Not surprisingly, a study by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency shows a correlation between room temperature and the ability to concentrate.
The study showed that between 70 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit is the optimum temperature for classroom students. Any lower or higher, and the ability to concentrate suffers. Hot rooms ultimately are worse than cold rooms if you want your audience to stay with you.
What can presenters do about it?
- Get into the room early and find out if you can adjust the temperature
- Make yourself comfortable, and urge your audience to do the same
- Shorten presentations that are in climates you can’t control. Don’t make your audience suffer when they are past being able to retain what you’re telling them