Ergonomics最新文献

In a rapidly ageing population, virtual reality (VR) technology is emerging as a useful tool to meet the increasing demands for medical health, social interaction and entertainment for older adults. This study explores the factors influencing the acceptance of VR technology among older adults to boost their VR use. The acceptance model of VR technology among older adults was founded on the technology acceptance model and incorporated personal factors such as self-efficacy (SE), technology anxiety (TA), perceived enjoyment (PE) and self-satisfaction (SS). Results revealed that SE, PE and SS positively influence their intention to use VR technology, while TA has a negative impact.

Construction is considered amongst the highest risk sectors for the development of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) considering the large number of unfavourable environmental and task-specific factors typical in this sector. Thus, it is important to have quantitative tools to support the assessment of the exposure to physical MSD risk factors. We employed wearable inertial sensors (ISs) to perform a real-world characterisation of static postures and repetitive movements involving the trunk and upper arms (UA), among 15 workers during 2 hours of their regular shifts. IS data were processed according to ISO 11226 and EN 1005-4 standards. We found that workers spent ∼25% of the monitored time in static trunk flexion >20% and more than 50% of the time with UA elevations >20°. The ability to assess working postures for prolonged periods may represent a useful tool for different stakeholders involved in the protection of construction worker health.

This study demonstrated that cognitive biases contributed to inappropriate interactions between liveware (L) and software (S), hardware (H), environment (E), or liveware (L), leading to the risk-taking decision and the organisational failures in risk and crisis management that caused the Fukushima Daiichi disaster. The validity of the model's inclusion of cognitive biases in other crashes or disasters was further confirmed by analysing 191 cases of crashes or disasters. As a lesson that we should learn from the Fukushima Daiichi disaster on how to prevent a future disaster, we proposed a cognitive bias (CB)-incorporated SHEL model for the prevention of crashes or disasters from the viewpoints of inadequate interactions between liveware and software, hardware, environment, or liveware resulting from cognitive biases.

This study aimed to evaluate mechanical and physiological responses to all-out high-intensity interval training (HIIT) sessions (10 maximal efforts of 30 seconds each with 4 min of rest) performed against different resistance forces on a one-leg knee extension ergometer. Eighteen men conducted an incremental test to determine the resistance associated with its maximal power (R_max), followed by all-out HIIT sessions at 120%, 160%, and 200% of R_max, while oxygen consumption and neuromuscular function were measured. Mechanical power output was higher during the session at 200% of R_max compared to the other sessions (p < 0.001), but its absolute anaerobic energy contribution was similar to that at 160% of R_max. Notably, the all-out efforts at 200% R_max led to inconsistent kicking cadence and some participants were unable to complete the session. Therefore, 160% R_max was the highest suitable resistance force for a consistent all-out HIIT session on a knee extension ergometer.

This paper examines opportunities and challenges of integrating augmented reality (AR) into education and investigates requirements to enable instructors to author AR educational experiences. Although AR technology is recognised for its potential in educational enhancement, it poses challenges for instructors creating AR-based experiences due to their limited digital skills and the complexity of 3D authoring tools. Semi-structured interviews with 17 aviation instructors identified current pedagogical approaches, gaps, and potential applications of AR in aviation weather education. Additionally, results highlighted the benefits of AR and obstacles to its integration into education, followed by outlining design priorities and user needs for educational AR authoring. For AR authoring toolkit development, this study recommended incorporating interactive AR lesson modules, early development of user requirements, and prebuilt AR modules. Findings will guide the development of a 3D authoring toolkit for non-technologist instructors, enabling wider AR use in aviation weather education and other educational fields.

We investigated the potential for augmented reality (AR) as a training aid for spatial estimation skills. Though there are many tools to support spatial judgments, from measuring cups to rulers, not much is known about training spatial skills for retention and transfer. Display of AR was manipulated to train the spatial skill of portion estimation. In Experiment 1, an AR-aided strategy of creating smaller portions out of a larger example amount was compared to a no-AR control condition. This manipulation was based on previous non-AR experiments where amorphous foods were better estimated when divided into smaller portions. There was a significant benefit of estimating using a solid AR shape. In Experiment 2, cognitive anchoring was manipulated. Using meaningful AR anchors resulted in the best performance and most learning. We conclude that spatial estimation skills can be combined with mental strategies and trained via AR.

Shoulder pressure redistribution is jointly affected by backpack loads and belt support. However, the combined effect of both factors has rarely been fully evaluated. Here, we studied the coupled effect of backpack loads and belt support on shoulder pressure redistribution. All twenty-eight healthy male subjects underwent eight loading conditions with both chest and hip belts fastened (CH) and unfastened (CON) in four conditions where the backpack weighed 7.5, 15, 22.5, and 30% of body weight (BW). Shoulder pressure distribution was quantified through a pressure-sensing vest mat. The results showed that using the hip belt and chest belt was effective in relieving the high pressure in the lateral clavicle and medial trapezius region and strengthening the load-bearing capacity of shoulder. However, the assistance in pressure relief of using belt was weakened when load increased to 30% BW. This study also showed that the belt use can be effective in improving pressure asymmetry on both sides.

Digital human models (DHM) can predict how users might interact with new vehicle geometry during early-stage design, an important precursor to conducting trade-off analyses. However, predicting human postures requires assumptions about which performance criteria best predict realistic postures. Focusing on the design of motorcycles, we do not know what performance criteria drive preferred riding postures. Addressing this gap, we aimed to identify which performance criteria and corresponding weightings best predicted preferred motorcycle riding postures when using a DHM. To address our aim, we surveyed the literature to find experimental data specifying joint angles that correspond to preferred riding postures. We then deployed a response surface methodology to determine which performance criteria and weightings optimally predicted the preferred riding postures when using a DHM. Weighting the minimisation of the discomfort performance criteria (an aggregate of joint range of motion, displacement from neutral and joint torque) best predicted preferred motorcycle riding postures.

Adverse drug events (ADEs) are common in hospitals, affecting one in six child in-patients. Medication processes are complex systems. This study aimed to explore the work-as-done of medication safety in three English paediatric units using direct observation and semi-structured interviews. We found that a combination of the physical environment, traditional work systems and team norms were among the systemic barriers to medicines safety. The layout of wards discouraged teamworking and reinforced professional boundaries. Workspaces were inadequate, and interruptions were uncontrollable. A less experienced workforce undertook prescribing and verification while more experienced nurses undertook administration. Guidelines were inadequate, with actors muddling through together. Formal controls against ADEs included checking (of prescriptions and administration) and barcode administration systems, but these did not integrate into workflows. Families played an important part in the safe administration of medication and provision of information about their children but were isolated from other parts of the system.