THE AIR QUALITY AND THERMAL COMFORT IN A WOMEN’S FITNESS CENTER IN BANDA ACEH

Abstract

This study aims to evaluate the current air quality conditions and temperature comfort at the Zumba Wawa Barata women's fitness centre in Banda Aceh. The method used is quantitative descriptive through direct field measurement of temperature, air humidity level, CO₂ content, PM₂.₅ concentration, and calculation of the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) index, accompanied by a survey of user comfort perceptions. Measurement results show that the temperature in the gym and exercise room reaches 35–39 °C, exceeding the ASHRAE 55 comfortable standard, which sets the range at 22–26 °C. The humidity level is recorded in the range of 50–70%, slightly exceeding the ideal limit of 30–60%, while the CO₂ level (381–435 ppm) is still within the safe threshold of ASHRAE 62.1 (≤1000 ppm). PM₂.₅ concentration experiences a drastic surge to >800 µg/m³ during peak hours (16:00–18:00), far exceeding the WHO standard of 25 µg/m³ (24 hours) and indicating very unhealthy air quality due to the accumulation of dust particles, sweat, and a less-than-optimal air circulation system. The WBGT index shows a value of 28–30.7 °C, exceeding the NIOSH limit of 26–28 °C, indicating a risk of heat stress during moderate to high-intensity activities. The conclusion of this study indicates that the air quality and temperature comfort conditions at the fitness centre do not yet meet health and comfort standards. The recommendations provided include improving the natural and mechanical ventilation systems, regulating the number of participants per training session, and regularly monitoring air quality to create a healthy and comfortable exercise environment for women.