Title
The effect of work pace on workload, motor variability and fatigue during simulated light assembly work
Author
Bosch, T.
Mathiassen, S.E.
Visser, B.
de Looze, M.D.
van Dieën, J.V.
Publication year
2011
Abstract
This study investigated the effect of work pace on workload, motor variability and fatigue during light assembly work. Upper extremity kinematics and electromyography (EMG) were obtained on a cycle-to-cycle basis for eight participants during two conditions, corresponding to "normal" and "high" work pace according to a predetermined time system for engineering. Indicators of fatigue, pain sensitivity and performance were recorded before, during and after the task. The level and variability of muscle activity did not differ according to work pace, and manifestations of muscle fatigue or changed pain sensitivity were not observed. In the high work pace, however, participants moved more efficiently, they showed more variability in wrist speed and acceleration, but they also made more errors. These results suggest that an increased work pace, within the range addressed here, will not have any substantial adverse effects on acute motor performance and fatigue in light, cyclic assembly work. © 2011 Taylor & Francis.
Subject
Organisation
SP - Sustainable Productivity
BSS - Behavioural and Societal Sciences
Workplace
Electromyography
Fatigue
Industrial ergonomics
Variability
Work pace
To reference this document use:
http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:0641a790-d1ed-4b86-9722-bcaf1e3abe7a
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1080/00140139.2010.538723
TNO identifier
427536
ISSN
0014-0139
Source
Ergonomics, 54 (2), 154-168
Document type
article