Search Results (391)

Indoor environmental quality (IEQ) significantly impacts people’s comfort, health, and productivity in buildings, and modern green rating systems are primarily focused on energy efficiency rather than the direct user experience. This paper analyses the relationship between IEQ and the perceived quality of life (QoL) of certified and conventional office buildings in Malaysia using a mixed-methods design. The questionnaires were completed by 162 employees working in four open-plan offices: two were certified under the Green Building Index (GBI) established in Malaysia, and two were traditional. This was supplemented by 14 semi-structured interviews and 2 focus groups. The factors of IEQ were divided into ambient, designed, and behavioral environments. It was statistically determined that behavioral factors, such as visual privacy, personalization, ergonomics, and control, exhibited the strongest correlations with overall QoL, compared to ambient factors such as air quality or thermal comfort. Green buildings performed better in terms of daylighting and esthetics than conventional buildings, though they did not always deliver higher occupant satisfaction. The results indicate that current green certification frameworks pay insufficient attention to occupant-centered aspects. The proposed research adds a validated IEQ-QoL framework that predicts the incorporation of subjective user experience into building performance indicators, which can be important for certification reform, post-occupancy evaluation (POE), and human-centered sustainable design approaches. Full article

Background/Objectives: Low back pain (LBP) is one of the most common musculoskeletal conditions globally and a leading cause of disability. University populations may be particularly vulnerable due to prolonged sitting, academic stress, and frequently suboptimal ergonomics, especially in rapidly expanding higher education systems such as those in Saudi Arabia. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to synthesize evidence on the prevalence of LBP among university attendants in Saudi Arabia and to quantify its associations with key demographic and environmental risk factors. Methods: We systematically reviewed observational studies reporting LBP prevalence and/or risk factors among university students and faculty in Saudi Arabia published in English, following Cochrane methodological guidance and PRISMA 2020 reporting recommendations. The protocol was prospectively registered in PROSPERO (CRD420250654048). We searched PubMed, Embase and CINAHL from inception to February 2025. Two reviewers independently screened studies, extracted data, and assessed risk of bias using the Joanna Briggs Institute checklist for analytical cross-sectional studies. Random effects meta-analyses were used to pool prevalence estimates across recall periods, regions, populations, and measurement tools, and to calculate pooled odds ratios (ORs) for age, sex, smoking, family history of LBP, and college seating conditions. Heterogeneity, subgroup, and sensitivity analyses were undertaken. Results: Thirteen cross-sectional studies were included. The overall pooled prevalence of LBP was 57% (95% confidence interval [CI] approximately 43–71), with substantial heterogeneity. Prevalence varied by recall period, region, population group, and measurement instrument; pooled prevalence was 58% among students and 50% among faculty. Increasing age (OR 1.17, 95% CI 1.01–1.34) and poor college seating conditions (OR 1.42, 95% CI 1.07–1.76) were significantly associated with LBP. Male gender, smoking, and family history showed non-significant pooled effects. These estimates are limited by substantial between-study heterogeneity, variable measurement tools, and exclusively cross-sectional designs, which restrict causal inference. Conclusions: LBP is prevalent among university attendants in Saudi Arabia, affecting both students and faculty. The consistent associations with age and seating ergonomics highlight the need for ergonomic classroom redesign and age-sensitive preventive strategies. Future work should adopt standardized LBP measures and longitudinal designs to clarify causal pathways and evaluate targeted interventions. Funding: This work was supported by the Deanship of Graduate Studies and Scientific Research at Jouf University (grant DGSSR-2026-NF-01-002). Full article

Tactile somatosensory comfort is a critical factor in ergonomics research, particularly in designing assistive robots for geriatric care. Despite its importance, existing studies lack comprehensive comfort models tailored for optimizing system control in such applications. This study addresses this gap by introducing the first derivation of a tactile somatosensory comfort model that integrates Stevens’ law with the energy transfer function, establishing a link between physical stimuli and psychological responses. Through experimental data collection and parameter fitting, a quantitative relationship between comfort and psychological responses was established, facilitating the development of a novel optimal control model. The model parameters were fitted using the Physics-Informed Neural Networks (PINNs) algorithm, while the optimal scrubbing parameters for force (1.68 N) and velocity (36.47 mm/s) were determined via the Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) algorithm. Validation experiments involving 20 participants, which monitored physiological parameters such as heart rate variability (HRV), confirmed the model’s effectiveness in enhancing comfort while ensuring robustness and generalizability. These findings contribute a novel theoretical framework for modelling and applying tactile somatosensory comfort, providing valuable insights for future research and development. Full article

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) among orthopaedic surgeons are associated with sustained, constrained postures during demanding intraoperative tasks. Total hip arthroplasty (THA) comprises sequential steps that may impose different postural loads on both the surgeon and assistant, yet team-level ergonomic design interventions remain underexplored. This study compared ergonomic risk during primary THA performed through the direct lateral (modified Hardinge) and posterolateral (Moore) approaches and assessed a simple workflow redesign: swapping surgeon and assistant positions during acetabular cup preparation (bottom reaming, perimeter reaming, and cup impaction). In a controlled Sawbones-based simulation using standard THA instruments, eight standardised surgical steps were recorded with 360° photographs. Forty-two postural instances (22 for the surgeon, 20 for the assistant) were analysed. Joint angles were measured with Kinovea and converted to Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) scores; intra- and inter-rater reliability (ICC) and minimum detectable change (MDC95) were calculated. Surgeon REBA scores were in the medium-risk range and slightly lower with the posterolateral approach (mean 5.5) than with the direct lateral approach (mean 5.88), whereas assistant scores were in the low-risk range (means 3.43 and 3.29, respectively). The position-swap intervention successfully lowered the surgeon’s REBA action level, most notably during cup impaction, where ergonomic risk dropped from 10 (high risk) to 4 (medium risk) in the posterolateral approach, and from 7 (medium risk) to 3 (low risk) in the direct lateral approach, without increasing assistant risk. These findings provide controlled simulation-based evidence that this simple, zero-cost positional change can reduce the surgeon’s ergonomic action level during THA, although confirmation under real operative conditions is needed before broad generalization. Full article

The rapid advancement of smart agricultural technologies has transformed modern farming practices, enhancing productivity, precision, and sustainability while introducing new ergonomic challenges. This study aimed to evaluate and prioritize ergonomic criteria associated with three major smart agricultural technologies—GPS-guided tractors, agricultural drones, and automatic irrigation systems—within a multi-stakeholder decision-making framework. The Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) was applied to data collected from 53 experts representing four stakeholder groups: academia, operators/farmers, manufacturers, and sectoral organizations. Five ergonomic criteria—physical workload reduction, task duration, user safety, training requirement, and cost/applicability—were analyzed to determine their relative importance. The results indicate that user safety emerged as the most influential ergonomic factor for academia, farmers, and sectoral organizations, highlighting the importance of risk reduction and operator protection in smart farming environments. In contrast, manufacturers prioritized cost and applicability, reflecting economic feasibility considerations in technology development and deployment. These findings demonstrate that ergonomic priorities differ across stakeholder groups and emphasize the need for human-centered design approaches in the development of smart agricultural systems. The proposed multi-stakeholder AHP framework provides a practical and evidence-based decision-support tool for integrating ergonomic considerations into agricultural technology design, implementation, and policy development. Full article

This study investigates the development of workwear designed to withstand harsh conditions and support physically demanding tasks. Its central aim is to create garments that enhance workers’ comfort and mobility by optimizing ergonomic and anthropometric factors. First of all, expert surveys were collected, and the importance of posture adaptability and material comfort was highlighted. To investigate realistic body–garment interactions, the 3D body scans of the upper body from 34 participants in common working poses were captured. These scans revealed the zones of high deformation, guiding the placement of elastic inserts to improve flexibility in targeted areas. The redesigned garments underwent a two-stage evaluation process. First, Clo3D virtual fittings provided qualitative insights into overall jacket fit and movement behavior. Next, stress and strain mapping offered quantitative validation, showing that fabric stress levels remained below 120 kPa, providing evidence that the added elasticity effectively reduced mechanical load and improved wearability. Expert reviewers confirmed the enhanced fit and functional performance. Overall, the study demonstrates an integrated design strategy that unites textile behavior, body dimensions and biomechanics. This approach not only improves workwear but also offers a transferable framework for developing specialized clothing across other physically intensive professions. Full article

Organizations face increasing pressure to reduce their environmental impact while preserving worker health, well-being, and performance. While sustainability research increasingly emphasizes organizational and human dimensions, validated tools assessing how environmental sustainability is integrated into ergonomic practice remain limited. Green ergonomics provides a systemic framework linking human factors and environmental objectives in sustainable work system design. This study aimed to develop and validate the Green Ergonomics Questionnaire (GEQ), a psychometric instrument designed to assess employees’ perceptions of organizational readiness to integrate sustainability into ergonomic practice. The GEQ was developed through a structured literature review, expert evaluation, and empirical validation using data from 412 employees across multiple occupational sectors. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses supported a seven-factor structure including knowledge, training and organizational learning, organizational practices, perceived impacts, obstacles, organizational culture, and employee involvement. Reliability indices indicated satisfactory internal consistency (α = 0.78–0.86; CR = 0.80–0.88), and convergent and discriminant validity were supported. Overall, the GEQ provides a structured framework to assess employees’ perceptions of how environmental sustainability is embedded within ergonomic and participatory work system design processes, contributing to research at the intersection of ergonomics, sustainability management, and organizational change. Full article

Background: Cubital Tunnel Syndrome (CuTS) is the second-most common compressive neuropathy of the upper limb, traditionally associated with prolonged elbow flexion, trauma, or anatomical constraints. With the widespread adoption of smartphones, sustained upper-limb postures have emerged as potential novel risk factors for ulnar nerve compression. This retrospective study aimed to investigate the potential correlation between smartphone use patterns and the development of CuTS. Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted on 100 subjects recruited between 2021 and 2024, including 50 patients with EMG-confirmed CuTS who underwent surgical decompression and 50 matched controls without clinical or electrophysiological evidence of ulnar neuropathy. Demographic variables, daily smartphone use (h/day), predominant activity type, and habitual posture during device handling were collected through clinical records and questionnaires. Group comparisons were performed using t-tests and Chi-square analyses, with significance set at p < 0.05. Results: Daily smartphone use was higher in the CuTS group compared with controls (4.94 ± 1.8 vs. 4.04 ± 1.5 h/day), although the difference did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.0716). Posture during device use showed a significant association with CuTS: 82% of affected patients reported using smartphones with the elbow flexed, compared with 56% of controls, whereas supportive postures were less frequent among CuTS patients (16% vs. 38%) (p = 0.019). No significant differences were found between groups regarding smartphone activity type (p = 0.858). Conclusions: Smartphone use may contribute to ulnar nerve compression primarily through ergonomically disadvantageous postures, particularly sustained elbow flexion, rather than total usage time. These findings highlight a modifiable behavioral risk factor relevant to the rising prevalence of CuTS in the digital era. Increased clinical attention to device-handling habits and public-health strategies promoting ergonomic posture may support CuTS prevention. Prospective and biomechanically informed studies are warranted to further elucidate causal mechanisms. Unmeasured confounders (e.g., occupational and sleep-related elbow flexion) may influence these associations. Full article

Background: Awkward postures are among the most prevalent ergonomic risk factors in occupational environments, including industrial settings. Conventional ergonomic risk assessments rarely address the relationship between sustained awkward postures and alterations in sagittal spinal curvatures. The primary objective of this study was to analyze the association between sagittal spinal posture parameters and exposure to awkward postures in male workers from the mattress manufacturing industry. The potential confounding effects of age, job seniority, body mass index (BMI), and physical activity level were also examined. Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted. Data collected included age, job seniority, anthropometric variables, and physical activity level. Sagittal spinal posture parameters—head alignment, thoracic kyphotic curvature, lumbar lordotic curvature, and pelvic tilt—were assessed using photogrammetry. Exposure to awkward postures was recorded according to occupational health surveillance criteria. Results: A total of 116 male workers were randomly selected. BMI showed a significant negative association with head alignment (p = 0.001), with a medium effect size (η² = 0.090). Lower BMI values (β = −0.517) were observed in association with a more posterior head position. In addition, participants not exposed to awkward postures presented, on average, a 6.479° lower thoracic kyphotic curvature angle compared with exposed workers (p = 0.050), indicating a greater kyphotic curvature among those exposed. Conclusions: In this sample, lower BMI was associated with a more posterior head position and improved alignment with the upper trunk. Furthermore, exposure to awkward postures was related to a modest increase in thoracic kyphotic curvature, suggesting postural adaptations to occupational demands. Full article

In a sentinel health event investigation of a back disorder claim, the vibration exposure and ergonomic function of a modified suspension seat were assessed. Background: In a forensic occupational injury investigation, an aftermarket-altered operator seat in a railroad rail-track tamper machine was evaluated. Methods: Detailed whole-body vibration (WBV) exposure measurements were conducted according to current applicable technical standards and guidelines (i.e., ISO 2631-1:1997) on a 09-16 DYNACAT Continuous Action Tamper with Stabilizer during routine track repair services. The modified Grammer Mfg. suspension operator seat was evaluated for performance and ergonomic features (i.e., adjustability, posture, and suspension quality). Results: The tested seat appeared to underperform and was overloaded with the aftermarket control devices, attachments and modifications. The suspension system’s end-stopper was damaged. The seat system had excessive play and wobbles; it was not firmly braced and attached. The vector sum (a_v) results ranged from 0.26 m/s² (no tamping) to a maximal 0.55 m/s² (tamping). The seat transfer (SEAT) analysis showed magnification of vibration input and variable performance of the suspension depending on operational tasks. Conclusions: The modified suspension seat underperformed and seemed to magnify and worsen the vibration, jolts and shock exposures of the seated operator. The heavy and bulky seat modifications likely limited the suspension function. The malfunctioning seat was more likely than not a contributing factor in the pathogenesis of the spinal disorders of the injured machine operator. Full article

Schoolbags represent a common source of physical strain for school-aged children and may influence posture during critical years of growth. This systematic review synthesizes evidence published since the previous review (1995–2014), which mainly focused on load thresholds and did not consider postural health as a multidimensional outcome. The review protocol was prospectively registered in PROSPERO (CRD420251080328). PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar were systematically searched up to 11 June 2024. Of 1013 screened articles, 12 studies met the inclusion criteria. Schoolbag weight was the most frequently investigated factor, followed by postural and spinal alterations, particularly scoliosis. Excessive loads were consistently associated with trunk inclination, postural asymmetry, lumbar strain, and musculoskeletal discomfort. Several studies reported demographic differences, with girls showing greater susceptibility to postural deviations and boys carrying heavier loads. Compared with earlier evidence, more recent studies employed improved postural assessment methods and broader outcome frameworks incorporating ergonomic and behavioral factors. Despite methodological heterogeneity, findings support limiting schoolbag weight to 10–15% of body weight. This review highlights the importance of integrating ergonomic design, carrying behaviors, and demographic modifiers into school health guidelines and provides practical recommendations for clinicians, educators, and policymakers. Full article

Modern geo-information platforms commonly adopt multi-window map interfaces that integrate heterogeneous data, such as dynamic maps and live camera feeds. These interfaces impose high cognitive load and slow spatial event detection. Operators must rapidly locate the source of visual alarms, a task often leading to delays under high visual workload. To address this challenge, this study investigated whether spatialized auditory cues can improve alarm localization in such complex monitoring interfaces. A controlled experiment with 24 participants used a within-subjects design to test factors of auditory spatial cueing (none, binaural, monaural), display dynamics (dynamic, static), and interface complexity (4, 8, 12 panes). Behavioral and eye-tracking data measured detection accuracy, efficiency, and gaze patterns. Results showed that dynamic displays and high interface complexity impaired performance, indicating increased cognitive load. In contrast, monaural lateralized auditory alarms substantially improved detection efficiency and mitigated visual overload. Interaction analyses revealed that binaural cues reduced the performance costs of dynamic displays, whereas monaural cues compensated for high-density layouts. These findings demonstrate that spatialized auditory alarms effectively support spatiotemporal situational awareness and improve operator performance in high-load geo-surveillance systems. The study offers empirical and practical implications for designing cognitively ergonomic, multimodal interfaces that move beyond purely visual alarm designs. Full article

Background: Lifestyle challenges such as prolonged sitting, irregular dietary habits, high stress levels, and lack of physical activity have become increasingly common among working professionals. All these factors contribute to the risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, obesity, and high blood pressure, which in turn result in reduced work performance and quality of life and may further affect health services access through increase healthcare needs. The teaching environment, like many other work environments, is mentally, emotionally, and practically demanding, and it puts extra pressure on those who work in it. Academicians, who devote themselves to guiding young minds, often make unhealthy daily choices and face significant work-related stress, which can lead to serious long-term health problems. This review highlights that health and well-being are shaped not by a single factor such as diet, work patterns, or habits, but by their combined effect. Methods: A study of around 113 studies has highlighted that academicians usually feel drained and physically exhausted. Result: The factors like prolonged fasts, insufficient water intake, long-standing hours, long and continuous talking, and extended periods in the sitting position have added to their stress levels at the workplace. The most critical finding is that these factors do not affect in isolation but impact as a combined interaction. These issues influence each other, thus increasing the vulnerability to lifestyle disorders. Conclusions: This critical problem can be addressed with a Multimodal Assessment Framework that integrates teachers’ data on dietary habits, workplace ergonomics, sleep quality, and levels of physical activity. The presented work also proposes a statistical technique with an Artificial Intelligence (AI) model, and generates Vulnerability Quotient (VQ) that show lifestyle disease-related exposure of the teachers, which may be further used to provide remedial interventions. These insights can further guide institutions and policymakers to design healthier, supportive, and sustainable teaching environments. Full article

The technologies spread with the phenomenon of Industry 4.0 have changed industrial systems and the role of users. This phenomenon reached its peak with the introduction of Industry 5.0, which emphasises the need to introduce advanced systems for Human-Augmentation. The research presents a systematic review of wearable devices, applied to different contexts, according to the identification of their main functionalities. The aim is to define a reference framework for the different types of wearable devices in order to identify the critical issues and opportunities offered by current wearable device technologies for transfer to production contexts. Starting from the identification of the taxonomy of classification of wearable devices, a framework has been defined that is based on different factors, types of wearable devices, functional attributes and positioning on body parts. The literature review and classification presented how the design of wearable devices is moving towards solutions capable of improving operational efficiency and ensuring safe levels of interaction between operator and technology, with particular attention to ergonomic factors such as usability. This manuscript aims to open a debate regarding the application scenarios, and research challenges associated with the use of wearable devices. Full article

This study presents a quantitative, cross-sectional analysis of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs) among sick leave recipients in Brazil’s meat production chain, using official surveillance data. A marked temporal shift was observed; women remained more affected by upper limb injuries, such as shoulder and wrist disorders. In 2022, male notifications surpassed female ones, marking a turning point linked to improved reporting and the inclusion of WRMSDs in Brazil’s compulsory notification list. Workers aged 20–49 were the most impacted group, with diagnoses including shoulder lesions, tenosynovitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, back pain, and occupational risk exposure. The findings highlight systemic barriers, including underreporting, inadequate protection, and weak return-to-work protocols. Implementing gender-differentiated ergonomic protocols is crucial, as it requires reducing repetitive strain for women in line-feeding/cutting roles, and mitigating environmental hazards (such as cold, vibration, and chemical exposure) for men in farming/slaughtering. These results underscore the urgent need for gender-sensitive preventive strategies and occupational health policies tailored to the meat processing industry. Full article