The Effects of Core Temperature Elevation and Thermal Sensation on Performance

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Abstract
A liquid-condition suit was used to obtain a state of raised body temperature in conjunction with skin temperatures compatible with sensations of thermal comfort. This condition produced a similar increase in speed of performance on a high-level reasoning test which has been found in previous experiments, but no decrement in score. Head cooling was included as a separate variable but appeared to have no additional effects on the speed or level of performance. It is suggested that deep body temperature may determine the speed, and comfort the level, of performance and that the technique of differentially heating body core and skin should prove a useful tool for further research.