Association between objective and subjective measurements of comfort and discomfort in hand tools

L.F.M. Kuijt-Evers, T. Bosch, M.A. Huysmans, M.P. de Looze, P. Vink

    Research output: Contribution to JournalArticleAcademicpeer-review

    Abstract

    In the current study, the relationship between objective measurements and subjective experienced comfort and discomfort in using handsaws was examined. Twelve carpenters evaluated five different handsaws. Objective measures of contact pressure (average pressure, pressure area and pressure-time (P-t) integral) in static and dynamic conditions, muscle activity (electromyography) of five muscles of the upper extremity, and productivity were obtained during a sawing task. Subjective comfort and discomfort were assessed using the comfort questionnaire for hand tools and a scale for local perceived discomfort (LPD). We did not find any relationship between muscle activity and comfort or discomfort. The P-t integral during the static measurement (beta=-0.24, p<0.01) was the best predictor of comfort and the pressure area during static measurement was the best predictor of LPD (beta=0.45, p<0.01). Additionally, productivity was highly correlated to comfort (beta=0.31, p<0.01) and discomfort (beta=-0.49, p<0.01). © 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)643-654
    JournalApplied Ergonomics
    Volume38
    Issue number5
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2007

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