• International conference on construction engineering and project management
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• 2022.06a
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• pp.1242-1242
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• 2022

Annually, several construction workers fall ill, are injured, or die due to heat-related exposure. The prevalence of work-related heat illness may rise and become an issue for workers operating in temperate climates, given the increase in frequency and intensity of heatwaves in the US. An increase in temperature negatively impacts physical exertion levels and mental state, thereby increasing the potential of accidents on the job site. To reduce the impact of heat stress on workers, it is critical to develop and implement measures for monitoring physical exertion levels and mental state in hot conditions. For this, limited studies have evaluated the utility of wearable biosensors in measuring physical exertion and mental workload in hot conditions. In addition, most studies focus solely on male participants, with little to no reference to female workers who may be exposed to greater heat stress risk. Therefore, this study aims to develop a process for objective and continuous assessment of worker physical exertion and mental workload using wearable biosensors. Physiological data were collected from eight (four male and four female) participants performing a simulated drilling task at 92oF and about 50% humidity level. After removing signal artifacts from the data using multiple filtering processes, the data was compared to a perceived muscle exertion scale and mental workload scale. Results indicate that biosensors' features can effectively detect the change in worker physical and mental state in hot conditions. Therefore, wearable biosensors provide a feasible and effective opportunity to continuously assess worker physical exertion and mental workload.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.62 no.5
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• pp.519-525
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• 2019

Objective : The circadian pattern of the onset time of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) has been reported by various authors. However, the effect of the degree of physical exertion on the circadian pattern has not been studied in detail. Therefore, we conducted this study to investigate the effect of physical exertion on the circadian pattern of aSAH. Methods : Of the 335 patients presenting with aSAH from January 2012 to December 2017, 234 patients with identifiable onset time and metabolic equivalent (MET) values were enrolled. The onset time of aSAH was divided into 4-hour intervals. The patient's physical exertion was then assessed on a scale between 1 and 8 METs using generally accepted MET values, and categorized into two groups-light exertion (1 to 4 METs) and moderate to heavy exertion (5 to 8 METs)-to determine the effect of the degree of physical exertion on the onset time distribution of aSAH. Multivariate analysis was used to calculate the odds ratio (OR) between the two groups to determine the effect of the degree of physical exertion on each set of time periods. Results : There was a definite bimodal onset pattern that peaked at 08:00-12:00 hours followed by 16:00-20:00 hours (p<0.001). MET values at all time intervals were found to be significantly higher than the night time (00:00-04:00 hours) values (p<0.031). The MET value distribution showed a unimodal pattern that slightly differed from the bimodal distribution of the onset time of aSAH. There were no significant differences in the ORs of each time interval according to the degree of the MET value. Conclusion : This study reaffirmed that aSAH occurs in a bimodal pattern, especially showing the highest prevalence in the morning. Although aSAH could be related to daily activity, there were no significant changes in diurnal variations affected by the degree of physical exertion.

• International conference on construction engineering and project management
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• 2022.06a
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• pp.450-457
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• 2022

The construction industry is demanding, dynamic, and complex making it difficult for workers to recognize hazards. The nature of construction tasks exposes workers to several critical risk factors, such as a high rate of exertion and fatigue. Recent studies suggest that fatigue may impact hazard recognition in the construction industry. However, most studies rely on subjective measures when assessing the relationship between physical fatigue and hazard recognition, limiting such studies' efficacy. Thus, this study examined the relationship between physical fatigue and hazard recognition using a controlled experiment. Worker fatigue levels were captured using physiological data and a subjective exertion scale. The findings confirmed that physical exertion plays a significant role in hazard recognition skills (p < 0.05). This research contributes to theory and practice by providing a process for objectively assessing the influence of physical fatigue on worker safety and providing construction professionals with some critical insight needed to improve workplace safety.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.1-8
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• 2017

Background: Individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) rely on their upper limbs for body-lifting activity (BLA). While studies have examined the electromyography (EMG) and kinematics of the shoulder joints during BLA, no studies have considered foot position during BLA. Objects: This study compared the effects of different foot positions during BLA on the shoulder muscle activities, peak plantar pressure, knee flexion angle, and rating perceived exertion in individuals with SCI. Methods: The study enrolled 13 mens with motor-complete paraplegic SCI, ASIA (American Spinal Injury Association) A or B. All subjects performed BLA with the feet positioned on the wheelchair footrest and on the floor independently. Surface EMG was used to collect data from the latissimus dorsi, pectoralis major, serratus anterior, and triceps brachii. The peak plantar pressure was measured using pedar-X and the knee flexion angle with Image J. Borg's rating perceived exertion scale was used to measure the physical activity intensity level. The paired t-test was used to compare the shoulder muscle activities, peak plantar pressure, knee flexion angle, and rating perceived exertion between the two feet positions during BLA. Results: The activity of the latissimus dorsi, pectoralis major, serratus anterior, and triceps brachii and rating perceived exertion decreased significantly and the peak plantar pressure and knee flexion angle increased significantly when performing BLA with the feet positioned on the wheelchair footrest compared with on the floor (p<.05). Conclusion: These findings suggest that individuals with SCI may perform BLA with the feet positioned on the wheelchair footrest for weight-relief lifting to decrease the shoulder muscle activities and the rating perceived exertion and to increase the peak plantar pressure and the knee flexion angle.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.523-533
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• 2016

Purpose: This study was done to examine physical, psycho-social, and individual factors influencing musculoskeletal symptoms among Korean military trainees. Methods: Using a correlation study design, military trainees who had completed almost of all the basic combat training (BCT) days were recruited from two military training units selected by convenience sampling. Data from 415 participants were analyzed. Results: Prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms was 29.6% defined as a participant having pain or discomfort in one or more body parts during training hours for more than seven consecutive days. Back/pelvic (10.8%), knees (10.1%), shoulders (7.7%), feet/toes (5.6%), ankles (4.8%) were prone to musculoskeletal symptoms. Musculoskeletal symptoms appeared to be related to physical exertion during BCT, stress during BCT, social support from fellow trainees, or previous musculoskeletal injuries. In the logistic regression model, physical exertion during BCT (OR=2.27, 95% CI: 1.42~3.65), stress during BCT (OR=1.79, 95% CI: 1.15~2.78), and previous musculoskeletal injuries (OR=1.58, 95% CI: 1.01~2.47) were the significant factors affecting prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms. Conclusion: Findings indicate that physical exertion and psycho-social stress should be managed to prevent musculoskeletal symptoms in military trainees with more attention being given to trainees having a history of musculoskeletal injuries.

• Asia Marketing Journal
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.27-39
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• 2020

Building on the growing literature on how physical bodily expressions influence psychological processes, the authors propose that exerting physical strength decreases risk perceptions and increases preference for risky options by increasing perceptions of control or agency. The present research is based on the belief of "no pain, no gain", that when an individual exerts physical strength and effort, he believes he can be the agent in bringing about the desired outcome. Because of this automatic association between exerting physical strength and the sense of being in control of the outcome, the authors hypothesize that even in situations where the outcome is determined by chance and luck, individuals exerting effort feel they have more control and thus choose riskier, but more desirable, options. Furthermore, this research clarifies the distinction between physical exertion of strength, high- and low-power poses, and psychological power.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.144-148
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• 2018

Background: The objective of this study is to find temporal trends in the associations between cardiovascular disease and occupational risk factors in the context of the Canadian population. Methods: Population data were analyzed from the Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS) collected between 2001 and 2014 for trends over time between heart disease and various occupational risk factors: hours worked, physical exertion at work, and occupation type (management/arts/education, business/finance, sales/services, trades/transportations, and primary industry/processing). Results: We found no significant difference in the average number of hours worked/wk between individuals who report having heart disease in all years of data except in 2011 ($F_{1,96}=7.02$, p = 0.009) and 2012 ($F_{1,96}=8.86$, p = 0.004). We also found a significant difference in the degree of physical exertion at work in 2001 ($F_{1,79}=7.45$, p = 0.008). There were statistically significant results of occupation type on self-reported heart disease from 2003 to 2014. Conclusion: Canadian data from the CCHS do not exhibit a trend toward an association between heart disease and the number of hours worked/wk. There is an association between heart disease and physical exertion at work, but the trend is inconsistent. The data indicate a trend toward an association between heart disease and occupation type, but further analysis is required to determine which occupation type may be associated with heart disease.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.36-44
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• 2010

This study has been conducted on the subjects of eight undergraduate students with abdominal obesity and eight undergraduate students with normal weight to find out correlation between substantial fatigue and Ratings of perceived exertion through analysis of their blood components when they took exercises to strengthen their abdominal muscular power. Comparatively analyzing HDL-C, LDL-C and lactic acid before and after they took sit-up at level of RPE 19-20, no statistically significant differences in HDL, LDL, lactic acid measures were observed between groups, but a significant difference in RPE was noted between groups(p<0.05) Our findings suggest that control group showed no significant difference in increase of fatigue material whereas the obese group showed a lower frequency of sit-up, though both groups took the same abdominal exercise. Additionally, the lower frequency of sit-up in obese group results from relatively higher Ratings of perceived exertion rather than increase of substantial fatigue material. This study invites future research that examines the effect of a comprehensive obesity exercise program combined with dietetic on ratings of perceived exertion in individuals with obesity.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.86-92
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• 2014

Objective: Whole body vibration (WBV) and plyometrics are common training techniques which increase strength, blood flow, and lower body force and power. The effects these techniques have on sedentary population is unknown. It is our aim to assess the effectiveness of WBV and plyometrics on sedentary population. Design: Experimental study. Methods: Twenty-seven sedentary subjects were assigned to either the control group, jumping only group, or jumping with vibration group. Jump height (myotest or vertec), velocity, force, blood lactates, and rating of perceived exertion (RPE). Subjects were measured on the initial, seventh, and eighteenth visits. Control group attended measurements only. Jumping only and jumping with vibration groups performed jumping from a vibrating platform to a surface 7 1/2 inches higher for 3 bouts of 20 seconds. Each subject in jumping only and jumping with vibration groups attended three times per week for six weeks. Vibration was set at 40 Hz and 2-4 mm of displacement. Results: There was no significant change among groups in force, velocity, vertec height, and myotest height. However there was a significant increase in vertec height from initial to final measure (p<0.05) for jumping with vibration group. RPE was significantly higher between control group and jumping with vibration group after intervention (p<0.05). Conclusions: WBV with vibration increased jump height. Jumping with vibration group experienced increased exertion than for controls. WBV with plyometrics had no effect on force, velocity, blood lactates, or calculated jump height. Further studies controlling for initial measure of blood lactates and using an external focus may be necessary to elicit velocity, force and jump height changes.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.25-34
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• 1994

This study investigated the hypothesis that purposeful activity is an intrinsic motivator. Affecting exertion during the performance of purposeful and nonpurposeful activity was studied in 30 elementary school students. The subjects acted as their own controls in the performance of other exercise. The three experimental exercises were jumping rope, defined as a nonpurposeful activity, and jumping rope with reinforcement, defined as purposeful activity I, and jumping rope with double reinforcement (food), defined as purposeful activity II. Duration and cessation of exercise were entirely controlled by the subject. The number of jumps were measured immediately after cessation of exercise and duration of exercise in seconds by observer. The results were as follows : 1. There was a significant difference in the required time of performance between purposeful and nonpurposeful jumping (p< .05). 2. There was a significant difference in the number of jumps between nonpurposeful and nonpurposeful jumping after reinforcement. (p< .05). Implications for practice and further research are discussed.