HUMAN FACTORS AND ERGONOMICS: UNIT 1 REVISION

“Design is human centred and therefore designers need to ensure that the products they design are

the right size for the user and therefore comfortable to use. Designers have access to data and

drawings which state measurements of human beings of all ages and sizes. Designers need to

consider how users will interact with the product or service. Use and misuse is a constant

consideration.”

Aims of human factors:

★ Reduce errors

★ Enhance operational comfort

★ Reliability

★ Increase safety

★ Ease of use

★ Improve performance and maintenance

Problems with incorrect human factors:

➢ Comfort

➢ Safety

➢ Fatigue

➢ Stress

ANTHROPOMETRICS

Anthropometrics is the use of measurements in design, especially through the collection of data. More

specifically, it is the measurement of the human form and its movements. This differs from ergonomics

which means the study of people and their relationship with the environment. Ergonomics is the

application of anthropometrics in design.

Equipment used:

Calipers

Tapes

Stadiometer - like doctors use to measure

height (with the balances)

Skinfold calipers - pinching skin in a certain way

Torso calipers

Harpenden anthropometer

Lasers

3D Computer Modelling

Body Scanners

Motion Capture - dynamic data to measure

whilst someone is moving

Digital humans - human data is collected on the

computers

What is a harpenden anthropometer? What does it do?

It’s a counter recording instrument which can be effortlessly operated from the tips of its branches. Its

user can, therefore, by means of their free finger-tips actually feel their way to his desired measuring

points in order to obtain a degree of accuracy not possible with conventional anthropometry.

What are some of the problems with collecting reliable anthropometric data?

➔ Reliability - is it really reliable? Everyone is a different shape/size/flexibility etc.

➔ Ethics - is it the right thing to do? How do you get people to agree to get measured? What do

you do with the data?

➔ Types of human selected - The wrong type of people are probably selected.

➔ Limitations - changes all the time, diet has improved, eating better, everybody’s shape is

changing, data is going out of date.

➔ Designers still want to know up to date data.

➔ Designing for the “average person isn’t possible as there are no people whose body

dimensions are ALL in the 50th percentile.

➔ Anthropometric data is not universal. It varies from country to country, age to age, group to

group. The data also changes over time. It’s better than not having that data at all.

Static (structural) data – are the measurements when the body is in a fixed position, i.e static, such as

height. joint to joint, skin and bulk.

Dynamic (functional) data – are measurements that relate a range or reach of various types of body

movements such reach, grip strength, reaction times, etc.

LONG VERSION:

Static anthropometry deals largely with the physical structure of the body. It consists of

measurements of the distance of bones between joint centers including some soft tissue measures in

contour dimensions (includes the wobbly stuff that covers our bodies - muscle, fat, skin, bulk).

Dynamic anthropometrics centers its measurements on functional distances covered by the body as

it performs various activities. Measurements are taken when the body is in motion or engaged in a

physical activity. It includes reach, clearance and volumetric data. Reach signifies the extent that

limbs can get to while clearance is the space allowed for a certain part of the body or the whole body

itself (for example, how many people can walk through a doorway at once). What is a percentile?

A percentile is a measure that tells us what percent of the total frequency scored at or below that

measure. Percentile range: That proportion of a population with a dimension at or less than a given

value. When considering percentile ranges the design context factors in as well:

1. If comfort or safety are important than a range of percentiles must be considered. For

example motorcycle helmets need to fit snugly in order to function properly in protecting the

head.

2. If a product is in short use and safety or comfort such as a school desk then the 50th

percentile would be appropriate.

“Someone in the 95th percentile has 95% of the group below them and 5% above. Someone in the 5th

percentile has 95% of the group above them and 5% below.”

This range of measures is often used in design as it includes all but the most extreme individuals.

Why is the 50th percentile less often used?

It disappoints almost everybody as there are so few people who fit the 50th percentile. Tall people will

feel it is too small, whereas short people will find it too large. Everybody below and everybody above

will dislike it because it will not fit them.

What is ‘design for more types’?

The commonly chosen design range is a trade off that allows for the inclusion of almost everyone in a

design context and only excludes the extremes. The practice of catering for a large percentile range,

most notably 5th% - 95th% is called DESIGN FOR MORE TYPES. It is deemed to offer the best

coverage. Persons outside of this range have to seek customized products to meet their needs.

The user population in anthropometrics is usually defined by sex, age, ethnicity, occupation or social

class. Where children are the user population, age is the most critical factor. If no adequate data is

available for a user population, anthropometric data may need to be collected from a representative

from a representative sample of the user population. More is being included in medical requirements.

Adjustability: range of sizes versus adjustability. Clearance is the space between the user and the

object; reach is the distance from the user to the object without having to put too much stress or strain

on the body.

LONG VERSION:

Designing for a range of sizes means that provision is made within the design for adjustments to

accommodate the anthropometric variability between members of the user group. Usability avoids

anthropometric mismatch. These adjustments can be made by mechanical means, for example

adjusting car seating and steering wheel position. Office chairs have a range of adjustable features

as do ironing boards. Adjustability in design allows a broad population range to interact with the

product.

● Designers using percentile ranges create a trade-off between the needs of a majority and the

requirements of the design.

● In some design contexts this is not sufficient, and the product must be made with features of

adjustability so that it suits a wider range of people

● Adjustability is more likely to be a feature of designs where safety is a consideration

Structural data: This is when measurements are taken of the body in fixed poses. For example

standing measurements used for standing workers. Stature, Eye height, Forward reach, Overhead

reach .

Functional anthropometric data is collected to describe the movement of a body part with respect to

a fixed reference point. For example, data are available concerning the maximum forward reach of

standing subjects. Functional anthropometric data are useful for designing workspaces and

positioning objects within them, particularly in the design of aircraft cockpits, crane cabs, vehicle

interiors and complex control panels in the process industries

Clearance is a critical anthropometric consideration. It is the amount of overhead space required for a

person to enter safely, or the amount of width required to pass through an opening. This may be an

important consideration for accessibility, especially for those in wheelchairs.

Clearance is also the amount of space required to carry out a task safely.

Reach: the area within which manual tasks can be performed easily defined by the workspace

envelope (as hands can reach without stretching). Various important flexions and stresses take place

as a human reaches out or turns which can lead to discomfort and fatigue. The layout of work space

areas has to consider the reach measurements.

★ do not want to put any obstruction unless you want to distract them / safety issue.

★ “out of reach”

PSYCHOLOGICAL FACTORS

Psychological factors include, smell, light, sound, taste, texture and temperature. These are a

significant part of ergonomics and human efficiency and safety can be affected by these factors.

NOTE! INDIVIDUALS REACT DIFFERENTLY TO SENSORY STIMULI BUT EFFICIENCY AND COMFORT

ARE AFFECTED BY THESE FACTORS

Objective information is factual and not influenced.

Subjective information is influenced and is to do with someone who is involved in the product.

TEMPERATURE: Heating conditions at work, in leisure, comfort zones, car interiors and other transport

systems. Effect on worker efficiency.

SOUND: The volume ranges in machinery, engines, effect of noise on concentration.

LIGHT: Workplace lighting, the effect of fluorescent lights or rotating parts in machines, strobing, the

effect of ambient light on mood: calming or stimulating.

COLOUR: Colours have an effect on the emotions, senses of warmness, coldness. Colour has

associations with moods or cultural associations. It can be connected to hygiene or cleanliness.

SMELL: Can be used to evoke emotional responses, mask other odours or suggest particular

activities.

TEXTURE: The feel of materials can suggest quality, comfort or increase awareness of particular

activities.

QUOTE!!

“The effectiveness of a product or environment can be affected by an individual’s reaction to external

sensory stimuli. Design should take into account these factors to improve an operator’s efficiency or

comfort.”

SIGHT: Ease of visibility, readability….

computer screens (anything graphic)

HEARING: Pitch, volume, frequency…

mobile phones

TOUCH: texture, grip, friction,

temperature… dentistry tools (not

slipping)

TASTE: Ingesting toxins…

children’s toys

SMELL: Aroma,

perfume, odour…

workspaces

* NOMINAL:

by name. This scale deals with the classification of data into discrete groups, each of which is

identified with a name. The scale does not provide an order of magnitude. It is organisational. For

example plant/animal/mineral

* ORDINAL:

This scale deals with the order or position of items. It can consist of words, letters, symbols or numbers

arranged in hierarchical order. The difference between items on the scale isn’t indicated so it cannot

be used for quantitative assessment. An ordinal scale might rank things as “first/second/third”

*INTERVAL:

A scale organised into even divisions or intervals so that the difference between

divisions is equal, but there is no natural zero. The Celsius scale is an example.

Freezing is arbitrarily zero. A meaningful ratio between one value on the scale and

another cannot be made, because 40 degrees is not twice as hot as 20 degrees.

*RATIO DATA:

Similar to the interval scale but with a true zero. Height and weight are examples of a

ratio scale since a zero measurement is possible. Richter scale and Kelvin scale are

examples of ratio scales.

The first two types are “categorical” data

The second two are continuous data types

How is psychological data collected in Design?

Focus groups - collect data and

regularly get people (who are in that

market) together to ask what their

thinking about something.

Surveys and questionnaires

User analysis - watching someone

using the product for evidence

Think aloud protocol - ask user to say

what they are thinking as they use it

Iterative design - round in a

circle/cycle, design isn’t start →

finish

Simulations

Direct and indirect observation

two way mirror is indirect (truer)

Experiments - packaging for

example, set up various ways

Task analysis -

watching someone

using the product

Case study -

following a person or

product in a daily life

Self reporting - the

person reports

themselves

How reliable is psychological data if different people receive the same sensory stimuli in different

way?

★ Room temperature can be comfortable to some people and not to others. A shocking noise

for some people may not upset others. People react differently to the same smell.

★ Anyone working with psychological data needs to be aware of the variability of perception.

★ Ordinal data and qualitative data is likely to be more useful than quantitative data in this area.

Can’t measure people’s reaction to smell, texture, taste without subjective words.

★ Also based around what people are used to. Someone from Europe would be used to colder

temps.

What is Human Information Processing Systems (HIPS)?

Information from our surroundings is sent to the brain for integration and processing. The brain then

sends signals to the body to take appropriate action. The actions are called external stimuli.

Input → Sensory process → Central process (brain) → Motor process (body) → output

An example would be: telephone → ears → brain → nerve impulse to muscles in mouth → speak back

There is a problem though! A breakdown in the information processing system could occur at any

stage.

➢ The information input could be incompatible with the sensory receptors. ➢ The input might be too high to be detected. ➢ Sensory receptors might have degenerated. ➢ The incoming information might be incorrect.

➢ Damage to the central processor may have occurred due to a stroke.

➢ The motor output stage may be unable to perform the actions specified by the central

processing unit.

➢ If motor outputs required from a process are incompatible with the capacities and

capabilities of an individual, they will be severely impeded. It may be caused by age, infirmity,

disability.

Alertness - Environmental factors induce different levels of alertness.

★ Temperature: too warm and you get sleepy and less alert – too cold and you become more

alert. Next time you are on a long haul flight note the temperature fluctuations while flying.

★ Sound: too loud which can be distracting or even cause harm, high pitched or repetitive on/off

noises also become distracting.

★ Lighting: too dim hard to see things need to get close or strains the eyes, natural versus

fluorescent (can affect people's eyes)

★ Air quality: excess dust or other pollutants could cause people to find it hard to breathe,

maybe cough, etc. Certain essential or aroma oils are said to improve alertness

★ Smell – bad smells will draw one's attention away as would the smell of a hot apple pie.

LONG VERSION!

The issue of workplace alertness is particularly critical in areas such as transportation, machine use

etc where human error can be very serious. But it is also a question of productivity. Workers who are

not alert are not as productive as those who are and ergonomics shapes the psychological factors

that inhibit alertness. Design has to compromise in this area. Comfort is important for workers and

users of technology and products. But comfort also tends to inhibit alertness. Alertness increases

decision making skills, mental acuity and motor skills and is therefore a key component in worker

efficiency.

sense of danger or threat.. perceived rather than real. The flight or fight reflex increases alertness. Interest.. people who are doing interesting work are more likely to be alert Muscular activity… increases alertness. Sedentary postures inhibit alertness.

Time of day.. people’s circadian rhythms affect their alertness which is particularly important for workers on shifts. Sleep balance: people in deficit are less alert Ingested nutrients/chemicals.. what people have consumed affects their alertness. Stimulants or soporifics.

Environmental light: problems with artificial lights on eye stress. Blue cold light encourages alertness. Strobing or moving lights distract the mind and stress it Temperature and humidity: key point in worker morale. Sound: noise and distraction affect ability to concentrate. Aroma: sharp smells such as pine and citrus increase alertness.

PHYSIOLOGICAL FACTORS

Designers study physical characteristics to optimize the user’s safety, health, comfort and

performance.

Understanding complex biomechanics and designing products to enable full functionality of body

parts can return independence and personal and social well- being to an individual.

What data is available for the main anatomical systems?

★ Skeleton

★ Respiratory functions

★ Heart functions

★ Muscles

★ Strength

★ Blood pressure

★ Skin conductance

★ Central nervous system

Designers may be interested in data about:

❏ Central nervous response (brain waves/electrical activity)

❏ Peripheral responses ( pulse rate, breathing rate, temperature)

❏ Motor responses (eye movement, muscle contraction, skin potential)

Ways data can be collected:

ELECTROENCEPHALOGRAPHY

(EEG) records electrical activity

along the scalp. It measures

voltage fluctuation resulting

ELECTROMYOGRAPHY (EMG)

is a technique for evaluating

and recording electrical

THERMOPHYSIOLOGICAL

SCAN

Thermographic images show

where the body is hot or cold.

from currents in the brain activity in the skeletal muscles This often indicates stress,

strain or fatigue

SKIN MONITORING e.g. clothing,

or backpack - skin monitoring

for heat, moisture. Vast amount

of potentially interesting

information about the skin.

Wearable devices

Heart/ pulse rate monitors

BODY SCANNING this kind of

machinery is very expensive

and is often only available in

hospitals. Only get static data

from body scanning.

Blood oxygen devices

Pressure sensors

MOTION CAPTURE: DIGITAL

HUMANS The use information

technology has become

widespread in physiological

data collection. Motion capture

is often used in the film

industry to create life like

animations. It can also be used

to observe humans working

and turn the information

collected into 3d computer

models to assist design tasks.

Collects dynamic data rather

than static data

Comfort, fatigue, attention span, temperature and humidity must all be considered.

Ergonomic design may involve the analysis of physiological responses in situations where a complex

interplay of variables such as heat, noise, available space, illumination etc all combine to affect a

user’s experience of a product, system or environment.

Physical ergonomics is concerned with human anatomical and biomechanical characteristics as they

relate to physical interaction with a product.

Data is used primarily to inform design decisions that affect COMFORT and FATIGUE

❖ Repeated use of an incorrectly designed product can lead to repetitive strain injury

❖ Incremental damage to the user takes place over a period of time and can lead to long term

physical harm

❖ Designers of workstations, machinery and control surfaces for example have to be

particularly aware of the danger of repetitive strain injury and take steps to avoid it

Physiological factors data can provide useful information about bad posture which can lead to poor

productivity and long term injury.

Designing work areas using appropriate physiological data allows the correct posture to be assumed

for different types of task.

BIOMECHANICS

It is the study of mechanical laws relating to the movement of living organisms, particularly in relation

to the human body. It uses engineering principles to analyse biological systems

“The goal of biomechanics is to study complex forces as they act on the body using principles from engineering.”

1. The study of human physical performance often forms a vital part of ergonomics, particularly

machinery.

2. Often biomechanics is about finding the limitations of what a human can do. How far can the

arm stretch?

3. Biomechanics looks at aspects such as strength and weakness to identify forces needed to

operate switches or turn handles turning the wheels

4. Biomechanics could look at flexibility, for example in accessing car doors human

performance

5. It might consider enhancing human performance for example sports footwear

6. Alternatively it may look at overcoming disability or age related physical disabilities.

Biomechanical issues in sports shoe design:

- Shock absorption, flexion, traction

- Gait analysis (how people walk)

- breathability/ oxygen uptake

- Reactive forces (where is it affecting the reacting body part)

- Stability, pronation (the inward movement of the foot as it rolls to distribute the force of impact

of the ground as you run)

- loading/ load distribution, alignment, bone rotation

- Joint hinging, pressure measurement

Biomechanics of disability:

It has been recognised for some time that people with a range of disabilities may have difficulty using

some kitchen appliances. People in wheelchairs or have limited hand movement due to arthritis.

A special tool or adaptation may be needed so that people with a disability can use an appliance.

Adapting an existing product for disabled to use.

Basically… A large number of people are now older. Also, medical developments, lifestyles are better,

pollution is better, life expectancy is higher - people are living longer so designers have to

accommodate for the elderly and the disabled as well. Older people are also wealthier, so they have

money to spend on stuff that designers make - used to be parents of children who are now starting

their own lives, so they have their own money back (not having to pay for their children’s expenses as

well).

TORSION Turning force

LEVERAGE Applying a force at a fulcrum

GRIP Pressure on a moving surface

RECAP QUESTIONS!

(hint: try these questions on a separate piece of paper before checking against the answers below!)

WHAT IS MEANT BY HUMAN FACTORS IN DESIGN?

Anthropometrics, Psychological factors, Physiological factors. Designers consider these three factors

to ensure products meet ergonomic needs.

WHAT ARE THE AIMS OF HUMAN FACTORS?

Reduce errors, increase safety, increase ease of use, reduce stress and fatigue, enhance operational

comfort, improve performance, reliability and maintenance.

WHAT ARE THE THREE AREAS OF HUMAN FACTORS?

Anthropometrics, Psychological factors, Physiological factors.

DEFINE ANTHROPOMETRICS.

The measurement of human form and its movements.

WHAT TOOLS ARE AVAILABLE TO COLLECT DATA?

Calipers, tapes, lasers, 3d computer modelling, stadiometer, body scanners, motion capture, digital

humans, harpenden anthropometer, torso calipers, skinfold calipers.

WHAT TYPES OF DATA ARE AVAILABLE?

Primary and secondary, static and dynamic data, structural and functional data.

HOW RELIABLE IS ANTHROPOMETRIC DATA?

Depends on reliability, ethics, types on humans selected, and limitations.

EXPLAIN PERCENTILE AND PERCENTILE RANGE

A measure that identifies the total frequency below or at the same level as you. Percentile range is the

frequency that is above the lower boundary but below the higher boundary - includes all but extreme

cases.

HOW USEFUL/ RELIABLE ARE PERCENTILES FOR A DESIGNER?

Percentiles are reliable as it can cover a wide range / population. However, it can go out of date,

exclude certain groups or extreme cases.

GIVE EXAMPLES OF PRODUCTS DESIGNED FOR A VARIETY OF PERCENTILES AND PERCENTILE

RANGES

5th = emergency stop buttons. 95th = ladders or doorways. 5th to 95th = chairs or cars. 50th = washing

machines.

EXPLAIN “USER POPULATION” IN ANTHROPOMETRICS AND HOW PERCENTILE TABLES CAN BE

USED FOR A PARTICULAR USER POPULATION

User population is designed by sex, age, ethnicity, occupation or social class. Percentiles can be used

for the most critical factor or a representation of the population can be measured if the required data

is unavailable.

EXPLAIN ADJUSTABILITY

When the user is able to change the size of an object in order to fit their measurements to

accommodate the anthropometric variety and solve safety issues.

GIVE EXAMPLES WHERE ADJUSTABILITY IN DESIGN IS PREFERABLE TO USING A PERCENTILE

RANGE

Helmets, chairs, seat belts, life jackets, anyone who is operating a machine.

EXPLAIN REACH IN ANTHROPOMETRIC DATA

Reach is the amount of space where manual tasks can be performed within the workspace envelope.

Various stresses can take place if the reach is too far away from the user.

DESCRIBE WHERE REACH DATA MAY BE CRITICAL

Reach data may be critical in workspace designs, pilot cockpits or airline seatings in order to make it

safe for the user and prevent the various stresses taking place and injuring the user if they have to

stretch to reach too far away.

EXPLAIN CLEARANCE IN ANTHROPOMETRIC DATA

The amount of space a user might need overhead or width in order to give the user required space to

move comfortably and avoid safety issues.

DESCRIBE WHERE CLEARANCE DATA MAY BE CRITICAL

Car seats would need overhead clearance data or else someone in the 95%ile will have to slouch in

order to fit into the car.

WHAT ARE PSYCHOLOGICAL FACTORS IN DESIGN?

Psychological factors in design include, the lighting, colour, taste, smell, texture, sound it

makes/around it, and the temperature. Individual people respond differently to psychological factors.

GIVE EXAMPLES OF HOW PSYCHOLOGICAL FACTORS AFFECT DESIGN

Psychological factors could affect how comfortable the user who is sitting in their workspace is based

on the temperature of the workspace. The colour of a shirt, if it is bright yellow, could be unappealing

to the customer due to its colour and texture. The smell of the marker pen could repulse the user.

EXPLAIN THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE DATA

Qualitative data is data about the quality, where subjective information can be collected and opinions

are collected. For instance, the user’s thoughts about colour, texture, comfort. Quantitative data is

mainly numerical data that can be proven and collected / measureable. For instance, the cost, size,

and surface area.

EXPLAIN NOMINAL, ORDINAL, INTERVAL AND RATIO DATA SCALES

Nominal and ordinal data is categorized. Nominal data has a specific name corresponding to the

group, whereas ordinal is based on first/second/third. Interval and ratio data scales are more

continuous, where interval is where measurements can be identified however there is no relation to

two measurements. Ratio data scales are continuous and have a relation, e.g. 20 cm is twice as large

as 10 cm.

GIVE AN EXAMPLE OF EACH

Nominal data: animals include giraffes, hippos, zebras, cats, dogs. Ordinal data: shortest, taller, tallest.

Interval data: 20 degrees C, 30 degrees C, 40 degrees C. Ratio data: 20cm, 30cm, 40cm, height.

LIST THREE WAYS THAT PSYCHOLOGICAL DATA IS COLLECTED.

Focus groups, case studies, surveys and questionnaires.

WHAT EFFECT DOES HUMAN PERCEPTION HAVE ON THE RELIABILITY AND ACCURACY OF

PSYCHOLOGICAL FACTORS DATA?

Makes psychological data very unreliable and so has to be treated with care. Different people have

different perceptions and it is influenced by very different things, such as attitude, time, work setting,

social setting, experience, motion, sounds, surroundings. This means designers have a very tricky task

of collecting reliable data. However, if enough data from enough people is collected in a fair manner, a

reliable result could be collected.

EXPLAIN THE HUMAN INFORMATION PROCESSING SYSTEM (HIPS)

Information about our surroundings is continually being supplied by our senses. This information is

sent to the brain for processing and integration, the brain sends information to the body to take

appropriate action.

SHOW THE HIPS USING A FLOW DIAGRAM

Smell of smoke → olfactory sensory process → brain → nerve impulses to muscles → push the

emergency stop

APPLY THE HIPS TO A COMMON TASK

Familiarity of the vehicle controls that needs HIPS data for drivers (esp. experienced drivers)

GIVE 3 REASONS WHY THE HIPS MIGHT BREAK DOWN

Age related degeneration, disability of all kinds - wheelchairs, also if the input is incorrect.

ALERTNESS IS A CRITICAL ELEMENT OF SAFETY AND PRODUCTIVITY IN THE WORKPLACE AREAS.

WHAT FACTORS AFFECT ALERTNESS?

The factors that affect alertness are related to the senses: sight, smell, taste, texture, sounds. Physical

factors, psychological factors, mental factors and sensory factors affect alertness as well. These

factors would affect the user’s alertness. Also, the level of comfort would affect alertness, time zones,

and fatigue.

HOW CAN ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS AFFECT WORKER FATIGUE AND COMPROMISED

ALERTNESS?

The worker’s fatigue, and alertness can sometimes be compromised due to environmental factors

such as the natural light, the temperature, the zones of alertness, the same dull textures will not

stimulate the user and the musty smell would distract them.

WHAT CAN THE DESIGNER DO TO OPTIMIZE ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS AND MAXIMIZE

WORKPLACE PERFORMANCE?

The designer can consider the various ways of lighting the work area, minimizing annoying humming

sounds, and attempt a minimalist design of the workspace (fewer large, bright colours) and also have

different materials with different textures. A nice, pleasant smell such as coffee, or cinnamon, or

lemon would help maximize workplace performance. Sometimes the neutral colours can be quite

nice, and the sound of soft music could stimulate the user’s mind.

EXPLAIN WHY PHYSIOLOGICAL DATA IS COLLECTED AND USED IN DESIGN

Physiological data is collected to optimize the user’s safety, comfort, health, and performance in the

design of the product. It is used in design to avoid lack of productivity.

WHAT DATA IS COLLECTED?

Data can be collected about user’s motor responses, peripheral responses, and central nervous

responses. Skeleton, Respiratory functions, Heart functions, Muscles, Strength, Blood pressure, Skin

conductance, and Central nervous systems can be collected.

WHAT METHODS ARE USED TO COLLECT PHYSIOLOGICAL DATA?

Methods that are used to collect physiological data include EEG, EMG, Thermophysiological scans,

skin monitoring, body scanning, and motion capture.

WHAT IS MEANT BY REPETITIVE STRAIN?

Repetitive strain is when the user repeatedly uses a product incorrectly or the product is incorrectly

designed and causes additional stress and injuries for the user.

WHAT COULD BE THE CAUSES OF BAD POSTURE?

Causes of bad posture could include the incorrect anthropometric data of the user population;

incorrect physiological data is also a cause which leads to lack of productivity.

WHAT IS MEANT BY BIOMECHANICS?

The study of mechanical laws relating to the movement of living organisms, particularly in relation to

the human body. It uses engineering principles to analyse biological systems.

HOW IS BIOMECHANICS USED IN DESIGN?

The goal of biomechanics is to study the forces as they act on the body using principles from

engineering. For instance, footwear or sports science is where biomechanics need to be used to see

how the human body moves and acts. It is a vital part of ergonomics, looking at the limits of the human

body, the strength and weaknesses for forces, enhancing or adapting existing products for disabled

or elderly.

WHAT MECHANICAL FORCES ARE CONSIDERED IN THE DESIGN OF SPORTS FOOTWEAR?

The mechanical forces that are considered in the design of footwear include pronation, breathability,

traction, gait analysis, pressure measurements, stability, joint rotation, loading, and more.

HOW CAN BIOMECHANICS BE USED TO DEVELOP PRODUCTS FOR THE DISABLED?

Elderly and disabled may have trouble getting into a car: their feet need to be under the

compartment, the seats are relatively low, their backs may need to be hunched to bend over.

Wheelchair users would need ramps and areas for them to freely move, especially in transportation.

The torsion or grip required to unscrew a jar or open a lid would be difficult for disabled users which

means a tool would have to be designed to accommodate this.