Effect of floor surface temperature on blood flow and skin temperature in the foot

摘要

A total of 16 healthy college students participated as subjects to elucidate the hypothesis that blood flow and skin temperature in foot are affected by the floor surface temperature. The floor surface temperature was controlled by varying the temperature of water (t_w) flowing underneath the floor, and it ranged from t_w 15 to 40℃ at 5℃ intervals. The blood flow rate was measured in the dorsal right toe, and skin temperatures were measured for 60 min at 8 points: the neck, right scapular, left hand, right shin, left bottom of the toe, right instep, left finger, and rectum. The blood flow rate in the foot tissue was increased until the foot skin temperature warmed up to 34℃ (P = 0.000). The final skin temperatures on the bottom of the toe were 19.4 ± 2.44℃ for t_w 15℃, 22.4 ± 2.45 ℃ for t_w 20℃, 24.8 ± 2.80℃ for t_w 25℃, 27.7 ± 2.13℃ for t_w 30℃, 30.6 ± 2.06℃ for t_w 35℃, 33.2 ± 1.45℃ for t_w 40℃, 34.2 ± 1.55℃ for t_w 45℃, and 35.2 ± 1.65℃ for t_w 50℃. Considering blood flow and comfort, the partial floor heating system is suggested and the recommended floor surface temperature range is 27-33℃.