Soft computing applications in the field of human factors and ergonomics: A review of the past decade of research
Appl Ergon. 2023 Sep 4;114:104132. doi: 10.1016/j.apergo.2023.104132. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTThe main objectives of this study were to 1) review the literature on the applications of soft computing concepts to the field of human factors and ergonomics (HFE) between 2013 and 2022 and 2) highlight future developments and trends. Multiple soft computing methods and techniques have been investigated for their ability to address various applications in HFE effectively. These techniques include fuzzy logic, artificial neural networks, genetic algorithms, and their combinations. Applications of these methods in HFE have be...
Source: Applied Ergonomics - September 6, 2023 Category: Occupational Health Authors: Erman Çakıt Waldemar Karwowski Source Type: research

Soft computing applications in the field of human factors and ergonomics: A review of the past decade of research
Appl Ergon. 2023 Sep 4;114:104132. doi: 10.1016/j.apergo.2023.104132. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTThe main objectives of this study were to 1) review the literature on the applications of soft computing concepts to the field of human factors and ergonomics (HFE) between 2013 and 2022 and 2) highlight future developments and trends. Multiple soft computing methods and techniques have been investigated for their ability to address various applications in HFE effectively. These techniques include fuzzy logic, artificial neural networks, genetic algorithms, and their combinations. Applications of these methods in HFE have be...
Source: Applied Ergonomics - September 6, 2023 Category: Occupational Health Authors: Erman Çakıt Waldemar Karwowski Source Type: research

Soft computing applications in the field of human factors and ergonomics: A review of the past decade of research
Appl Ergon. 2023 Sep 4;114:104132. doi: 10.1016/j.apergo.2023.104132. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTThe main objectives of this study were to 1) review the literature on the applications of soft computing concepts to the field of human factors and ergonomics (HFE) between 2013 and 2022 and 2) highlight future developments and trends. Multiple soft computing methods and techniques have been investigated for their ability to address various applications in HFE effectively. These techniques include fuzzy logic, artificial neural networks, genetic algorithms, and their combinations. Applications of these methods in HFE have be...
Source: Applied Ergonomics - September 6, 2023 Category: Occupational Health Authors: Erman Çakıt Waldemar Karwowski Source Type: research

The influence of transfer distance and pace of work on foot positioning strategies and low back loading in a manual material handling task
The objective of this study was to assess the effects of transfer distance, pace and foot positioning on low back loading. Sixteen handlers performed a free handling task with conditions of pace (self-selected and 25% faster), distance (1.5 m, 1.0 m and 0.5 m), height (near-ground and above-waist levels), and mass (10 kg and 20 kg). A linear mixed model was used to evaluate the effects of mass, distance, pace and height on foot positioning occurrences. A non-parametric test (nparLD) was used to evaluate the effects of Pace × Foot positioning and Distance × Foot positioning on L5/S1 sagittal and asymmetrical moments. Posi...
Source: Applied Ergonomics - September 4, 2023 Category: Occupational Health Authors: Jasmin Vall ée Marcotte Xavier Robert-Lachaine Antoine Muller Denys Denis Hakim Mecheri Andr é Plamondon Philippe Corbeil Source Type: research

The influence of transfer distance and pace of work on foot positioning strategies and low back loading in a manual material handling task
The objective of this study was to assess the effects of transfer distance, pace and foot positioning on low back loading. Sixteen handlers performed a free handling task with conditions of pace (self-selected and 25% faster), distance (1.5 m, 1.0 m and 0.5 m), height (near-ground and above-waist levels), and mass (10 kg and 20 kg). A linear mixed model was used to evaluate the effects of mass, distance, pace and height on foot positioning occurrences. A non-parametric test (nparLD) was used to evaluate the effects of Pace × Foot positioning and Distance × Foot positioning on L5/S1 sagittal and asymmetrical moments. Posi...
Source: Applied Ergonomics - September 4, 2023 Category: Occupational Health Authors: Jasmin Vall ée Marcotte Xavier Robert-Lachaine Antoine Muller Denys Denis Hakim Mecheri Andr é Plamondon Philippe Corbeil Source Type: research

The influence of transfer distance and pace of work on foot positioning strategies and low back loading in a manual material handling task
The objective of this study was to assess the effects of transfer distance, pace and foot positioning on low back loading. Sixteen handlers performed a free handling task with conditions of pace (self-selected and 25% faster), distance (1.5 m, 1.0 m and 0.5 m), height (near-ground and above-waist levels), and mass (10 kg and 20 kg). A linear mixed model was used to evaluate the effects of mass, distance, pace and height on foot positioning occurrences. A non-parametric test (nparLD) was used to evaluate the effects of Pace × Foot positioning and Distance × Foot positioning on L5/S1 sagittal and asymmetrical moments. Posi...
Source: Applied Ergonomics - September 4, 2023 Category: Occupational Health Authors: Jasmin Vall ée Marcotte Xavier Robert-Lachaine Antoine Muller Denys Denis Hakim Mecheri Andr é Plamondon Philippe Corbeil Source Type: research

Sharing imagery and analysis tools in a simulated submarine control room
We examined the impact of sharing periscope imagery and analysis tools in eighteen five-member teams (Sonar, Periscope, 2xTrack Motion Analysts, Track Manager) who undertook simulated submarine patrol tasks. Compared to a baseline condition, sharing imagery to team members increased perceived individual workload, with no improvement to team performance (tactical picture accuracy). When both imagery and analysis tools were shared, perceived workload increased and tactical picture compilation was more accurate. Despite this improved tactical picture for the imagery and analysis tools condition, there was no advantage to miss...
Source: Applied Ergonomics - September 2, 2023 Category: Occupational Health Authors: Stephanie Michailovs Zachary Howard Stephen Pond Madison Fitzgerald Troy A W Visser Jason Bell Gavin Pinniger Jessica Irons Megan Schmitt Matthew Stoker Sam Huf Shayne Loft Source Type: research

Metabolic power response to added mass on the lower extremities during running
CONCLUSION: Adding mass more distally on the leg increases the metabolic cost of running to a greater extent. For the same absolute added mass on the foot or shank, metabolic power increases more in females.PMID:37659891 | DOI:10.1016/j.apergo.2023.104109 (Source: Applied Ergonomics)
Source: Applied Ergonomics - September 2, 2023 Category: Occupational Health Authors: Itay Coifman Rodger Kram Raziel Riemer Source Type: research

Sharing imagery and analysis tools in a simulated submarine control room
We examined the impact of sharing periscope imagery and analysis tools in eighteen five-member teams (Sonar, Periscope, 2xTrack Motion Analysts, Track Manager) who undertook simulated submarine patrol tasks. Compared to a baseline condition, sharing imagery to team members increased perceived individual workload, with no improvement to team performance (tactical picture accuracy). When both imagery and analysis tools were shared, perceived workload increased and tactical picture compilation was more accurate. Despite this improved tactical picture for the imagery and analysis tools condition, there was no advantage to miss...
Source: Applied Ergonomics - September 2, 2023 Category: Occupational Health Authors: Stephanie Michailovs Zachary Howard Stephen Pond Madison Fitzgerald Troy A W Visser Jason Bell Gavin Pinniger Jessica Irons Megan Schmitt Matthew Stoker Sam Huf Shayne Loft Source Type: research

Metabolic power response to added mass on the lower extremities during running
CONCLUSION: Adding mass more distally on the leg increases the metabolic cost of running to a greater extent. For the same absolute added mass on the foot or shank, metabolic power increases more in females.PMID:37659891 | DOI:10.1016/j.apergo.2023.104109 (Source: Applied Ergonomics)
Source: Applied Ergonomics - September 2, 2023 Category: Occupational Health Authors: Itay Coifman Rodger Kram Raziel Riemer Source Type: research

Watch your step: A pilot study of smartphone use effect on young females' gait performance while walking up and down stairs and escalators
Appl Ergon. 2023 Aug 30;114:104130. doi: 10.1016/j.apergo.2023.104130. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTThe increasingly ubiquitous use of smartphones has made distracted walking common, not only on flat ground, but also on stairs. Available information regarding changes in gait performance while walking and using a smartphone in different environments is still lacking. We aimed to investigate the differences in gait behavior and subjective walking confidence while walking up and down stairs and escalators, with and without smartphone use. A field experiment involving 32 female adults was conducted at a subway station. Gait p...
Source: Applied Ergonomics - September 1, 2023 Category: Occupational Health Authors: Xiaojun Lai Yu-Chi Lee Xinye Hong Pei-Luen Patrick Rau Source Type: research

Computer simulation as a macroergonomic approach to assessing nurse workload and biomechanics related to COVID-19 patient care
This study uses Digital Human Modelling (DHM) and Discrete Event Simulation (DES) to examine how caring for COVID-19-positive (C+) patients affects nurses' workload and care-quality. DHM inputs include: nurse anthropometrics, task postures, and hand forces. DES inputs include: unit-layout, patient care data, COVID-19 status & impact on tasks, and task execution-logic. The study shows that reducing nurses' biomechanical workload increases mental workload and decreases direct patient care, potentially leading to stress, burnout, and errors. Compared to pre-pandemic conditions, when nurses were assigned five C+ patients, ...
Source: Applied Ergonomics - September 1, 2023 Category: Occupational Health Authors: Sadeem Munawar Qureshi Michael A Greig Sue Bookey-Bassett Nancy Purdy Helen Kelly Anne vanDeursen W Patrick Neumann Source Type: research

Investigating manual performance when using push buttons following cold water hand immersion
Appl Ergon. 2023 Aug 29;114:104127. doi: 10.1016/j.apergo.2023.104127. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTThe purpose of this study was to investigate manual performance of humans when using push buttons following cold water hand immersion. An experiment involving 29 human participants was carried out to measure the activation rate of twelve different shaped push buttons mounted on a novel test apparatus after their dominant hand was immersed in cold (2 °C) and thermoneutral (34 °C) water for 2 min. A series of standardized hand dexterity tests were completed to assess the participants' baseline tactile sensitivity in a dry t...
Source: Applied Ergonomics - August 31, 2023 Category: Occupational Health Authors: Alexandria Major David Molyneux Robert Brown Source Type: research

Investigating manual performance when using push buttons following cold water hand immersion
Appl Ergon. 2023 Aug 29;114:104127. doi: 10.1016/j.apergo.2023.104127. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTThe purpose of this study was to investigate manual performance of humans when using push buttons following cold water hand immersion. An experiment involving 29 human participants was carried out to measure the activation rate of twelve different shaped push buttons mounted on a novel test apparatus after their dominant hand was immersed in cold (2 °C) and thermoneutral (34 °C) water for 2 min. A series of standardized hand dexterity tests were completed to assess the participants' baseline tactile sensitivity in a dry t...
Source: Applied Ergonomics - August 31, 2023 Category: Occupational Health Authors: Alexandria Major David Molyneux Robert Brown Source Type: research

Autonomic responses to pressure sensitivity of head, face and neck: Heart rate and skin conductance
This study gathered the autonomic response data (heart rate and skin conductance) of 30 landmarks in head, neck and face from 31 participants experiencing pressure discomfort and pressure pain. The results indicate that pressure stimulation can change heart rate (HR) and skin conductance (SC). SC can be more useful in assessing pressure discomfort than HR for specific landmarks, and SC also possesses a faster arousal rate than HR. Moreover, HR decreased in response to pressure stimulation, while SC decreased followed by an increase. In comparisons between genders, the subjective pressure discomfort threshold (PDT) and pres...
Source: Applied Ergonomics - August 28, 2023 Category: Occupational Health Authors: Wenxiu Yang Tingshu Chen Renke He Richard Goossens Toon Huysmans Source Type: research