English abstract.
Tokura, H, & Imamura, R., 1987. Effects of electrically heated blanket placed on
sleeping mat upon thermoregulatory responses of women during night sleep at an
ambient temperature of 9 ºC. Int. J. Biometeor., 31(1), 1-7.
4
3.5
3
2.5
161