International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics最新文献

{"title":"Analysis of driver's physiological responses and task load in curved and spiral tunnels: A naturalistic driving experiment","authors":"Lei Han ,&nbsp;Zhigang Du","doi":"10.1016/j.ergon.2024.103664","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ergon.2024.103664","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study aims to analyze the physiological responses and task load of drivers in curved and spiral tunnels. Spiral tunnels, a unique solution for complex terrains, exhibit distinct geometric and functional characteristics compared to curved tunnels. Despite advances in spiral tunnel design in China, concerns about driver safety persist. The research recruited 30 participants to conduct naturalistic driving experiments in curved and spiral tunnels. By analyzing heart rate variability (HRV) indices and using factor analysis, four HRV indices (HR, SDNN, LF/HF, SampEn) were selected as primary indicators. Results from statistical analysis showed that drivers had a significantly higher average heart rate (HR) in spiral tunnels compared to curved tunnels (F(1,1198) = 593.29, p &lt; 0.01), indicating greater psychological stress and physiological burden. The standard deviation of NN intervals (SDNN) was lower in spiral tunnels (F(1,1198) = 868.18, p &lt; 0.01), suggesting reduced heart rate variability and a more dominant sympathetic tone. The ratio of low-frequency power to high-frequency power (LF/HF) was higher in spiral tunnels (F(1,1198) = 419.85, p &lt; 0.01), indicating increased sympathetic nervous system activity. Additionally, the sample entropy (SampEn) of the electrocardiogram was lower in spiral tunnels (F(1,1198) = 1595.05, p &lt; 0.01), suggesting a decrease in the complexity of the ECG signal and a weaker autonomic nerve regulation ability of the heart. Subjective task load evaluation using the NASA-TLX scale further revealed that drivers experienced a higher task load across various dimensions such as mental demand, physical demand, temporal demand, effort, frustration, and performance in spiral tunnels. In summary, this study provides valuable insights into the physiological and psychological responses of drivers in curved and spiral tunnels, contributing to optimizing tunnel design, improving driver education and training, and enhancing tunnel safety and the overall driving experience.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50317,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics","volume":"104 ","pages":"Article 103664"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2024-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142657155","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Assessing the link between occupational risk factors, work-related musculoskeletal disorders and quality of work life: An analysis using PLS-SEM","authors":"Jonhatan Magno Norte da Silva ,&nbsp;Lucas Gomes Miranda Bispo ,&nbsp;Wilza Karla dos Santos Leite ,&nbsp;Elarama Marama de Araujo Vieira ,&nbsp;Alexandre Henrique Silva Lisboa ,&nbsp;Rafaela de Sá Teixeira","doi":"10.1016/j.ergon.2024.103658","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ergon.2024.103658","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This article aimed to test the hypotheses of a complex model considering the chain relationship between occupational risk factors, work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) symptoms, and Quality of Work Life (QWL) perceived by workers. We assessed psychosocial risk factors utilizing items from the Job Content Questionnaire, the Effort-Reward Imbalance Questionnaire, and the Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire II. The biomechanical factors analyzed included poor trunk and upper limb postures, excessive lifting, and prolonged standing. Organizational factors evaluated were monotonous work, tight deadlines, and low stimulation for teamwork. Using the Nordic and Walton Questionnaires, we assessed workers’ perceptions of WMSD symptoms and QWL. We constructed the model using the Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) approach. The measurement model assessed reliability (composite reliability) and validity tests (average variance extracted, Heterotrait-Monotrait ratio of correlations method, and Fornell-Larcker criterion). The structural model analyzed direct and indirect paths between factors and tested the hypotheses (bootstrapping method). Results indicate that most biomechanical factors affect WMSDs mediated by physical work demands. Physical work demands have a direct impact on WMSDs and stress. Good psychosocial conditions alleviate stress, reduce WMSD symptoms, and increase QWL. Harmful organizational factors acted indirectly on WRMSDs, amplifying stress perception. Finally, WMSDs worsen QWL. We concluded that the model is valid with satisfactory psychometrics for measuring and relating risk factors, WMSDs, and QWL, providing insights that can guide professionals and researchers in planning and implementing actions to prevent risks and WMSD symptoms and improve QWL.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50317,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics","volume":"104 ","pages":"Article 103658"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2024-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142553539","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The effect of a passive shoulder exoskeleton on a sensorimotor task when performed above and at shoulder height","authors":"Jianyang Tang ,&nbsp;Dongjoon Kong ,&nbsp;Leia Stirling","doi":"10.1016/j.ergon.2024.103668","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ergon.2024.103668","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Exoskeletons have emerged as an opportunity for reducing work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSD) for industry workers. However, it is not clear how these exoskeletons will affect task or work-related performance. In this study, the effect of task height and the presence of a shoulder-support exoskeleton on sensorimotor performance was examined. Participants (n = 24) performed a sensorimotor multidirectional tapping task using a grip tool under two task heights (at shoulder, 40° above shoulder) and exoskeleton presence (present, absent). Results support that accuracy, error rate, and precision were not affected by task height and exoskeleton presence, while movement time (3.7% average movement time increase at shoulder height and 9.7% average movement time increase above shoulder height with exoskeleton presence) and throughput (3.3% average throughput decrease at shoulder height and 7.3% average throughput decrease at above shoulder height with exoskeleton presence) were affected when the exoskeleton was present. Results also support that the perceived discomfort, fatigue, and workload were influenced by task height and exoskeleton presence. This study expands understanding of the effect of a passive exoskeleton during a sensorimotor assessment task, which provides added context for industry decision-making on using exoskeletons as a method to mitigate WMSDs and motivates future design recommendations for exoskeletons.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50317,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics","volume":"104 ","pages":"Article 103668"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2024-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142697793","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Research on similarity bias in dual objective visual search based on nuclear power human-machine interface icons","authors":"Yuqi He ,&nbsp;Xiaoli Wu ,&nbsp;Xingcan Yang ,&nbsp;Zexi Fang ,&nbsp;Qian Li ,&nbsp;Yongqiang Huang ,&nbsp;Zhiyu Wang ,&nbsp;Yue Luo ,&nbsp;Jiaqi Zhou ,&nbsp;Donglin Yu","doi":"10.1016/j.ergon.2024.103656","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ergon.2024.103656","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Using icons from nuclear power interface as the research object, this study explored how icon similarity affected the performance of dual objective visual search. Firstly, the process of generating similarity bias was described from the perspective of human cognitive processing. The feature attributes of nuclear power icons were extracted, and then associated and mapped with similarity bias attributes. Secondly, a total of 16 instruction icons, device icons, and component icons were selected to propose icon coding logic for different similarity dimensions, and similarity experimental materials were designed. Finally, a dual objective search experiment with a 4 × 4 matrix was conducted to explore the impact of graph similarity on search performance and to determine the priority of perceptual similarity, semantic similarity, and memory similarity. High-level (H) similarity between the two targets resulted in superior visual search performance (p = 0.01 between the response times of similarity high and medium/low). Improving experiential familiarity enhanced search performance in cases of low-level (L) (p = 0.021) and medium-level (M) (p ≤ 0.009) icon similarity, but had no significant impact on search performance in cases of high-level (H) similarity (p ≥ 0.269). Compared to semantic similarity, enhancing perceptual similarity was more likely to improve search performance(p = 0.024).</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50317,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics","volume":"104 ","pages":"Article 103656"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2024-10-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142536004","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The impact of camera-monitor system viewing angles on drivers’ distance perception: A simulated driving study","authors":"Yingying Pang ,&nbsp;Hongting Li ,&nbsp;Shu Ma ,&nbsp;Xinkui Hu ,&nbsp;Zhen Yang","doi":"10.1016/j.ergon.2024.103657","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ergon.2024.103657","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Camera-monitor systems (CMS) are increasingly used in driving. CMS separates the driver's sight line from the camera view, due to the lack of mirror reflection, only changing the camera's visual axis angle may affect the driver's rear view perception. While previous research has explored camera height and field of view, the effects of horizontal and vertical viewing angles alone remain unclear. This study aimed to evaluate how the horizontal viewing angle and vertical viewing angle of CMS camera affect distance estimation and car-following tasks. By changing the horizontal and vertical viewing angle, different self-vehicle references and horizon positions were formed in the image. Two experiments were conducted with the CMS around the steering wheel (Experiment 1) and at the bottom of the A-pillar (Experiment 2). Independent variables were the horizontal viewing angle (reference scale: 1/4, 1/3, 1/2) and vertical viewing angle (horizon position: 1/2, 1/3). Dependent variables included distance estimation error ratio and following distance. Experiment 1 demonstrated a significant interaction effect: a smaller reference scale and higher horizon position reduced distance underestimation. Additionally, a smaller reference scale for the participants' self-vehicle resulted in shorter following distances. In Experiment 2, the distance estimation outcomes on the left display aligned with those of Experiment 1; however, the influence of the viewing angle was diminished on the right display. The study suggests CMS design should balance vehicle reference inclusion with environmental cues, enhancing distance perception and driving safety. The consistency between CMS design and driver familiarity also needs to be considered.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50317,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics","volume":"104 ","pages":"Article 103657"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2024-10-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142536003","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effects of passive shoulder-support exoskeleton entity and support force on user range of motion under external loads","authors":"Tiejun Ma,&nbsp;Shuping Xiong","doi":"10.1016/j.ergon.2024.103655","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ergon.2024.103655","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study investigates the effects of a passive shoulder-support exoskeleton entity and support force on the range of motion (ROM) of the shoulder and trunk. Twenty-six healthy participants underwent ROM assessments across three exoskeleton setting conditions (without the exoskeleton; wearing the exoskeleton but the support force deactivated; wearing the exoskeleton with the support force activated) and three external load conditions (0 kg, 3 kg, and 6 kg). Results show that while the exoskeleton entity constrained the shoulder ROM (vertical abduction/adduction, flexion/extension, and horizontal abduction/adduction) and trunk ROM (lateral flexion and rotation), the support force partially alleviated this constraint. External loads primarily restricted the mobility of the shoulder but not the trunk. Interaction effects revealed the complex interplay between external loads and exoskeleton settings on ROM and perceived difficulty, particularly in shoulder vertical abduction/adduction. This study underscores the necessity of considering exoskeleton entity, support force, and external loads in optimizing user joint mobility.</div><div>The industrial exoskeleton represents a promising solution for enhancing workplace safety and productivity by mitigating work-related musculoskeletal disorders. This study assessed the impact of the exoskeleton's entity and support force on joint mobility across different load scenarios. Joint mobility is critical to perform industrial tasks that require high flexibility and agility.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50317,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics","volume":"104 ","pages":"Article 103655"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2024-10-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142432275","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Advancing healthcare equity through human factors engineering","authors":"Myrtede Alfred ,&nbsp;Kristin Tully ,&nbsp;Enid Montague","doi":"10.1016/j.ergon.2024.103654","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ergon.2024.103654","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":50317,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics","volume":"104 ","pages":"Article 103654"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2024-10-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142432274","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Shoulder-assist exoskeleton effects on balance and muscle activity during a block-laying task on a simulated mast climber","authors":"Liying Zheng ,&nbsp;Christopher Pan ,&nbsp;Leonardo Wei ,&nbsp;Hossein Bahreinizad ,&nbsp;Suman Chowdhury ,&nbsp;Xiaopeng Ning ,&nbsp;Felipe Santos","doi":"10.1016/j.ergon.2024.103652","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ergon.2024.103652","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Interest in utilizing exoskeletons to mitigate the risks of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) among construction workers is growing, spurred by encouraging results in other industries. However, it is crucial to carefully examine their impact on workers' stability and balance before implementation. In this study, seven male participants lifted a 35-lb cinder block from a production table to a simulated wall at two heights—elbow and shoulder levels—using three different exoskeleton models on an unstable platform, where their balance and shoulder muscle activity were assessed. Balance-related parameters, included mean distance (MDIST), total excursion (EXCUR), and mean velocity (VEL) of the center of pressure, were derived from force plate data. Muscle activity in six shoulder and upper arm muscles was estimated using electromyography (EMG) data. The results indicated that wearing two of the exoskeletons significantly increased both total and medio-lateral (ML) MDIST compared to not wearing an exoskeleton. Wearing one of the exoskeletons significantly increased total and ML VEL and ML EXCUR. Although lifting level did not have a significant impact on the balance parameters, it did affect the muscle activity in most of the measured muscles. Moreover, only one exoskeleton significantly reduced the activity in a particular shoulder muscle compared to no exoskeleton use. In conclusion, the evaluated shoulder-assist exoskeletons showed limited benefits for preventing upper extremity MSDs and may negatively affect whole-body balance during a block-laying task on an unstable platform. These findings underscore the importance of comprehensive evaluations of balance and effectiveness prior to adopting exoskeletons in construction.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50317,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics","volume":"104 ","pages":"Article 103652"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2024-10-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142425173","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Optimizing E-bike controls for human-bike interaction to enhance riding experience and efficiency","authors":"Sheng-Chieh Yang ,&nbsp;Yun-Ju Lee","doi":"10.1016/j.ergon.2024.103651","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ergon.2024.103651","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>E-bikes are now used for sports, rehabilitation, and work, not just commuting. Riders adjust power assistance and transmission to handle different conditions and reach their desired physical load. This interaction between the rider, bike, and environment can become complex due to faster speeds, shorter response times, and varying conditions, potentially leading to discomfort. A study with 21 non-athletes explored how riders manage the physical load on e-bikes during a simulated indoor riding session with 66 stages of varying slope resistance. Participants controlled the e-bike to maintain a moderate intensity, and data on latency of e-bike control, number of controls, acceptable pedaling power, heart rate, and perceived exertion were collected. On average, riders made their control adjustment 5.3 s after a slope change and used 2.7 control attempts to reach an acceptable pedaling power. The study found that the most acceptable pedaling power were similar across different slopes, suggesting a consistent preferred load. Participants aimed to maintain stable pedaling power despite external disturbances, targeting a moderate exercise intensity (66.9% maximal heart rate and a rate of perceived exertion of 12.1). The findings indicate that it's possible to estimate a personal preferred load, which could inform future studies on maintaining this load and improving the e-bike riding experience in participatory ergonomics.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50317,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics","volume":"104 ","pages":"Article 103651"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2024-09-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142358752","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Impact of mild hypoxia on pilots’ performance and physiological response: A systematic review and experimental study","authors":"Boris Oniscenko ,&nbsp;Vladimir Socha ,&nbsp;Lenka Hanakova ,&nbsp;Jakub Tlapak ,&nbsp;Michal Matowicki","doi":"10.1016/j.ergon.2024.103650","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ergon.2024.103650","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Mild hypoxia in aviation is a well-known phenomenon that affects flight safety, particularly in general aviation. Experimental research on its influence on performance and physiological response has been limited, often yielding contradictory results. This study aimed to deepen the understanding of mild hypoxia's effects on pilots' physiological responses and performance. A systematic review was conducted to synthesize existing knowledge and assess the consistency and generalizability of previous findings. Novel empirical data were then obtained through an experiment designed to focus on cardiac activity and performance under mild hypoxic conditions. Twelve male active military pilots participated in the experiment, which involved two simulated flights under controlled conditions. Unlike previous studies, which have varied significantly in methodology and outcomes, this study employed an approach to isolate the effects of mild hypoxia while simultaneously approximating real flight conditions by using a full flight simulator and a reduced oxygen breathing device. The experiment did not indicate significant performance degradation, while compensatory mechanisms in cardiac activity were observed, specifically in the form of increased heart rate and heart rate variability. These findings contribute to the existing body of knowledge by providing a more consistent methodological framework and highlighting the physiological adaptations to mild hypoxia, serving as a foundation for further investigation into the relationship between mild hypoxia, pilot performance, and physiological response.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50317,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics","volume":"104 ","pages":"Article 103650"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2024-09-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142314574","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}