• IE interfaces
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.125-137
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• 1998

A new vehicle design approach coupled with an ergonomic human model was proposed in the study. The seating package layout of a vehicle is very important to the driving comfort, and it has been one of the primary ergonomic research areas since the past 30 years. The diverse and interrelated design factors of seating package layout in the limited workspace make designers often neglect many parameters related with drivers which differ in their anthropometric characteristics. It is due to the lack of the proper tools by which the designer can easily apply several ergonomic design guidelines to the vehicle design. In this study. an iterative package layout procedure was developed, and the effectiveness of an ergonomic human model was examined in this procedure. A discomfort function was developed for the quantitative evaluation of the driving posture. This study clearly demonstrates that the package layout using an ergonomic human model is very helpful to improve the usability and driving comfort of the drivers or passengers.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.90-96
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• 2015

Background: The physical work demands of construction work can be reduced using ergonomic measures. The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of ergonomic measures related to musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) among construction workers. Methods: A questionnaire was sent at baseline and 2 years later to 1,130 construction workers. We established (1) the proportion of workers reporting an increase in their use of ergonomic measures, (2) the proportion of workers reporting a decrease in MSDs, (3) the relative risk for an increase in the use of ergonomic measures and a decrease in MSDs, and (4) workers' knowledge and opinions about the use of ergonomic measures. Results: At follow-up, response rate was 63% (713/1,130). The proportion of workers using ergonomic measures for vertical transport increased (34%, 144/419, p < 0.01); for measures regarding horizontal transport and the positioning of materials, no change was reported. The proportion of workers reporting shoulder complaints decreased (28%, 176/638, p = 0.02). A relationship between the use of ergonomic measures and MSDs was not found; 83% (581/704) of the workers indicated having sufficient knowledge about ergonomic measures. Lightening the physical load was reported to be the main reason for using them. Conclusion: Only the use of ergonomic measures for vertical transport increased over a 2-year period. No relationship between the use of ergonomic measures and MSDs was found. Strategies aimed at improving the availability of ergonomic equipment complemented with individualized advice and training in using them might be the required next steps to increase the use of ergonomic measures.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.91-96
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• 2010

Purpose: Among computer users, the awkward posture and workstation setups of workers contribute to work-related upper limb musculoskeletal disorders. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a traditional physical therapy and ergonomic intervention by physical therapists in 4 computer users. Methods: After checking Visual Analogue Scores (VAS), four subjects who were treated by physical therapy for neck and shoulder problems related to VDT syndrome were enrolled in the study. All subjects spent at least 40 hours per week at a computer workstation. All subjects had pain and ergonomic states evaluated using methods such as VAS, Neck Disability Index (NDI), Workstyle short form, Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA), and OSHA VDT checklist (Occupational Safety and Health Administration video display terminal) before a physical therapy + ergonomic intervention. Participants were re-evaluated 1 month later. Results: Participants showed more improvement of their neck pain after being treated with a physical therapy plus ergonomic intervention than when treatment consisted only of physical therapy. Improvements in RULA, Workstyle short form, and OSHA VDT checklist also were achieved. Conclusion: This case study suggests the importance of examining the work habits and work-related postures of subjects who complain of neck and shoulder pain that is exacerbated by computer use. Personalized ergonomic interventions and physical therapy can lead to improvement of patients with VDT syndrome.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.437-445
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• 2015

Objective: The aims of this study are to investigate the trends of intellectual property in order to identify the ergonomic approaches on musculoskeletal disorders, harmful factors of musculoskeletal disorders, and to find the potential applicability of motion capture technology. Background: Ergonomic posture assessment tools often showed interrater variance, though the usage is easy and practical in industrial fields. Moreover new technologies such as motion capture showed the potential applicability in posture assessment. So ergonomists and practitioners became interested in the intellectual properties on musculoskeletal disorder and motion capture technology. Method: Intellectual properties were collected with the combination of keywords such as ergonomic, musculoskeletal disorder, and motion capture using the KIPRIS (Korea Intellectual Property Rights Information Service). Collected intellectual properties were classified into ergonomic area and non-ergonomic area, except unexamined intellectual properties. This study investigated the trend of application of intellectual properties and the probability of using motion capture technology. Results: Few intellectual properties with ergonomic approach on musculoskeletal disorders were founded, despite many products for rehabilitation and sports. One hundred twenty five patents in 1105 patents on musculoskeletal disorders and 138 patents in 1908 patents on motion capture technology were classified into the patents that ergonomic approach can be applied. The patents related to ergonomics area are rapidly increasing after 2010, and there are good opportunities for ergonomists to apply the patents. Conclusion: This study found opportunities on novel methodology in detecting the harmful factors of musculoskeletal disorders, and that the motion capture technology is applicable in ergonomic posture assessment. Application: The results of this study can help ergonomists prepare the ergonomic patents, and can show the potential use of motion capture technology in detecting the harmful posture of musculoskeletal disorders.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2017

Objective: Two control rooms of a petroleum complex were ergonomically evaluated for this study using diverse drawings of the rooms. The objective of the study is to show the evaluation process and its results, assessment method and essential elements for drawing-based ergonomic evaluation. Background: Ergonomics can enhance the working environment and safety for a control room when implemented effectively. A control room design was examined by ergonomists based on ergonomic principles and well-practiced standards. This study was conducted because a construction consortium wanted to perform an ergonomic evaluation of the control rooms before the construction. Method: A simple evaluation process, composed with a pre-evaluation, an evaluation and a post-evaluation, was employed to carry out the study. ISO 11064, NUREG-0700, NUREG/CR-6150, and CRIOP were reviewed to evaluate the control rooms. The assessment ranges over the control room layout, workstations, display and control, environmental requirements and safety. Three ergonomists participated in the study and performed the evaluation for two months. Results: An experienced consortium of construction companies designed the petroleum complex and control rooms. No significant ergonomic design problems were detected. Quantitative recommendations were provided for the layout and workstation dimensions. Specific design directions were also proposed for environmental requirements and safety. Conclusion and Application: Design advice and minor potential problems were reported as results of the drawing-based ergonomic evaluation. More practical suggestions could be additionally provided if an on-site assessment was conducted. However, the ergonomic evaluation used in this study could be helpful and applied to designing and evaluating other various control rooms prior to their construction.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.131-135
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• 2012

Objective: The aim of this study is to gain an overview of the ergonomic research trends in the shipbuilding industry. Background: The number of ergonomic studies on the shipbuilding industry has increased significantly in recent years. Method: Various ergonomic papers on the shipbuilding industry have been reviewed to find ergonomic research trends. Results: The tendency observed in these studies shows that the work-related musculoskeletal disorders(WMSDs) is the most important research subject in the shipbuilding industry. Conclusion: The previous studies, focused on the physical aspects of the work, are now replaced by studies such as organizational and psychophysical studies. Application: These results can be used to provide baseline information for ergonomic research in the shipbuilding industry.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Medicine & Therapy Science
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.73-80
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• 2018

Objective: We developed an ergonomic pruning shears that allows the user to freely adjust the width of the grip and conducted this study to examine the effects of the pruning shears on grip strength and the fatigue of the fingers. Method: The maximum grip strength was first measured with an digital dynamometer, and the maximum grip strength was measured again after the subjects repeated scissoring 100 times using general pruning shears or ergonomic pruning shears. Borg's CR-10 scale was used to measure subjective fatigue after using the two pruning shears. Results: When the grip strength values after using the two pruning shears were compared with each other the mean grip strength after using ergonomic pruning shears was 27.69 kg, which was higher than that after using general pruning shears, 25.73 kg (p<.05). The subjective fatigue when the two pruning shears were used was shown to be 3.6 points for general pruning shears and 1.73 points for ergonomic pruning shears (p<.05). Conclusion: After repeating scissoring 100 times, the fatigue of the fingers was lower when ergonomic pruning shears were used than when general pruning shears were used and grip strength was higher when ergonomic pruning shears were used than when general pruning shears were used.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.434-445
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• 2014

The meaning of this research is to make recognition for necessity of ergonomic fashion design research. And the purpose is to provide the guidelines for ergonomic fashion product development. For this, literature research and analysis of empirical illustration of product design indicating ergonomics characteristic are implemented. Among the body-conscious active sportswear, cycle wear, swim suit, and skin scuba wet suit were selected and analyzed. Then they were explained according to the ergonomics characteristics arranged previously. Lastly, the features of ergonomic fashion design were arranged by composition elements of the clothing such as pattern, sewing, material and detail. The characteristics of ergonomic design derived from literature and advanced researches are efficiency, usability, functionality and safety. Through research and analysis, the characteristics of ergonomic fashion design are as followings. In pattern, it is related to the 3D structure division pattern, the reduction pattern design, the closing & opening part design for easy detachment, the receipt and the changeable design. In sewing, it is related to the use of latest sewing techniques and the finish using silicon or rubber band. In material, it is related to the use of high performance fabrics and the proper arrangement of these. In detail, it is related to the convenient detail, the storage detail, the adjustable detail, and the body protection detail.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.733-740
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• 2012

Objective: The present study systematically analyzed the characteristics of ergonomic layout optimization methods by a comprehensive literature survey. Background: Although layout design methods for ergonomic placement of controls and displays on a console have been developed, understanding of their characteristics is lacking. Method: The present study analyzed layout optimization papers published past 20 years from the following four aspects: optimization model, optimization algorithm, design principle, and constraint/assumption. Results: The existing layout optimization methods based on various optimization techniques consider only a partial set of four layout principles(importance, frequency of use, sequence of use, and functional grouping) and two ergonomic criteria(visibility and reach). In addition, the existing methods oversimplify components in various sizes, shapes, and angles by assuming the equality of the components in size and shape. Conclusion: A more effective layout optimization method is needed which considers the layout principles and ergonomic criteria in a comprehensive manner and reflect the diversity of components in size and shape. Application: The identified characteristics on the existing layout optimization methods can be applicable to development of a better ergonomic console layout design method.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.1-13
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• 2007

Ergonomic methods have been effectively applied to design and evaluation of functional clothing. The goals of the present study are to: (1) develop an ergonomic evaluation system for the systematic analysis of functional clothing and (2) examine the usefulness of the proposed evaluation system by applying to flame-proof clothing. Based on the survey of literature and the brainstorming of experts in clothing design and ergonomics, factors considered for clothing evaluation were selected, classified, and complemented, resulting in an ergonomic clothing evaluation system consisting of four factor categories (clothing construction, user, work and environment, and user response). Using the proposed system, a field survey and a laboratory experiment were conducted for flame-proof clothing to identify its design problems. The field survey to workers found a comprehensive set of problems on the flame-proof clothing design in terms of pattern, textile, and color. The laboratory experiment identified additional design problems using a questionnaire that was developed based on an analysis on the relationship between clothing design components and ergonomic evaluation measures. The present study showed the ergonomic evaluation system and the relationship analysis of clothing design components and ergonomic evaluation measures are of use to identify design problems of functional clothing in a comprehensive and analytic manner.