Cardiorespiratory Response to Workload Volume and Ergonomic Risk: Automotive Assembly Line Operators’ Adaptations

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Overall the authors performed well-structured and scientific research. The manuscript is also well organized.

Minor clarification on these words “Workload volume” or “Work Volume”, and “Operators’ Adaptations” should be included in the manuscript for novices.  

 

Relational of the research is not convening. The need for the study is not justifiable! 

#AdditionalComments

1. What is the main question addressed by the research?  The main research question addressed by this study was to distinct workload volumes and ergonomic risk (ER) scores at an automotive assembly line based on HRV response 
2. What parts do you consider original or relevant for the field? What specific gap in the field does the paper address? Overall methodology could be novel. It could be future extruded to other industries. Currently, no study elaborates on the distinct workload based on the HRV response, this study attempted to do that.
3. What does it add to the subject area compared with other published material? It adds value to the methodology in the domain of ergonomics. 
4. What specific improvements should the authors consider regarding the methodology? What further controls should be considered? Relational of the research is not convening. The need for the study is not justifiable! 
5. Please describe how the conclusions are or are not consistent with the evidence and arguments presented. Please also indicate if all main questions posed were addressed and by which specific experiments. The conclusions were written in line with pieces of evidence. It also explains in addresses the research gap. 
6. Are the references appropriate? Yes, the references are appropriate
7. Please include any additional comments on the tables and figures and quality of the data. The presentation of the table and figures was good in liability    Overall, the manuscript is well written. It can be considered directly for publication. However, I had to opt for a minor revision. Since it required a few writing changes for novices.    Comments on the Quality of English Language

Minor editing of English language required

Author Response

Please see the attachment.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

This study aimed to analyze the 5 cardiorespiratory response to distinct workload volumes and ergonomic risk (ER) scores at an automotive assembly line. Sixteen male operators (age=38±8 years; BMI=25±3 kg.m²) volunteered from three workstations (H1, H2 and H3) with specific work cycle duration (1, 3, and 5 minutes respectively). Electrocardiogram (ECG), respiratory inductance plethysmography (RIP) and accelerometer (ACC) data were collected during their shift. The results showed significant differences from the first to the last 10 minutes. The paper is well written and presents good results that deserves publication. Few issues have been detected: the author Hugo Gamboa has not affiliation attached to him; in line 285 there is a mispelling on the term Yeo-Johnson. 

 

 

Comments on the Quality of English Language

The English language seems to be fine, could be some issues for a native speaker.

Author Response

Please see the attachment.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 3 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

1.Provide more details about the methodology used for data collection and analysis. This includes specifics about how electrocardiogram (ECG), respiratory inductance plethysmography (RIP), and accelerometer (ACC) data were collected and processed. This will help readers understand the validity and reliability of the findings.

2.Ensure that all technical terms and abbreviations are defined or explained for readers who may not be familiar with them. This will improve the accessibility of the manuscript to a wider audience.

3.Expand on the significance of the observed differences in cardiorespiratory responses between different workload volumes and ergonomic risk scores. Provide possible explanations or implications for these findings in the context of workplace health and safety.

4.Discuss how the findings of the study could inform workplace practices and policies aimed at reducing cardiovascular risks associated with repetitive tasks. This could include recommendations for ergonomic interventions or modifications to work processes.

5. Offer suggestions for future research directions based on the findings of the current study. This could include investigating other factors that may influence cardiorespiratory responses in the workplace or exploring interventions to mitigate the observed risks.

6.Ensure that statistical significance is properly interpreted and reported. Describe the magnitude of differences in addition to statistical significance to help readers understand the practical implications of the findings.

Author Response

Please see the attachment.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 4 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Occupational hazards in the workplace are an increasing concern, as they can negatively impact the health and safety of workers. Recent studies highlight various risks, such as exposure to toxic chemicals, inadequate ergonomics, occupational stress, and workplace accidents. Prolonged exposure to these risks can lead to a variety of health issues, including musculoskeletal injuries, psychological disorders, and occupational diseases. Prevention and intervention strategies are essential to mitigate these risks and protect workers' health. Implementing safety measures in the workplace, providing proper training, and conducting regular assessments of occupational risks are crucial to ensuring a safe and healthy work environment. Active involvement from employers, workers, and regulatory authorities is necessary to promote safe work practices and effectively reduce occupational hazards.

The Authors investigated the acute cardiorespiratory response of assembly line workers at different work volumes and the association with occupational risk.

The study conclusively demonstrates that the cardiorespiratory response of assembly line workers varies significantly across different workstations with varying work volumes, underlining the critical link between specific physical tasks and their physiological impacts. The findings highlight the following key points:

1. Cardiovascular Stress and Fatigue: Workers at H3 experience significant reductions in heart rate variability (HRV), indicating increased cardiovascular stress and potential fatigue, likely due to the frequent overhead movements required by their tasks.
2. Respiratory Distress: At H1, decreased phase synchrony between thoracic and abdominal movements suggests respiratory distress associated with tasks involving arm movements near the upper body. H2 shows similar distress, with a marked increase in abdominal motion variation and reduced respiratory wall coordination, indicating a mismatch in muscle effort during respiration, likely due to the bending and weight application required by these tasks.
3. Physical Demands and Occupational Risk: The study effectively connects the physical demands of specific tasks at each workstation to the acute physiological responses observed, demonstrating a clear association with occupational risks such as increased fatigue, potential respiratory issues, and cardiovascular strain.
4. Implications for Workplace Health Management: The research supports the implementation of health monitoring systems, such as wearables, which can monitor heart rate and HRV in real-time. These systems can provide critical data that can be used to adjust workloads, rotate tasks, or prompt breaks to manage fatigue and reduce long-term health risks.
5. Preventive Health Measures: By leveraging technology to monitor physiological responses, workplaces can proactively manage worker health, potentially leading to reduced absenteeism, lower turnover, and improved productivity. Alert systems based on HRV and other physiological measures can signal when workers may be experiencing high levels of strain, allowing supervisors to intervene before health issues become severe.
6. Future Research and Policy Development: This study lays the groundwork for future research into more detailed aspects of occupational health, suggesting that factors such as the time of day and the duration of shifts should also be considered. Additionally, the results can help refine occupational health policies and worker training programs to better align with the physiological realities faced by workers on the ground.

In summary, this study underscores the importance of considering the specific physical and physiological demands of different assembly line tasks in managing worker health and productivity. It advocates for an integrated approach that uses physiological monitoring to enhance occupational health and safety practices.

 

Tjhe main point is the physiologic stress can be overcome with a preparing to work? 

Which approaches are can be used to reduce cardiorespiratory impact?

This answers depends of new studies.

 

Overall the study measure a important factors for work activities design.

 

Author Response

Please see the attachment.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf