Applied ErgonomicsPub Date : 2024-11-22DOI: 10.1016/j.apergo.2024.104423
Kiana Kia , Allen Chan , Mina Salehi , Laurel Kincl , Jeong Ho Kim
{"title":"Effects of different block designs on low back and shoulders biomechanical loads and postural stability during crab pot handling","authors":"Kiana Kia , Allen Chan , Mina Salehi , Laurel Kincl , Jeong Ho Kim","doi":"10.1016/j.apergo.2024.104423","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.apergo.2024.104423","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In commercial Dungeness crab fishing vessels, the block pulls crab pots for harvesting and typically positions them to the side of vessels, rather than the sorting tables on board. Consequently, fishermen must reach outside the vessel to grab the pots, posing increased risk of musculoskeletal and fall-related injuries. To investigate the effects of block design on these risks, 25 participants in a repeated-measures laboratory study handled a pot under two block conditions: away-from-table (conventional setting) and above-table (intervention). Low back and shoulder muscle activities, angles, moments, perceived exertion, and postural stability were measured. The results showed reduced L5/S1 and shoulder moments and angles; decreased muscle activities in the low back, shoulders, and upper extremities; and lower perceived exertion ratings and postural sway measures with the intervention. These findings indicate that positioning the pot closer to fishermen onboard could reduce the injury and fall risk associated with crab pot handling.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55502,"journal":{"name":"Applied Ergonomics","volume":"124 ","pages":"Article 104423"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2024-11-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142696242","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":"Understanding older adults’ needs for and perceptions of shared autonomous vehicle interior features: A focus group and user enactment study","authors":"Nade Liang , Ashima Krishna , Brandon J. Pitts , Stacey Connaughton , Ksenia Kozak , Konstantina Gkritza","doi":"10.1016/j.apergo.2024.104408","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.apergo.2024.104408","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Shared autonomous vehicles (SAVs) can help older adults maintain mobility and independence throughout the later stages of life. However, research is critically needed to assess the design of SAV interior features and quantify potential mobility challenges for older populations. This paper presents a study that adopted a mixed-methods approach to evaluate the needs and perceptions of adults aged 65 years and older regarding interior features of SAVs during user enactment, and offers data-driven insights on task performance to inform design decisions. Thirty participants interacted with an SAV mock-up and participated in subsequent focus group discussions regarding their interaction experiences and general perceptions of SAV. Quantitative video-based time-motion analysis and qualitative thematic analysis of the focus group discussion highlighted concerns related to a) ingress and egress accessibility; b) seat and cabin comfort; c) appropriate social interactions with co-riders; and d) SAV operational functionality. Staggered seating arrangements and multi-functional use of available space were preferred features. The analysis also identified potential improvements, such as the inclusion of additional handholds and efficient HVAC systems, and underscored the need for central monitoring for emergency interventions during SAV operations. Ultimately, findings from this research can provide valuable insights for researchers and engineers to design equitable transportation solutions tailored to a broad range of traveler abilities and needs.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55502,"journal":{"name":"Applied Ergonomics","volume":"123 ","pages":"Article 104408"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2024-11-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142683722","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}
Applied ErgonomicsPub Date : 2024-11-16DOI: 10.1016/j.apergo.2024.104418
Simone Borghi , Andrea Ruo , Lorenzo Sabattini , Margherita Peruzzini , Valeria Villani
{"title":"Assessing operator stress in collaborative robotics: A multimodal approach","authors":"Simone Borghi , Andrea Ruo , Lorenzo Sabattini , Margherita Peruzzini , Valeria Villani","doi":"10.1016/j.apergo.2024.104418","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.apergo.2024.104418","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In the era of Industry 4.0, the study of Human–Robot Collaboration (HRC) in advancing modern manufacturing and automation is paramount. An operator approaching a collaborative robot (cobot) may have feelings of distrust, and experience discomfort and stress, especially during the early stages of training. Human factors cannot be neglected: for efficient implementation, the complex psycho-physiological state and responses of the operator must be taken into consideration. In this study, volunteers were asked to carry out a set of cobot programming tasks, while several physiological signals, such as electroencephalogram (EEG), electrocardiogram (ECG), Galvanic skin response (GSR), and facial expressions were recorded. In addition, a subjective questionnaire (NASA-TLX) was administered at the end, to assess if the derived physiological parameters are related to the subjective perception of stress. Parameters exhibiting a higher degree of alignment with subjective perception are mean Theta (76.67%), Alpha (70.53%) and Beta (67.65%) power extracted from EEG, recovery time (72.86%) and rise time (71.43%) extracted from GSR and heart rate variability (HRV) metrics PNN25 (71.58%), SDNN (70.53%), PNN50 (68.95%) and RMSSD (66.84%). Parameters extracted from raw RR Intervals appear to be more variable and less accurate (42.11%) so as recorded emotions (51.43%).</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55502,"journal":{"name":"Applied Ergonomics","volume":"123 ","pages":"Article 104418"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2024-11-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142649985","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}
Applied ErgonomicsPub Date : 2024-11-14DOI: 10.1016/j.apergo.2024.104416
Anna Ruth Mason-Mackay
{"title":"Corrigendum to “Gender, sex and desk-based postural behaviour: A systematic review re-interpreting biomechanical evidence from a social perspective” [Appl. Ergon. 114 (2023) 104073]","authors":"Anna Ruth Mason-Mackay","doi":"10.1016/j.apergo.2024.104416","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.apergo.2024.104416","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":55502,"journal":{"name":"Applied Ergonomics","volume":"123 ","pages":"Article 104416"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2024-11-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142640393","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}
Applied ErgonomicsPub Date : 2024-11-12DOI: 10.1016/j.apergo.2024.104417
Yuan Gao, Pei-Luen Patrick Rau
{"title":"Takeover and non-driving related task performance in conditional automated driving: EEG and behavior Parameters interaction","authors":"Yuan Gao, Pei-Luen Patrick Rau","doi":"10.1016/j.apergo.2024.104417","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.apergo.2024.104417","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In this study, a conditional automated driving scenario is simulated using virtual reality (VR) technology to explore whether office works presented through augmented reality (AR) affect task and takeover performance, and the neural mechanism was revealed. Sixty-four participants were recruited and their electroencephalography (EEG) was used to measure the brain activities. The results indicated that non-driving-related tasks (NDRTs) requiring higher internal attention focus resulted in poorer task and takeover performance. The alpha power decline magnitude in the parietotemporal (PT) was positively correlated with the takeover time; and the greater the alpha power decline in the right centroparietal (CP) hemisphere, the worse is the participants’ memory quality for NDRTs. The ventral attention network (VAN) and right parietal cortex, which are active during working memory, are more likely to explain these findings. The results can provide suggestions for the design of AR-ADS and help improve the safety in L3 driving automation systems.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55502,"journal":{"name":"Applied Ergonomics","volume":"123 ","pages":"Article 104417"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2024-11-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142632873","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}
Applied ErgonomicsPub Date : 2024-11-02DOI: 10.1016/j.apergo.2024.104407
Amir Hossein Eskandari , Farshid Ghezelbash , Aboulfazl Shirazi-Adl , Navid Arjmand , Christian Larivière
{"title":"Effect of a back-support exoskeleton on internal forces and lumbar spine stability during low load lifting task","authors":"Amir Hossein Eskandari , Farshid Ghezelbash , Aboulfazl Shirazi-Adl , Navid Arjmand , Christian Larivière","doi":"10.1016/j.apergo.2024.104407","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.apergo.2024.104407","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study assessed the effect of a small-torque generating passive back-support exoskeleton during a low demanding occupational task, namely a repetitive lifting/lowering of an empty crate between the knee and shoulder heights. A comprehensive set of outcomes was considered, ranging from the measured trunk muscle activation and trunk movement to the estimated muscle group forces/coordination, spine loading and spine stability, using a dynamic subject-specific EMG-assisted musculoskeletal model. The exoskeleton decreased back muscle activation and corresponding muscle forces in the lowering phase and reduced spinal loading at larger trunk flexion angles (decreased peak compression and shear forces by ∼ 15%). However, the effect sizes were small (<span><math><mrow><msubsup><mi>η</mi><mi>G</mi><mn>2</mn></msubsup></mrow></math></span> < .06), questioning the usefulness of this type of exoskeleton, even for light tasks. On the other hand, the unique results of the present study showed that coordination between the main muscle groups as well as spinal stability remained unchanged with low effect sizes, suggesting that the use of this exoskeleton is safe.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55502,"journal":{"name":"Applied Ergonomics","volume":"123 ","pages":"Article 104407"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2024-11-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142570458","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}
Applied ErgonomicsPub Date : 2024-10-31DOI: 10.1016/j.apergo.2024.104406
Staffan Bram , Julia Burgén , Anne S. Dederichs , Per-Olof Hedvall
{"title":"No one left behind: A universal design analysis of ship evacuation","authors":"Staffan Bram , Julia Burgén , Anne S. Dederichs , Per-Olof Hedvall","doi":"10.1016/j.apergo.2024.104406","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.apergo.2024.104406","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>An accident on a passenger ferry may lead to evacuation using lifeboats or liferafts, a process that can be both complex and hazardous. This paper investigates the level of safety for passengers during evacuation based on field study and interview data. In the analysis, the eight goals of Universal Design (UD) were tailored and used to explore what ship and interior characteristics influence evacuation performance and the demands placed on the crew and passengers, and whether all passengers have equal chances of completing evacuation safely.</div><div>Results suggest that while a ship may fulfil regulation, completing an evacuation may pose challenges for passengers with varying abilities, for example, when attempting to perceive emergency information or move through the ship. In addition, it was found that an evacuation may present the crew with challenges and difficult trade-offs that are not always accounted for in the ship's design, equipment and safety organization. It is concluded that the use of a UD approach in ship design, based on a truthful representation of passenger demographics, could enhance passenger safety and provide for evacuation on equal terms.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55502,"journal":{"name":"Applied Ergonomics","volume":"123 ","pages":"Article 104406"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2024-10-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142551538","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}
Applied ErgonomicsPub Date : 2024-10-31DOI: 10.1016/j.apergo.2024.104387
William Emond , Uwe Scholly , Mohsen Zare
{"title":"Combining visual cues with relaxing music, perfume and ventilation to reduce passenger car sickness: An experimental study","authors":"William Emond , Uwe Scholly , Mohsen Zare","doi":"10.1016/j.apergo.2024.104387","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.apergo.2024.104387","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The autonomous, digital, and electric transformation of passenger vehicles is projected to elevate the incidence of motion sickness among occupants. This study investigates the effectiveness of an “anti-motion sickness” system that features dynamic light stimuli to support visual perception of longitudinal motion, combined with relaxing music, perfume and ventilation pulses to enhance user wellbeing. In an experimental design aimed at replicating a realistic passenger drive, fifty-three subjects were tested as front passengers engaged in a gaming activity. Subjective motion sickness ratings were collected throughout the drive, and the development of symptoms was monitored through in-ear physiological measurements, including RR-intervals, core temperature, and oxygen saturation. Post hoc analyses indicated non-significant improvement in subjective assessments of motion sickness. Similarly, physiological measurements did not demonstrate any significant difference across conditions. The tested system was however more effective in mitigating car sickness for low susceptible than for mid-to-high susceptible individuals.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55502,"journal":{"name":"Applied Ergonomics","volume":"123 ","pages":"Article 104387"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2024-10-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142560582","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}
Applied ErgonomicsPub Date : 2024-10-24DOI: 10.1016/j.apergo.2024.104375
Christopher Nemeth , Hanne Hoskens , Graham Wilson , Mike Jones , Josef DiPietrantonio , Bukola Salami , Del Harnish , Peter Claes , Seth M. Weinberg , Mark D. Shriver , Benedikt Hallgrímsson
{"title":"Quantitative analysis of facial shape in children to support respirator design","authors":"Christopher Nemeth , Hanne Hoskens , Graham Wilson , Mike Jones , Josef DiPietrantonio , Bukola Salami , Del Harnish , Peter Claes , Seth M. Weinberg , Mark D. Shriver , Benedikt Hallgrímsson","doi":"10.1016/j.apergo.2024.104375","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.apergo.2024.104375","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated the need for respiratory protection against airborne pathogens. Respirator options for children are limited, and existing designs do not consider differences in facial shape or size. We created a dataset of children's facial images from three cohorts, then used geometric morphometric analyses of dense and sparse facial landmark representations to quantify age, sex and ancestry-related variation in shape. We found facial shape and size in children vary significantly with age from ages 2 to 18, particularly in dimensions relevant to respirator design. Sex differences are small throughout most of the age range of our sample. Ancestry is associated with significant facial shape variation in dimensions that may affect respirator fit. We offer guidance on how to our results can be used for the appropriate design of devices such as respirators for pediatric populations. We also highlight the need to consider ancestry-related variation in facial morphology to promote equitable, inclusive products.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55502,"journal":{"name":"Applied Ergonomics","volume":"122 ","pages":"Article 104375"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2024-10-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142513462","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}