THE EFFECT OF COLD TEMPERATURE EXPOSURE AND TYPE OF ACTIVITY ON COGNITIVE FUNCTION, PHYSIOLOGICAL RESPONSE, AND THERMAL PERCEPTION IN TROPICAL AREAS

• Main Author: Asmaningrum, Virge
• Format: Theses
• Language: Indonesia
• Online Access: https://digilib.itb.ac.id/gdl/view/86110
• Institution: Institut Teknologi Bandung

Indonesia, as a tropical country, rarely experiences extreme low temperatures of ?10°C. However, jobs such as working in cold storage require exposure to extreme cold. This poses challenges for the health and performance of workers. This study aims to determine the effect of cold exposure and types of activities on cognitive function and physiological responses in individuals living in tropical regions, specifically Indonesia. The method used in this study is an experiment with a within-subject design. Nine healthy males and nine healthy females were exposed to cold (?10°C and 0°C) in a climate chamber for 30 minutes after an initial conditioning phase. During the initial conditioning phase, participants were asked to rest for 10 minutes for recovery after their journey to the laboratory. In the cold room, subjects performed a series of memory, attention, and physical activities. After the cold exposure phase, there was a recovery phase at 26°C for 10 minutes. Heart rate, brain waves, and mental effort during task performance were measured throughout the process using a smartwatch, electroencephalogram, and Rating Scale Mental Effort questionnaire. The results showed that cold temperature significantly affected accuracy and manual performance, with a trend of decreasing values as the temperature decreased. Thermal sensation vote and thermal comfort were significantly affected by cold, indicating that the cold sensation caused discomfort. The RSME scores were significantly influenced by cold temperature, with a trend of increasing RSME scores as the temperature decreased. Heart rate was not affected by cold temperature but was influenced by the type of activity. Beta and alpha brain waves were affected by cold, with both waves decreasing due to cold exposure. The findings of this study can be used to design better training programs and protection policies for workers exposed to extreme cold during activities in tropical environments.