Pub Date : 2025-11-22DOI: 10.1016/j.apergo.2025.104695
Benjamin S. Elkin , Roger E. Montgomery , Alison C. Novak , Gunter P. Siegmund
Falls during stair descent have been associated with non-uniformities in stair dimensions. A common stairway non-uniformity is the top-of-flight defect, where the rise and run dimensions of the uppermost step in a stairway differ from the subsequent lower steps. This defect has been described as hazardous, but its effect on foot placement and misstep risk in stair descent has not been studied. In this experimental study, we quantified foot overhang for adults (n = 27) descending a seven-step staircase with a top-of-flight defect compared to descending a uniform staircase. When the defect was present, an increase in foot overhang occurred on the third, fourth and fifth steps down the stairs (S3, S4, and S5; p < 0.05), two to four steps below the step containing the defect (S1). Given that increased foot overhang is associated with an increased risk of misstepping and falling, this finding provides a biomechanical explanation for falls that originate downstream from the defect and in a region of the stair where the geometry is uniform. Our findings provide support for requiring uniform stair geometry beginning at the upper landing, a common area where stair dimensions change in both new and existing construction and renovations.
楼梯下降过程中的跌倒与楼梯尺寸的不均匀性有关。一种常见的楼梯不均匀性是梯顶缺陷，即楼梯最上层台阶的上升和运行尺寸与随后较低的台阶不同。这一缺陷被认为是危险的，但其对足部放置和下楼梯时失足风险的影响尚未研究。在这项实验研究中，我们量化了成人（n = 27）下七阶楼梯时的脚悬垂，与下统一楼梯时的脚悬垂进行了比较。当缺陷出现时，在楼梯的第三级、第四级和第五级（S3、S4和S5； p < 0.05），比包含缺陷的台阶低2到4级（S1），脚部悬垂增加。鉴于足部悬垂的增加与失足和跌倒的风险增加有关，这一发现为源自缺陷下游和几何形状均匀的楼梯区域的跌倒提供了生物力学解释。我们的研究结果为从上层平台开始的统一楼梯几何形状提供了支持，这是一个公共区域，在新的和现有的建筑和翻新中，楼梯尺寸都会发生变化。
{"title":"A top-of-flight stairway defect affects foot overhang on lower steps during stair descent","authors":"Benjamin S. Elkin , Roger E. Montgomery , Alison C. Novak , Gunter P. Siegmund","doi":"10.1016/j.apergo.2025.104695","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.apergo.2025.104695","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Falls during stair descent have been associated with non-uniformities in stair dimensions. A common stairway non-uniformity is the top-of-flight defect, where the rise and run dimensions of the uppermost step in a stairway differ from the subsequent lower steps. This defect has been described as hazardous, but its effect on foot placement and misstep risk in stair descent has not been studied. In this experimental study, we quantified foot overhang for adults (n = 27) descending a seven-step staircase with a top-of-flight defect compared to descending a uniform staircase. When the defect was present, an increase in foot overhang occurred on the third, fourth and fifth steps down the stairs (S3, S4, and S5; p < 0.05), two to four steps below the step containing the defect (S1). Given that increased foot overhang is associated with an increased risk of misstepping and falling, this finding provides a biomechanical explanation for falls that originate downstream from the defect and in a region of the stair where the geometry is uniform. Our findings provide support for requiring uniform stair geometry beginning at the upper landing, a common area where stair dimensions change in both new and existing construction and renovations.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55502,"journal":{"name":"Applied Ergonomics","volume":"132 ","pages":"Article 104695"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-11-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145571725","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}
Pub Date : 2025-11-22DOI: 10.1016/j.apergo.2025.104697
Thorben Brandt, Marc Wilbrink, Michael Oehl
With the introduction of highly automated vehicles (HAV; SAE Level 4) driverless mobility systems may fundamentally change public transportation. For potential passengers of these systems, new situations may arise, leaving them without a driver to directly communicate with. This can be problematic when the driving automation is confronted with situations it might be unable to manage by itself, which would cause a minimal risk maneuver (MRM), e.g. a complete standstill of the vehicle. Some concepts enhance these systems with a remote assistant who can support the HAV, adding novelty to the transportation process. This increased novelty may result in user discomfort for passengers, causing a need for information systems that address this. One possibility to do so and to thus improve hedonic quality and thus comfort for passengers is by providing system transparency via a media rich in-vehicle Human-Machine Interface (iHMI), which provides information to passengers about the ADS and its processes. However, there is still a gap in research on the ideal communication mechanism to ensure good hedonic quality and comfort during these situations. We conducted a simulator study in virtual reality (VR), investigating interfaces based on media richness theory to address this issue. The interface provided a multi-layered iHMI consisting of transparency information presented with varying levels of media richness. In a block design, participants experienced three versions of an iHMI, one presenting information via text, another combining text and auditive presentation and a third adding a human avatar simulating Face-to-Face communication. After each scenario, participants completed questionnaires regarding understanding, predictability, trust and user experience. Study results reveal significant increases in the hedonic quality of user experience and trust towards the system for interfaces with increased media richness, providing a first step towards enhancing user comfort with iHMI in automated mobility systems during challenging situations for the automation system, such as MRM.
{"title":"Communicating minimal risk maneuvers to passengers in highly automated vehicles: Ensuring hedonic user experience with media rich in-vehicle HMIs","authors":"Thorben Brandt, Marc Wilbrink, Michael Oehl","doi":"10.1016/j.apergo.2025.104697","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.apergo.2025.104697","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>With the introduction of highly automated vehicles (HAV; SAE Level 4) driverless mobility systems may fundamentally change public transportation. For potential passengers of these systems, new situations may arise, leaving them without a driver to directly communicate with. This can be problematic when the driving automation is confronted with situations it might be unable to manage by itself, which would cause a minimal risk maneuver (MRM), e.g. a complete standstill of the vehicle. Some concepts enhance these systems with a remote assistant who can support the HAV, adding novelty to the transportation process. This increased novelty may result in user discomfort for passengers, causing a need for information systems that address this. One possibility to do so and to thus improve hedonic quality and thus comfort for passengers is by providing system transparency via a media rich in-vehicle Human-Machine Interface (iHMI), which provides information to passengers about the ADS and its processes. However, there is still a gap in research on the ideal communication mechanism to ensure good hedonic quality and comfort during these situations. We conducted a simulator study in virtual reality (VR), investigating interfaces based on media richness theory to address this issue. The interface provided a multi-layered iHMI consisting of transparency information presented with varying levels of media richness. In a block design, participants experienced three versions of an iHMI, one presenting information via text, another combining text and auditive presentation and a third adding a human avatar simulating Face-to-Face communication. After each scenario, participants completed questionnaires regarding understanding, predictability, trust and user experience. Study results reveal significant increases in the hedonic quality of user experience and trust towards the system for interfaces with increased media richness, providing a first step towards enhancing user comfort with iHMI in automated mobility systems during challenging situations for the automation system, such as MRM.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55502,"journal":{"name":"Applied Ergonomics","volume":"132 ","pages":"Article 104697"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-11-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145571727","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}
Pub Date : 2025-11-19DOI: 10.1016/j.apergo.2025.104683
Chih-Yu Hsiao , De-Cheng Liu , Chien-Chi Chang , Ming-Hui Liu
Optical see-through head-mounted displays (OST-HMDs) employ a distinctive method of information presentation that differs from conventional devices. This approach influences the human-computer interaction and text legibility. This study examines the impact of typefaces, letter spacing, and line spacing on OST-HMD text legibility while walking. Two experiments were conducted. Experiment 1 evaluated the influence of two typefaces on text legibility, while Experiment 2 investigated the effects of three levels of letter spacing and line spacing. Both experiments followed the MNREAD protocol. The findings indicated that the selected typefaces did not significantly affect text legibility. However, smaller letters and line spacing negatively affected text legibility. These results will be beneficial in formulating recommendations for typefaces, letter spacing, and line spacing when displaying text on OST-HMDs, enhancing user experience and ensuring optimal legibility in various applications.
{"title":"Evaluating typeface, letter spacing, and line spacing of designs on text legibility in optical see-through head-mounted displays while walking","authors":"Chih-Yu Hsiao , De-Cheng Liu , Chien-Chi Chang , Ming-Hui Liu","doi":"10.1016/j.apergo.2025.104683","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.apergo.2025.104683","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Optical see-through head-mounted displays (OST-HMDs) employ a distinctive method of information presentation that differs from conventional devices. This approach influences the human-computer interaction and text legibility. This study examines the impact of typefaces, letter spacing, and line spacing on OST-HMD text legibility while walking. Two experiments were conducted. Experiment 1 evaluated the influence of two typefaces on text legibility, while Experiment 2 investigated the effects of three levels of letter spacing and line spacing. Both experiments followed the MNREAD protocol. The findings indicated that the selected typefaces did not significantly affect text legibility. However, smaller letters and line spacing negatively affected text legibility. These results will be beneficial in formulating recommendations for typefaces, letter spacing, and line spacing when displaying text on OST-HMDs, enhancing user experience and ensuring optimal legibility in various applications.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55502,"journal":{"name":"Applied Ergonomics","volume":"132 ","pages":"Article 104683"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-11-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145566457","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}
Pub Date : 2025-11-19DOI: 10.1016/j.apergo.2025.104694
Liying Zheng , Christopher Pan , Kiana Kia , Allen Chan , Mina Salehi , Andrew Moorehead , Jeong Ho Kim
Construction workers, especially electricians, frequently perform overhead tasks on elevated platforms, increasing their risk of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and falls. This study evaluated the effects of three passive upper extremity exoskeletons (PUEEs) on shoulder muscle activity and postural balance during a simulated wire pulling task on a motion platform replicating scissor lift dynamics. Nine male participants completed tasks at two force levels (65 N and 130 N), with and without exoskeletons. Electromyography, motion capture, and force plate data were used to assess shoulder muscle activation, joint kinematics, and postural stability. The tested PUEEs significantly reduced peak activity in key shoulder muscles—including upper trapezius (−17 % to −38 %) and much of deltoid (−1 % to −49 %)—without increasing load in the back or lower limbs. Postural stability improved with the tested PUEEs (5 %–25 %), particularly with the heavy ones, though distinct kinematic changes were observed across models. These results suggest that PUEEs may reduce biomechanical strain and improve balance during static or quasi-static overhead work, but task-specific demands and device characteristics should be carefully considered.
{"title":"Effects of shoulder-assist exoskeletons on muscle activity and balance during a wire pulling task on a simulated scissor lift","authors":"Liying Zheng , Christopher Pan , Kiana Kia , Allen Chan , Mina Salehi , Andrew Moorehead , Jeong Ho Kim","doi":"10.1016/j.apergo.2025.104694","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.apergo.2025.104694","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Construction workers, especially electricians, frequently perform overhead tasks on elevated platforms, increasing their risk of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and falls. This study evaluated the effects of three passive upper extremity exoskeletons (PUEEs) on shoulder muscle activity and postural balance during a simulated wire pulling task on a motion platform replicating scissor lift dynamics. Nine male participants completed tasks at two force levels (65 N and 130 N), with and without exoskeletons. Electromyography, motion capture, and force plate data were used to assess shoulder muscle activation, joint kinematics, and postural stability. The tested PUEEs significantly reduced peak activity in key shoulder muscles—including upper trapezius (−17 % to −38 %) and much of deltoid (−1 % to −49 %)—without increasing load in the back or lower limbs. Postural stability improved with the tested PUEEs (5 %–25 %), particularly with the heavy ones, though distinct kinematic changes were observed across models. These results suggest that PUEEs may reduce biomechanical strain and improve balance during static or quasi-static overhead work, but task-specific demands and device characteristics should be carefully considered.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55502,"journal":{"name":"Applied Ergonomics","volume":"132 ","pages":"Article 104694"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-11-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145566462","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}
Pub Date : 2025-11-15DOI: 10.1016/j.apergo.2025.104657
August Capiola , Krista N. Harris , Gene M. Alarcon , Dexter Johnson , Sarah A. Jessup , Sasha M. Willis , Walter Bennette
{"title":"“Are you sure about that?” The effects of calibrated classification model task accuracy and confidence on trustworthiness, trust, and performance","authors":"August Capiola , Krista N. Harris , Gene M. Alarcon , Dexter Johnson , Sarah A. Jessup , Sasha M. Willis , Walter Bennette","doi":"10.1016/j.apergo.2025.104657","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.apergo.2025.104657","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":55502,"journal":{"name":"Applied Ergonomics","volume":"132 ","pages":"Article 104657"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-11-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145520983","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}
Pub Date : 2025-11-07DOI: 10.1016/j.apergo.2025.104682
William Emond , Mohsen Zare
With the deployment of high levels of vehicle automation, motion sickness is expected to become more prevalent in road transportation. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of haptic motion cueing as a countermeasure to motion sickness. During a stop-and-go ride in an electric vehicle, vibrotactile cues were generated in the seat backrest as an intervention. Grounded in the neural mismatch theory, this approach is based on a recovery hypothesis, proposing that providing somatosensory information consistent with vehicle motion forces can facilitate the restoration of sensory concordance and reduce motion sickness symptoms.
In a within-subjects design, 24 participants were driven in sessions of approximately 18 min (6 laps). During the first three laps, motion sickness was induced as participants played a video game without visibility of the vehicle's surroundings. In the last three laps, a motion sickness alleviation method was applied: participants stopped gaming and gazed at the vehicle's surroundings to relieve their symptoms, with or without the vibrotactile cues.
Analyses revealed no significant effect of the vibrotactile cues on symptom alleviation. Feedback from the participants emphasized user acceptance as a crucial dimension underlying the effectiveness of a haptic countermeasure. These outcomes improve understanding of haptic cues and inform the design of motion cueing systems that support motion sickness relief.
{"title":"Can acceleration-coded vibrations help alleviate passenger motion sickness? Investigation in stop-and-go passenger rides","authors":"William Emond , Mohsen Zare","doi":"10.1016/j.apergo.2025.104682","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.apergo.2025.104682","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>With the deployment of high levels of vehicle automation, motion sickness is expected to become more prevalent in road transportation. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of haptic motion cueing as a countermeasure to motion sickness. During a stop-and-go ride in an electric vehicle, vibrotactile cues were generated in the seat backrest as an intervention. Grounded in the neural mismatch theory, this approach is based on a recovery hypothesis, proposing that providing somatosensory information consistent with vehicle motion forces can facilitate the restoration of sensory concordance and reduce motion sickness symptoms.</div><div>In a within-subjects design, 24 participants were driven in sessions of approximately 18 min (6 laps). During the first three laps, motion sickness was induced as participants played a video game without visibility of the vehicle's surroundings. In the last three laps, a motion sickness alleviation method was applied: participants stopped gaming and gazed at the vehicle's surroundings to relieve their symptoms, with or without the vibrotactile cues.</div><div>Analyses revealed no significant effect of the vibrotactile cues on symptom alleviation. Feedback from the participants emphasized user acceptance as a crucial dimension underlying the effectiveness of a haptic countermeasure. These outcomes improve understanding of haptic cues and inform the design of motion cueing systems that support motion sickness relief.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55502,"journal":{"name":"Applied Ergonomics","volume":"132 ","pages":"Article 104682"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-11-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145468882","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}
Pub Date : 2025-11-07DOI: 10.1016/j.apergo.2025.104671
Mark Tröster , Simon Eckstein , Paula Kennel , Verena Kopp , Alina Benkiser , Felicitas Bihlmeier , Urban Daub , Christophe Maufroy , Sebastian Dendorfer , Lars Fritzsche , Urs Schneider , Thomas Bauernhansl
Human-centred and ergonomic work design is one of the most important drivers for increasing the competitiveness of the European Union. As a flexible, person-specific occupational measure, exoskeletons promise great potential for effectively reducing individual ergonomic stress. Digital human models can provide important insights and offer great potential for systematising the effect and targeted use of exoskeletons, supporting their effective implementation in practice. In this article, digital human models are applied on two levels. Firstly, a realistic industrial logistics scenario in which boxes had to be relocated is designed with the help of a digital human model for workplace and process planning and secondly, a new biomechanical evaluation methodology to analyse intended and unintended effects on internal stress on the human body is demonstrated by applying musculoskeletal exoskeleton human models of four test subjects. Finally, the modelled biomechanical support tendencies of one exoskeleton are preliminary validated using EMG measurement data of the back muscles collected from the four male workers. The preliminary analysis of two back-support exoskeletons to demonstrate the new methodological approach confirms the expected, intended effects in the lower back and reveals unintended effects, such as e.g. changes in knee kinetics when applying a soft or hard-frame exoskeleton. Furthermore, the exemplary results to demonstrate the methodological approach expose notable differences between the test subjects, which underlines the relevance of person-specific evaluation and consideration of exoskeleton support. The preliminary validation shows a correlation between the modelled and the EMG-measured biomechanical exoskeleton support of the considered back muscles.
{"title":"Person-specific evaluation method for occupational exoskeletons – Biomechanical body heat map","authors":"Mark Tröster , Simon Eckstein , Paula Kennel , Verena Kopp , Alina Benkiser , Felicitas Bihlmeier , Urban Daub , Christophe Maufroy , Sebastian Dendorfer , Lars Fritzsche , Urs Schneider , Thomas Bauernhansl","doi":"10.1016/j.apergo.2025.104671","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.apergo.2025.104671","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Human-centred and ergonomic work design is one of the most important drivers for increasing the competitiveness of the European Union. As a flexible, person-specific occupational measure, exoskeletons promise great potential for effectively reducing individual ergonomic stress. Digital human models can provide important insights and offer great potential for systematising the effect and targeted use of exoskeletons, supporting their effective implementation in practice. In this article, digital human models are applied on two levels. Firstly, a realistic industrial logistics scenario in which boxes had to be relocated is designed with the help of a digital human model for workplace and process planning and secondly, a new biomechanical evaluation methodology to analyse intended and unintended effects on internal stress on the human body is demonstrated by applying musculoskeletal exoskeleton human models of four test subjects. Finally, the modelled biomechanical support tendencies of one exoskeleton are preliminary validated using EMG measurement data of the back muscles collected from the four male workers. The preliminary analysis of two back-support exoskeletons to demonstrate the new methodological approach confirms the expected, intended effects in the lower back and reveals unintended effects, such as e.g. changes in knee kinetics when applying a soft or hard-frame exoskeleton. Furthermore, the exemplary results to demonstrate the methodological approach expose notable differences between the test subjects, which underlines the relevance of person-specific evaluation and consideration of exoskeleton support. The preliminary validation shows a correlation between the modelled and the EMG-measured biomechanical exoskeleton support of the considered back muscles.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55502,"journal":{"name":"Applied Ergonomics","volume":"132 ","pages":"Article 104671"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-11-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145449030","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}
Pub Date : 2025-11-07DOI: 10.1016/j.apergo.2025.104679
Roel Daneels, Jasper Clauwaert, Youri Meuret, Wouter R. Ryckaert
Modern office environments increasingly feature multiple computing devices and advanced monitors, whose maximum luminance levels have risen significantly in recent years. In addition, current lighting standards place greater emphasis on the role of ambient lighting and wall (il)luminance in creating a comfortable environment. However, higher luminance levels do not inherently lead to enhanced reading comfort. Prior research indicates that reading comfort is influenced by a combination of monitor luminance and the luminance characteristics of the surrounding environment. This study examines the optimal monitor luminance levels that enhance reading comfort under fixed wall luminance conditions, as well as the optimal wall luminance levels under fixed monitor luminance conditions. A total of 25 participants (aged 21–26 years) took part in the experiment. Using the psi-marginal adaptive method, participants were given direct control to determine the luminance levels they perceived as most comfortable for reading. Four different monitor luminance levels (120, 260, 453 and 700 cd m−2) and five wall luminance levels (12, 34, 68, 113 and 170 cd m−2) were used as fixed luminance levels throughout the experiment. The results demonstrate that higher fixed wall/monitor luminance levels are generally associated with higher optimal monitor/wall luminance levels selected by participants. According to the European standard of lighting requirements for indoor workplaces, the minimum required wall luminance is between 24 cd m−2 and 38 cd m−2. For a fixed wall luminance level within this interval (34 cd m−2), the results of this study show that the optimal luminance level of the monitor ranges from below 120 cd m−2 to around 450 cd m−2 with a median of 166 cd m−2, and an IQR of [133 cd m−2; 270 cd m−2]. In conclusion, the findings suggest that, within standard office environments, it is not necessary to utilise monitors with luminance levels exceeding 500 cd m−2 to achieve optimal reading comfort.
现代办公环境越来越多地采用多种计算设备和先进的显示器，其最大亮度水平近年来显著提高。此外，当前的照明标准更加强调环境照明和墙壁（il）亮度在创造舒适环境中的作用。然而，更高的亮度水平并不一定会提高阅读舒适度。先前的研究表明，阅读舒适性受到监视器亮度和周围环境亮度特性的综合影响。本研究考察了在固定墙壁亮度条件下提高阅读舒适度的最佳显示器亮度水平，以及在固定显示器亮度条件下的最佳墙壁亮度水平。共有25名参与者（年龄21-26岁）参加了实验。使用psi边际自适应方法，参与者被给予直接控制，以确定他们认为最适合阅读的亮度水平。在整个实验过程中，使用了4种不同的监视器亮度水平（120、260、453和700 cd m−2）和5种墙壁亮度水平（12、34、68、113和170 cd m−2）作为固定亮度水平。结果表明，较高的固定墙壁/监视器亮度水平通常与参与者选择的较高的最佳监视器/墙壁亮度水平相关。根据欧洲室内工作场所照明要求标准，要求墙面的最低照度在24cd m−2 ~ 38cd m−2之间。对于该区间内固定的墙壁亮度水平（34 cd m−2），本研究结果表明，监视器的最佳亮度水平范围在120 cd m−2以下至450 cd m−2左右，中位数为166 cd m−2，IQR为133 cd m−2；270 CD m−2]。总之，研究结果表明，在标准的办公环境中，没有必要使用亮度水平超过500 cd m - 2的显示器来实现最佳的阅读舒适度。
{"title":"Selecting monitor and wall luminance levels in office settings: An adaptive experimental study","authors":"Roel Daneels, Jasper Clauwaert, Youri Meuret, Wouter R. Ryckaert","doi":"10.1016/j.apergo.2025.104679","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.apergo.2025.104679","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Modern office environments increasingly feature multiple computing devices and advanced monitors, whose maximum luminance levels have risen significantly in recent years. In addition, current lighting standards place greater emphasis on the role of ambient lighting and wall (il)luminance in creating a comfortable environment. However, higher luminance levels do not inherently lead to enhanced reading comfort. Prior research indicates that reading comfort is influenced by a combination of monitor luminance and the luminance characteristics of the surrounding environment. This study examines the optimal monitor luminance levels that enhance reading comfort under fixed wall luminance conditions, as well as the optimal wall luminance levels under fixed monitor luminance conditions. A total of 25 participants (aged 21–26 years) took part in the experiment. Using the psi-marginal adaptive method, participants were given direct control to determine the luminance levels they perceived as most comfortable for reading. Four different monitor luminance levels (120, 260, 453 and 700 cd m<sup>−2</sup>) and five wall luminance levels (12, 34, 68, 113 and 170 cd m<sup>−2</sup>) were used as fixed luminance levels throughout the experiment. The results demonstrate that higher fixed wall/monitor luminance levels are generally associated with higher optimal monitor/wall luminance levels selected by participants. According to the European standard of lighting requirements for indoor workplaces, the minimum required wall luminance is between 24 cd m<sup>−2</sup> and 38 cd m<sup>−2</sup>. For a fixed wall luminance level within this interval (34 cd m<sup>−2</sup>), the results of this study show that the optimal luminance level of the monitor ranges from below 120 cd m<sup>−2</sup> to around 450 cd m<sup>−2</sup> with a median of 166 cd m<sup>−2</sup>, and an IQR of [133 cd m<sup>−2</sup>; 270 cd m<sup>−2</sup>]. In conclusion, the findings suggest that, within standard office environments, it is not necessary to utilise monitors with luminance levels exceeding 500 cd m<sup>−2</sup> to achieve optimal reading comfort.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55502,"journal":{"name":"Applied Ergonomics","volume":"132 ","pages":"Article 104679"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-11-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145449029","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}
Pub Date : 2025-11-06DOI: 10.1016/j.apergo.2025.104681
Georgios Aronis, Michael Kurz, Thomas Angeli, Margit Gföhler
Exoskeletons are increasingly used to reduce physical strain during overhead and repetitive manual tasks. This study evaluated a novel passive upper limb exoskeleton adjustable for maximum support at different arm elevation angles. Ten male participants performed repetitive arm movements with a 2.5 kg weight along a sinusoidal trajectory at elevations between 90° and 135° in the sagittal plane. Use of the exoskeleton resulted in a statistically significant (p < 0.05) reduction in muscle activity in the anterior deltoid and biceps brachii. Muscle activity for the lower trapezius, latissimus dorsi, erector spinae, and pectoralis major showed numerical reductions, but these were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). With exoskeleton use, reductions were observed in heart rate, , and RER, although only changes in and RER were statistically significant. Respiratory frequency did not decrease (p > 0.05). Future research should include a more diverse participant group, tasks that better represent real-world manual labour, and direct comparisons with already established exoskeletons.
{"title":"Development and EMG/metabolic assessment of a passive shoulder exoskeleton providing adjustable support for high arm elevation","authors":"Georgios Aronis, Michael Kurz, Thomas Angeli, Margit Gföhler","doi":"10.1016/j.apergo.2025.104681","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.apergo.2025.104681","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Exoskeletons are increasingly used to reduce physical strain during overhead and repetitive manual tasks. This study evaluated a novel passive upper limb exoskeleton adjustable for maximum support at different arm elevation angles. Ten male participants performed repetitive arm movements with a 2.5 kg weight along a sinusoidal trajectory at elevations between 90° and 135° in the sagittal plane. Use of the exoskeleton resulted in a statistically significant (p < 0.05) reduction in muscle activity in the anterior deltoid and biceps brachii. Muscle activity for the lower trapezius, latissimus dorsi, erector spinae, and pectoralis major showed numerical reductions, but these were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). With exoskeleton use, reductions were observed in heart rate, <span><math><mrow><msub><mover><mi>V</mi><mo>˙</mo></mover><msub><mi>O</mi><mn>2</mn></msub></msub></mrow></math></span>, <span><math><mrow><msub><mover><mi>V</mi><mo>˙</mo></mover><msub><mrow><mi>C</mi><mi>O</mi></mrow><mn>2</mn></msub></msub></mrow></math></span> and RER, although only changes in <span><math><mrow><msub><mover><mi>V</mi><mo>˙</mo></mover><msub><mrow><mi>C</mi><mi>O</mi></mrow><mn>2</mn></msub></msub></mrow></math></span> and RER were statistically significant. Respiratory frequency did not decrease (p > 0.05). Future research should include a more diverse participant group, tasks that better represent real-world manual labour, and direct comparisons with already established exoskeletons.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55502,"journal":{"name":"Applied Ergonomics","volume":"132 ","pages":"Article 104681"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-11-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145449028","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}
Pub Date : 2025-11-06DOI: 10.1016/j.apergo.2025.104669
Sophie Berretta , Alina Tausch , Florian Bülow , Bernd Kuhlenkötter , Maximilian Topp , Christian Els , Corinna Peifer , Annette Kluge
The complementary integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in the workplace requires balancing performance goals with psychological needs, as both are essential for sustained outcomes. This study examines different workflows (AI-first and human-first) as cognitive forcing strategies to test whether they enhance performance and psychological outcomes compared to human-only and AI-only processing. In a one-factorial between-subjects experiment (N = 101) within a visual inspection task, evaluated at up to three measurement points, performance variables (accuracy, speed, error rates) and psychological variables (vigilance, flow, teaming experience, wellbeing when working with the AI) were assessed. Human-AI collaboration outperformed AI-only in error rates (η2 = 0.29) and human-only in speed (η2 = 0.11 - 0.14), but only when AI preceded human processing. The AI-first workflow enhanced teaming perception compared to human-only processing (η2 = 0.07). Moreover, human-AI collaborative processing reduced flow decrease compared to human-only processing (η2 = 0.07). Overall, AI processing preceding human processing produces the best balance between performance and psychological outcomes in safety-critical inspection tasks, supporting a holistic view of AI integration in the workplace.
{"title":"Human or AI first? A holistic perspective on the sequential order of joint human-AI inspection workflows","authors":"Sophie Berretta , Alina Tausch , Florian Bülow , Bernd Kuhlenkötter , Maximilian Topp , Christian Els , Corinna Peifer , Annette Kluge","doi":"10.1016/j.apergo.2025.104669","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.apergo.2025.104669","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The complementary integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in the workplace requires balancing performance goals with psychological needs, as both are essential for sustained outcomes. This study examines different workflows (AI-first and human-first) as cognitive forcing strategies to test whether they enhance performance and psychological outcomes compared to human-only and AI-only processing. In a one-factorial between-subjects experiment (<em>N</em> = 101) within a visual inspection task, evaluated at up to three measurement points, performance variables (accuracy, speed, error rates) and psychological variables (vigilance, flow, teaming experience, wellbeing when working with the AI) were assessed. Human-AI collaboration outperformed AI-only in error rates (<em>η</em><sup><em>2</em></sup> = 0.29) and human-only in speed (<em>η</em><sup><em>2</em></sup> = 0.11 - 0.14), but only when AI preceded human processing. The AI-first workflow enhanced teaming perception compared to human-only processing (<em>η</em><sup><em>2</em></sup> = 0.07). Moreover, human-AI collaborative processing reduced flow decrease compared to human-only processing (<em>η</em><sup><em>2</em></sup> = 0.07). Overall, AI processing preceding human processing produces the best balance between performance and psychological outcomes in safety-critical inspection tasks, supporting a holistic view of AI integration in the workplace.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55502,"journal":{"name":"Applied Ergonomics","volume":"132 ","pages":"Article 104669"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-11-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145449027","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}
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