Energy Efficiency and Indoor Environmental Quality in Sports Halls: A Legislative Comparison of Slovakia and Neighbouring Countries

Indoor environmental quality (IEQ) and energy efficiency in school sports facilities are critical for both user comfort and health, particularly for children. This paper examines and compares legislative frameworks and IEQ requirements in five Central and Eastern European countries-Slovakia, Poland, Czechia, Hungary, and Ukraine-with a focus on ventilation, thermal comfort, and CO2 limits. Despite common references to European standards (e.g., EN 16798), national interpretations vary significantly, and enforcement remains inconsistent. To evaluate how these regulations perform in practice, the study includes experimental measurements conducted in a naturally ventilated school gym in Slovakia. Monitored parameters included air temperature, relative humidity, and CO2 concentration over a three-week period. The results revealed frequent exceedances of recommended thresholds for temperature and CO2, and suboptimal humidity levels-highlighting a gap between regulations and real-world nerformance. The findings emphasize the need for mandatory mechanical ventilation, integration of real-time monitoring systems, and prioritization of vulnerable groups such as children in design and policy. The study concludes with policy recommendations and identifies areas for further research, including expanding international comparisons and evaluating the cost-effectiveness of IEQ interventions.