Thermal Stress and Arousal

Abstract

Two series of experiments were carried out to determine the effect of different body temperatures on two measures of EEG arousal level and thermal comfort. In the first study the hotly temperature was varied systematically within a single experimental session by whole body immersion in a water bath: in the second, the body temperature was maintained at a constant but elevated or depressed level which was varied between sessions. Evidence was obtained which suggested that the arousal level as indicated by both the subjective and EEG records is not determined solely by either the body temperature or ambient conditions but is a resultant of their combined influences.