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Background sound pressure fluctuations (5 DB) from overhead ventilation systems increase subjective fatigue of university students during three-hour lectures
Resource type
Journal Article
Authors/contributors
- Persinger, M. A. (Author)
- Tiller, S. G. (Author)
- Koren, S. A. (Author)
Title
Background sound pressure fluctuations (5 DB) from overhead ventilation systems increase subjective fatigue of university students during three-hour lectures
Abstract
During each of four successive sessions (once per week), 21 university students attended 3-hr. lectures. During alternative weeks the fans of the room's ventilation system were either on or off. When operating, they generated an average sound pressure that varied continuously between 60 and 65 dB. The dominant frequency of this 5-dB amplitude modulation of sound pressure was within the electroencephalographic range (5 Hz to 25 Hz). At the end of each hour of the lecture for each session each student estimated on 7-point summated rating scales fatigue (none to maximum) and concentration (poor to excellent). As a group, the students reported more fatigue during lectures when the fans were operating relative to lectures when the fans were not operating. This environmental effect explained about 30% of the variance in fatigue ratings and may be sufficient to affect adversely the attention of students within these settings.
Publication
Perceptual and Motor Skills
Volume
88
Issue
2
Pages
451-456
Date
1999-04
Journal Abbr
Percept Mot Skills
Language
eng
ISSN
0031-5125
Library Catalogue
PubMed
Extra
PMID: 10483638
Citation
Persinger, M. A., Tiller, S. G., & Koren, S. A. (1999). Background sound pressure fluctuations (5 DB) from overhead ventilation systems increase subjective fatigue of university students during three-hour lectures. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 88(2), 451–456. https://doi.org/10.2466/pms.1999.88.2.451
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