Validity of heart-rate based measurements of oxygen consumption during work with light and moderate physical activity.

For ergonomic purposes it is useful to quantify the energy expenditure and the level of physical activity imposed on workers. Oxygen consumption (VO₂) is often used to calculate energy expenditure and can be used as an indication of physical activity. Twenty-five subjects participated in the study.

Participative development of packages in the food industry--evaluation of ergonomics and productivity by objective measurements.

Rationalizations generally have a negative effect on health and known risk factors for musculoskeletal disorders. These effects may be reduced by paying attention to modifiers as worker participation and a resonant management style. In this study a participatory approach was used in the food industry in order to improve ergonomics and productivity.

Head movements during two computer work tasks assessed by accelerometry.

We investigated whether potential differences in head inclinations and accelerations for two highly similar computer work tasks could be detected using (1) a triaxial accelerometer and (2) a simulated uniaxial accelerometer. Ten subjects' head movements were registered with a triaxial accelerometer system for two similar document-management tasks at their work place: a fully electronic document-management task and one also involving paper documents. In situations where head movements were small, a triaxial accelerometer was able to discriminate between the different degrees of static work of the neck in terms of range of head inclinations and accelerations.

Bicycle messengers: energy expenditure and exposure to air pollution.

The purpose of the study was to determine the level of energy expenditure and exposure to air pollution for bicycle messengers. Relationships between heart rate (HR) and oxygen uptake, and between HR and pulmonary ventilation (VE) for each participant were established in laboratory tests. Air pollution and HR were measured during one working day.

Awkward work postures: association with occupational gender segregation.

Background: Segregation of men and women into different jobs is often cited as one of the most plausible explanations for gender differences in exposure and musculoskeletal disorders.

Methods: Direct measurements of sitting, arm, and trunk postures were taken with two different technical instruments on 156 subjects (78 matched pairs of one female and one male worker) over one full workday in diverse labor markets.

Results: Exposure differences between workers were strongly associated with vertical occupational segregation (measured as level of status/authority).