Effects of hot and cold temperature exposure on performance: a meta-analytic review

• Published in: Ergonomics Vol. 45; no. 10; pp. 682 - 698
• Main Authors: Pilcher, June J., Nadler, Eric, Busch, Caroline
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Taylor & Francis Group 15.08.2002; Washington, DC Taylor & Francis; Taylor & Francis LLC
• Subjects: Adaptation, Physiological; Applied physiology; Biological and medical sciences; Cold Temperature; Effects; Environmental Conditions; Environmental Exposure; Ergonomics; Ergonomics. Work place. Occupational physiology; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Hot Temperature; Human physiology applied to population studies and life conditions. Human ecophysiology; Humans; Medical sciences; Meta-ANALYSIS; Systematic review; Task Performance and Analysis; Temperature; Thermoregulation. Hibernation. Estivation. Ecophysiology and environmental effects; United States; Vertebrates: anatomy and physiology, studies on body, several organs or systems; United States; Human; Heat; Temperature; Cold; Environmental factor; Occupational exposure; Performance; Metaanalysis; Environmental conditions; Meta-analysis
• ISSN: 0014-0139; 1366-5847
• DOI: 10.1080/00140130210158419

A meta-analysis to mathematically summarize the effect of hot and cold temperature exposure on performance was completed. The results from 515 effect sizes calculated from 22 original studies suggest that hot and cold temperatures negatively impact performance on a wide range of cognitive-related tasks. More specifically, hot temperatures of 90°F (32.22°C) Web Bulb Globe Temperature Index or above and cold temperatures of 50°F (10°C) or less resulted in the greatest decrement in performance in comparison to neutral temperature conditions (14.88% decrement and 13.91% decrement, respectively). Furthermore, the duration of exposure to the experimental temperature, the duration of exposure to the experimental temperature prior to the task onset, the type of task and the duration of the task had di ff erential e ff ects on performance. The current results indicate that hot and cold temperature exposure have a negative impact on performance and that other variables (e.g., length of exposure to the temperature or task duration) may modify this relationship.