From open plan to cooler meeting rooms (and back): Evidence of sex-specific psychophysiological responses to indoor–indoor transitions

Indoor thermal transitions are common in offices but remain understudied, especially considering their potential sex-specific effects on occupants’ thermoregulation and thermal perceptions. This study investigated thermophysiological and perceptual responses to indoor-to-indoor transitions in a living lab. Twelve participants (six males, six females) completed three experimental rounds, each involving step-changes from a warmer open-plan office (PMV 0.46 ± 0.24) to a cooler meeting room (PMV –0.43 ± 0.35), and back. Skin temperatures, heart rate, thermal sensation, and thermal pleasure were continuously monitored, and the JOS-3 thermoregulation model was applied to simulate and compare predicted thermal dynamics. Results revealed pronounced sex-specific differences: females exhibited stronger distal-to-proximal gradients and lower hand temperatures than males, persisting even after returning to the warmer environment. These patterns indicate that routine indoor transitions can induce temporal and spatial alliesthesia that differ between sexes. Regarding thermal perceptions, females displayed larger overshoots in thermal sensation when entering cooler spaces, consistent with their skin heat loss. Thermal pleasure was slightly lower in females across both transitions, while the cooler room elicited higher pleasure in both sexes, likely reflecting occupants’ expectations in hot climates. Comparisons with JOS-3 simulations indicated accurate capture of overall thermal dynamics but underestimation of sex-specific distal cooling. These findings underscore the importance of considering sex-specific thermophysiological responses in indoor environments and support the development of adaptive comfort strategies and refined physiological models.