Do age and work pace affect variability when performing a repetitive light assembly task?

This study examined whether a repetitive light assembly task could be performed according to different movement sequences identified as ways of doing (WoD), and whether the age of the participants or the work pace affected the number of WoDs selected by each participant, or the kinematic parameters for each WoDs. For two work paces, 62 right-handed men in 3 age-groups were asked to fix a handle on a base with 2 nuts without discontinuity for a period of 20 min; no assembly procedure was demonstrated. The WoDs were characterized by a cross tabulation video coding method, and by measuring vertical force applied and the parameters of upper limb kinematics, as well as these measures' approximate entropy (ApEN).

Which subject-related variables contribute to movement variability during a simulated repetitive and standardised occupational task? Recurrence quantification analysis of surface electromyographic signals.

Movement variability is a component of human movement. This study applied recurrence quantification analysis (RQA) on electromyographic signals to determine the effects of two types of variables on movement variability during a short, simulated repetitive and standardised occupational clip-fitting task. The electrical activity of six muscles in the dominant upper limb was recorded in 21 participants.

Comparing learning during the familiarization phase with a slanted mouse and a vertical mouse when performing a repeated pointing-clicking task.

. Vertical and slanted mouse models have been developed to reduce forearm pronation. Discomfort, performance and stresses have been analyzed with these mice in previous studies but not learning during the familiarization phase.

Study of between-subject and within-subject variability of electromyography data and its intrinsic determinants for clip fitting tasks.

Knowledge of motor variability is an essential step towards understanding a subject's working activity. This study aims to assess within-subject and between-subject variability and the intrinsic factors that drive variability during a clip fitting task in the laboratory. Muscular activity is recorded on six muscles of each upper limb.

Effects of mouse slant and desktop position on muscular and postural stresses, subject preference and performance in women aged 18-40 years.

This study compared muscular and postural stresses, performance and subject preference in women aged 18-40 years using a standard mouse, a vertical mouse and a slanted mouse in three different computer workstation positions. Four tasks were analysed: pointing, pointing-clicking, pointing-clicking-dragging and grasping-pointing the mouse after typing. Flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS) and extensor carpi radialis (ECR) activities were greater using the standard mouse compared to the vertical or slanted mouse.

A better way of fitting clips? A comparative study with respect to physical workload.

The clip fitting task is a frequently encountered assembly operation in the car industry. It can cause upper limb pain. During task laboratory simulations, upper limb muscular activity and external force were compared for 4 clip fitting methods: with the bare hand, with an unpowered tool commonly used at a company and with unpowered and powered prototype tools.

Similarities between work related musculoskeletal disorders and slips, trips and falls.

Most occupational risks manifest themselves through movements performed at work, for example musculoskeletal disorders, slips, trips and falls. Research focusing on such risks often differentiates diseases from accidents. All these risks prove to be diffuse, widespread, emergent and devoid of an external harmful hazard, when analysed through their common vector, i.

Modelling gait processes as a combination of sensory-motor and cognitive controls in an attempt to describe accidents on the level in occupational situations.

In occupational situations, accidents referred to as accidents on the level (AoLs) occur most of the time when locomotion control fails. This control is determined by the interactions between the operator and the environment, the task and the used tools. Hence, AoLs prevention requires developing ways to optimise these interactions.