Applied Ergonomics最新文献

{"title":"Physical loads on upper extremity muscles while interacting with virtual objects in an augmented reality context","authors":"Chae Heon Lim ,&nbsp;Min Chul Cha ,&nbsp;Seul Chan Lee","doi":"10.1016/j.apergo.2024.104340","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.apergo.2024.104340","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Augmented reality (AR) environments are emerging as prominent user interfaces and gathering significant attention. However, the associated physical strain on the users presents a considerable challenge. Within this background, this study explores the impact of movement distance (MD) and target-to-user distance (TTU) on the physical load during drag-and-drop (DND) tasks in an AR environment. To address this objective, a user experiment was conducted utilizing a 5× 5 within-subject design with MD (16, 32, 48, 64, and 80 cm) and TTU (40, 80, 120, 160, and 200 cm) as the variables. Physical load was assessed using normalized electromyography (NEMG) (%MVC) indicators of the upper extremity muscles and the physical item of NASA-Task load index (TLX). The results revealed significant variations in the physical load based on MD and TTU. Specifically, both the NEMG and subjective physical workload values increased with increasing MD. Moreover, NEMG increased with decreasing TTU, whereas the subjective physical workload scores increased with increasing TTU. Interaction effects of MD and TTU on NEMG were also significantly observed. These findings suggest that considering the MD and TTU when developing content for interacting with AR objects in AR environments could potentially alleviate user load.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":55502,"journal":{"name":"Applied Ergonomics","volume":"120 ","pages":"Article 104340"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2024-07-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141535999","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":"Firefighter uncompensable heat stress results in excessive upper body temperatures measured by infrared thermography: Implications for cooling strategies","authors":"Cory J. Coehoorn,&nbsp;Patrick St. Martin,&nbsp;Jonathan Teran,&nbsp;Hannah Cowart,&nbsp;Landon Waite,&nbsp;Shelby Newman","doi":"10.1016/j.apergo.2024.104342","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.apergo.2024.104342","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>This research sought to evaluate the thermal zones of the upper body and firefighter personal protective equipment (PPE) immediately following uncompensable heat stress (0.03 °C increase/min). We hypothesized that the frontal portion of the head and the inside of the firefighter helmet would be the hottest as measured by infrared thermography. This hypothesis was due to previous research demonstrating that the head accounts for ∼8–10% of the body surface area, but it accounts for ∼20% of the overall body heat dissipation during moderate exercise. Twenty participants performed a 21-min graded treadmill exercise protocol (Altered Modified Naughton) in an environmental chamber (35 °C, 50 % humidity) in firefighter PPE. The body areas analyzed were the frontal area of the head, chest, abdomen, arm, neck, upper back, and lower back. The areas of the PPE that were analyzed were the inside of the helmet and the jacket. The hottest areas of the body post-exercise were the frontal area of the head (mean: 37.3 ± 0.4 °C), chest (mean: 37.5 ± 0.3 °C), and upper back (mean: 37.3 ± 0.4 °C). The coldest area of the upper body was the abdomen (mean: 36.1 ± 0.4 °C). The peak temperature of the inside of the helmet increased (p &lt; 0.001) by 9.8 °C from 27.7 ± 1.6 °C to 37.4 ± 0.7 °C, and the inside of the jacket increased (p &lt; 0.001) by 7.3 °C from 29.2 ± 1.7 °C to 36.5 ± 0.4 °C. The results of this study are relevant for cooling strategies for firefighters.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":55502,"journal":{"name":"Applied Ergonomics","volume":"120 ","pages":"Article 104342"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2024-07-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141499714","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":"Adapting to the human: A systematic review of a decade of human factors research on adaptive autonomy","authors":"Allyson I. Hauptman,&nbsp;Christopher Flathmann,&nbsp;Nathan J. McNeese","doi":"10.1016/j.apergo.2024.104336","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.apergo.2024.104336","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>This systematic review provides an understanding of existing human factors research on adaptive autonomy, its design, its impacts, and its definition. We conducted a search on <em>adaptive autonomy</em> and additional relevant search terms in four databases, which produced an initial 245 articles. The application of inclusion and exclusion criteria produced a total of 60 articles for in-depth review. Through a collaborative coding process and analysis, we extracted triggers for and types of autonomy adaptations, as well as human factors dependent variables that have been studied in previous adaptive autonomy research. Based on this analysis, we present a definition of <em>adaptive autonomy</em> for use in human factors artificial intelligence research, as well as a comprehensive review of existing research contributions, notable research gaps, and the application of adaptive autonomy.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":55502,"journal":{"name":"Applied Ergonomics","volume":"120 ","pages":"Article 104336"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2024-06-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141460940","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":"Effect of two dynamic seat cushions on postural shift, trunk muscle activation and spinal discomfort in office workers","authors":"Sirinant Channak ,&nbsp;Erwin M. Speklé ,&nbsp;Allard J. van der Beek ,&nbsp;Prawit Janwantanakul","doi":"10.1016/j.apergo.2024.104337","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apergo.2024.104337","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>We investigated the effect of two dynamic seat cushions on postural shift, trunk muscle activation and spinal discomfort. In this repeated-measures study, 30 healthy office workers were randomly assigned to a sequence of three conditions: sitting on a dynamic seat cushion-A, cushion-B and control (no seat cushion). The two dynamic seat cushions had different inflation levels. Participants typed a standard text for an hour and were monitored for postural shift by using a seat pressure mat, transversus abdominis/internal oblique and lumbar multifidus muscles activity by using surface EMG, spinal discomfort by using Borg's CR-10 scale. Two-way repeated ANOVAs showed no statistically significant interaction effects between condition and time on postural shift and muscle activation. Post hoc Bonferroni tests showed that postural shifts and lumbar multifidus activation during sitting on cushion-A were significantly higher (p &lt; 0.01) than in the control and cushion-B conditions. Both cushions reduced spinal discomfort, compared to the control condition (p &lt; 0.05).</p></div>","PeriodicalId":55502,"journal":{"name":"Applied Ergonomics","volume":"120 ","pages":"Article 104337"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2024-06-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141333382","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":"Perceived impacts of stressful events on train driver performance","authors":"N.T. Liddell ,&nbsp;P.M. Salmon ,&nbsp;A. Naweed ,&nbsp;G.J.M. Read","doi":"10.1016/j.apergo.2024.104335","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apergo.2024.104335","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Acute stress exposure can significantly impact a train driver's capacity to maintain safe train operations. However, research examining how train drivers perceive the impacts of acute stressors is limited. This study investigated train driver perceptions regarding performance impacts of stressful events and potential strategies for reducing negative impacts. 71 Australian train drivers were presented with three stressful event scenarios via an online survey and asked to rate the impacts on driving performance. Results showed that participants perceived that stress would enhance performance, but that impacts differed depending on the event type. The findings suggest that train drivers may not be subjectively aware of negative impacts of acute stress, which has important practical implications for risk management following an incident. Qualitative results revealed the most frequently reported stress impact related to cognition. Practical implications and future research directions to prevent and manage stressful event exposure are discussed.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":55502,"journal":{"name":"Applied Ergonomics","volume":"120 ","pages":"Article 104335"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2024-06-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0003687024001121/pdfft?md5=96bbc5594de292f7468847fd8b762dfb&pid=1-s2.0-S0003687024001121-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141328688","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Road to serenity: Individual variations in the efficacy of unobtrusive respiratory guidance for driving stress regulation","authors":"A.J. Béquet ,&nbsp;C. Jallais ,&nbsp;J. Quick ,&nbsp;D. Ndiaye ,&nbsp;A.R. Hidalgo-Muñoz","doi":"10.1016/j.apergo.2024.104334","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.apergo.2024.104334","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Stress impacts driving-related cognitive functions like attention and decision-making, and may arise in automated vehicles due to non-driving tasks. Unobtrusive relaxation techniques are needed to regulate stress without distracting from driving. Tactile wearables have shown efficacy in stress regulation through respiratory guidance, but individual variations may affect their efficacy.</p><p>This study assessed slow-breathing tactile guidance under different stress levels on 85 participants. Physiological, behavioral and subjective data were collected. The influence of individual variations (e.g., driving habits and behavior, personality) using logistic regression analysis was explored.</p><p>Participants could follow the guidance and adjust breathing while driving, but subjective efficacy depended on individual variations linked to different efficiency in using the technique, in relation with its attentional cost. An influence of factors linked to the evaluation of context criticality was also found.</p><p>The results suggest that considering individual and contextual variations is crucial in designing and using such techniques in demanding driving contexts. In this line some design recommendations and insights for further studies are provided.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":55502,"journal":{"name":"Applied Ergonomics","volume":"120 ","pages":"Article 104334"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2024-06-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141322120","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":"A year-long case study of multicomponent interventions to promote physical activity in office workers: A randomized control trial","authors":"Alec Gonzales ,&nbsp;Jia-Hua Lin ,&nbsp;Jackie S. Cha","doi":"10.1016/j.apergo.2024.104333","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.apergo.2024.104333","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The purpose of this study was to identify if workplace interventions, (i.e., mindfulness classes and monetary incentives for gym attendance), influenced workers’ physical activity. Office-based participants were randomized into one of four intervention assignments: 1) CONTROL (no interventions) (<em>n</em> = 40), 2) MINDFULNESS (<em>n</em> = 33), 3) GYM INCENTIVE (<em>n</em> = 41), or 4) BOTH mindfulness and gym incentive (<em>n</em> = 31). Activity-tracker and self-reported metabolic expenditure and step counts were gathered between January 2020 and December 2020 whereas the eight-week long interventions were provided between January and March 2020, when the impact of COVID-19 pandemic started. While physical activity decreased during the follow-up months, percent changes of physical activity at 1-, 2-, and 9-month follow-ups compared to baseline show no significant differences between or across the four intervention assignments (<em>p</em> &gt; 0.05). These results suggest that the intervention assignments had no effect on physical activity from baseline. The lack of effectiveness of these interventions on participant physical activity could be attributed to the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic, and any effects of the interventions could not outweigh the effects of the pandemic.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":55502,"journal":{"name":"Applied Ergonomics","volume":"120 ","pages":"Article 104333"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2024-06-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141322118","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":"Design and evaluation of the OmniSuit: A passive occupational exoskeleton for back and shoulder support","authors":"Rachel van Sluijs ,&nbsp;Tamina Scholtysik ,&nbsp;Annina Brunner ,&nbsp;Laura Kuoni ,&nbsp;Dario Bee ,&nbsp;Melanie Kos ,&nbsp;Volker Bartenbach ,&nbsp;Olivier Lambercy","doi":"10.1016/j.apergo.2024.104332","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.apergo.2024.104332","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Many physically straining occupations involve lifting movements over the full-vertical range of motion, which over time may lead to the development of musculoskeletal injuries. To address this, occupational exoskeletons can be designed to provide meaningful support to the back and shoulders during lifting movements.</p><p>This paper introduces the main functional design features of the OmniSuit, a novel passive occupational exoskeleton. We present the technical and biomechanical considerations for the expected support level, as well as an evaluation of the physiological benefit and usability of the exoskeleton in a sample of 31 healthy volunteers performing physically demanding tasks in a laboratory setting.</p><p>The OmniSuit exoskeleton significantly reduced Deltoid, Trapezius and Erector Spinae muscle activity between 4.1%MVC and 15.7%MVC when lifting a 2.5<!--> <!-->kg weight above shoulder level (p<!--> <!-->&lt;<!--> <!-->0.001), corresponding to a reduction of up to 49.1% compared to without exoskeleton. A position-dependent reduction of Erector Spinae muscle activity was observed (p<!--> <!-->&lt;<!--> <!-->0.001), with reductions ranging between 4.6%MVC and 14.0%MVC during leaning and squatting, corresponding to a reduction up to 41.5% compared to without exoskeleton. The measured muscular support and the predicted support torque based on the biomechanical model were found to show a similar profile for those phases of the movement which are most straining to the shoulder and back muscles. Participants reported experiencing good device usability and minimal discomfort (&lt;1/10) in the shoulder and back during task execution with exoskeleton support.</p><p>These first results validate that the considered biomechanical model helped design an ergonomic and efficient exoskeleton, and confirm the potential of such wearable assistive devices to provide support over multiple joints during physically demanding tasks.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":55502,"journal":{"name":"Applied Ergonomics","volume":"120 ","pages":"Article 104332"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2024-06-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0003687024001091/pdfft?md5=79bfd80df5a992de26a2f5048f327c9d&pid=1-s2.0-S0003687024001091-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141322119","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The UK VIRTUS helmet: User feedback from Operation TORAL in Afghanistan","authors":"J. Breeze ,&nbsp;J. Davis ,&nbsp;R. Coates ,&nbsp;C. Abbott ,&nbsp;P. Evans ,&nbsp;E.A. Lewis","doi":"10.1016/j.apergo.2024.104323","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.apergo.2024.104323","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>In 2015, the VIRTUS helmet was introduced to UK Armed Forces and will ultimately replace the Mark 7 combat helmet. The VIRTUS helmet has a reduced trimline compared to the Mark 7 helmet and can incorporate attachments such as a visor, mandible guard and nape protection.</p><p>An anonymous questionnaire was provided to 200 UK Armed Forces personnel deployed to four locations on Operation TORAL in Afghanistan between September and October 2019. This is the first User feedback survey assessing the VIRTUS helmet in an operational environment.</p><p>Users were measured to ascertain the fit of their helmet and asked to rate perceived helmet mass and comfort using a 5-point Likert scale. Users were also asked whether the VIRTUS helmet was better than previous helmets and about their use of the nape protection. The VIRTUS helmet was perceived to be an improvement over previously issued UK combat helmets in terms of both comfort and mass.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":55502,"journal":{"name":"Applied Ergonomics","volume":"119 ","pages":"Article 104323"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2024-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141200413","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":"Influence of floor inclination on handle push and pull forces production of the upper limb","authors":"Matthieu Abautret ,&nbsp;Benjamin Goislard De Monsabert ,&nbsp;Chantal Maïs ,&nbsp;Guillaume Rao","doi":"10.1016/j.apergo.2024.104322","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.apergo.2024.104322","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Floor inclination can alter hand force production, and lower limb kinetics, affecting control operations, and threatening operator safety in various domains, such as aviation, naval, construction industry, or agriculture. This study investigates the effects of different floor inclinations, on handle push or pull force production. Participants performed maximal isometric contraction tasks requiring to exert a maximal voluntary force either by pulling or pushing a handle, at different floor inclinations from −30° to +30° about the transverse and longitudinal axes. Maximal hand force and Ground Reaction Forces about both feet were recorded. The results revealed non-equivalent variations in hand and feet responses as a function of inclination angle. Specifically, there was a significant reduction in handle push-pull force production, up to 70% (p &lt; 0.001) for extreme inclinations, around both axes. This study provides critical data for design engineers, highlighting the challenge of production forces at steep angles.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":55502,"journal":{"name":"Applied Ergonomics","volume":"119 ","pages":"Article 104322"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2024-05-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0003687024000991/pdfft?md5=347a9154ae13beee1ad3268b3fd66656&pid=1-s2.0-S0003687024000991-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141186893","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}