1.1c Human Factors and Ergonomics - Physiological Factors

What is physiology?

- The branch of biology that deals with the normal functions of living organisms and their parts

How is the collected physiological factor data analysed? What does this allow designers to do?

- The data is analysed carefully against the type of physiological stimuli that was experienced at each time frame --> Allows designers to better understand how mental and physical stress directly affects the physiological and biological functions of humans.

What is comfort and what is fatigue, and why do they occur?

- comfort/discomfort happens when a body is required to spend extended periods of time in a fixed position - fatigue happens when a body is required to perform repetitive, complex or taxing activities for extended periods of time --> occur because of requirements to put excessive stresses on the body

Methods of collecting physiological factor data? (4)

- gathered by subjection to physiological stimuli --> heart rate --> blood pressure --> brain activity --> eye movement

How does data related to comfort and fatigue inform design decisions?

- info in relation to comfort and the design of chairs at airports and McDonald's etc. - data relating to fatigue will allow designers to make decisions that will boost productivity in the workplace

Types of physiological factor data? (5)

- stamina/endurance - hand/eye coordination - visual sensitivity - tolerances to extremes of temperature - frequency and range of human hearing

When looking at biomechanics, it is important to consider... (3)

- the age of the user - how the user will interact with the product --> the size, flexibility and mannerisms of a person may directly affect the biomechanical movement

What does biomechanics involve in relation to design? What does it add to the product? (3)

- understanding the operation of muscles, joints, tendons etc - considering the force that will be put on the body and the affects, after interacting with a product --> allows safer products to be created

What is the definition of comfort?

A person's sense of physical or psychological ease

What is the definition of fatigue?

A person's sense of physical or psychological tiredness

What is physiological factor data?

Human factor data related to physical characteristics --> used to optimise the user's safety, health, comfort and performance.

How does physiological factor data help with fatigue in the workplace?

It aids in understanding and overcoming it

What is biomechanics?

The research and analysis of the mechanics of living organisms

What is biomechanics in relation to human factors and what does it include (4)? (includes glossary definition)

The research and analysis of the mechanics of our human body (operation of our muscles, joints, tendons etc.) --> Includes force (impact on joints), repetition, duration, posture

What does the understanding of complex biomechanics to design products that enable full functionality of body parts allow you to do?

return independence and personal and social well being to an individual