How indoor overheating affects children's bodies and thinking
A Preliminary Study Assessing the Effectiveness of a 26 °C Indoor Temperature Limit on Physiological Responses in Children
This project will test whether keeping indoor air at or below 26 °C (about 45% relative humidity) reduces heat-related physical strain and short-term cognitive changes in children.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 10 (estimated) |
| Ages | 10 Years to 15 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University of Ottawa Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Ottawa, Ontario) |
| Trial ID | NCT07261202 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
Children will be exposed in a controlled setting to simulated indoor overheating conditions and to an indoor environment held at or below 26 °C, with physiological measurements and cognitive testing before, during, and after exposure. The protocol excludes children with chronic health conditions, those engaged in high-volume endurance training, or those with restrictions to physical activity, and requires English or French assent. Investigators will monitor core temperature, heart rate, sweating or other thermoregulatory indicators, and short-term measures of attention and mood to quantify strain. Results will be used to inform practical indoor temperature guidance for child-occupied spaces.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Healthy children who speak English or French, can provide informed assent, do not have chronic health conditions, and are not engaged in heavy endurance training are the ideal candidates.
Not a fit: Children with chronic medical conditions, those who train vigorously for endurance sports, or those who cannot undertake typical physical activity may be excluded and are unlikely to benefit from this protocol.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could support a clear indoor temperature guideline (around 26 °C) to reduce heat-related physiological strain and cognitive effects in children.
How similar studies have performed: While adult studies and observational work in children link heat exposure to physiological and cognitive effects, controlled experimental data in children are limited, so this controlled indoor exposure approach is partly novel.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * English or French speaking. * Ability to provide informed assent. Exclusion Criteria: * Chronic health conditions * Endurance exercise training (greater than 3 sessions of vigorous exercise training per week for 30 minutes or more) * Restrictions to physical activity
Where this trial is running
Ottawa, Ontario
- University of Ottawa — Ottawa, Ontario, Canada (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Glen P Kenny, PhD — University of Ottawa
- Study coordinator: Glen P Kenny, PhD
- Email: gkenny@uottawa.ca
- Phone: 613-562-5800
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.