The Japanese Journal of Ergonomics
Online ISSN : 1884-2844
Print ISSN : 0549-4974
ISSN-L : 0549-4974
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Volume 46, Issue 2
Displaying 1-12 of 12 articles from this issue
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General remarks, Ergo-Design Research Group
Contribution
  • A Survey of Analysis of Stress Reduction using Break Time Yoga Therapy in the Workplace :
    Measuring Stress Levels via Changes in Amylase Activity
    Chieko KATO, Nobuyuki TERADA, Keishin KIMURA, Hiroki KIMURA, Yuzirou I ...
    2010 Volume 46 Issue 2 Pages 95-101
    Published: April 15, 2010
    Released on J-STAGE: April 11, 2011
    DOIhttps://doi.org/10.5100/jje.46.95
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
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    The purpose of this study is to reduce stress in the workplace by using yoga therapy during break time by measuring the level of amylase activity. The effectiveness of yoga therapy differs depending on stress level. By comparing two groups, one group that is just relaxing and another group participating in yoga therapy, we can determine how effective yoga therapy is in reducing stress. Yoga therapy is more effective for people who have a high level of stress. After participating in yoga therapy, people say this gives them a chance to take a break from their work and realize which part of their body and mind feel comfortable or uncomfortable. They realize that their body and mind can be one together.
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  • The Influence of Pressure on a Ball-Bouncing Task
    Yoshifumi TANAKA, Takahiro YAMAMOTO, Hiroshi SEKIYA
    2010 Volume 46 Issue 2 Pages 102-110
    Published: April 15, 2010
    Released on J-STAGE: April 11, 2011
    DOIhttps://doi.org/10.5100/jje.46.102
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    The objective of this study was to investigate changes in kinematics, kinetics, attention, and performance when a continuous motor skill is performed under pressure. Fifteen right-handed university students performed a ball-bouncing task with a table-tennis racket for 5 pre-test trials, 60 acquisition trials, 5 post-test trials, and 1 pressure-test trial. In the pressure-test trial, they were told that they would receive a reward or a punishment contingent on their performance. The result showed that the average increment of heart rate under pressure was about 8 bpm (p<.001). Although the accuracy of the ball-bounce and the gripping force did not change under pressure, three-dimensional analysis of kinematics showed that the variability of cycle (p<.05) and horizontal displacement (p<.05) of the paddle head decreased. Attention to distracters also increased (p<.001), while attention toward the ball-bouncing movement did not. The modest level pressure used in this study produced changes in kinematics toward a strategy with more consistent timing and less displacement of the paddle head.
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  • Effect of Image and Layered Structure on Web Search Performance
    −Evaluation on the Basis of Quantity of Display Information−
    Atsuo MURATA, Rina TAKAHASHI
    2010 Volume 46 Issue 2 Pages 111-126
    Published: April 15, 2010
    Released on J-STAGE: April 11, 2011
    DOIhttps://doi.org/10.5100/jje.46.111
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    Three kinds of quantity of information (perceptual, cognitive, and selective) in Web search task were proposed and defined. The correlation between these quantities of information was examined, and it was also explored how these quantities of information affected the Web search performance. The following three kinds of Web sites were prepared : Web sites with no images (character-based hyperlink), with images (character-based hyperlink with images), and with image-based hyperlinks. For each type of Web site, the quantity of information above was calculated in order to investigate how such quantities were related to the Web search time. It was found that the correlation between cognitive and selective quantity of information was high irrespective of the existence of images. In other words, the quantity of explanatory information corresponding to cognitive quantity of information had a higher correlation with the number of links (selective quantity of information). The perceptual quantity of information had a lower and non-significant correlation with the cognitive or the selective quantity of information, which meant that the perceptual quantity of information did not depend on the number of links or the quantity of explanatory texts.
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  • Evaluation Function of Openability Relative to Optimum Opening Diameter of Aluminum Beverage Bottles
    Takanori CHIHARA, Satoshi HIROHATA, Koetsu YAMAZAKI
    2010 Volume 46 Issue 2 Pages 127-135
    Published: April 15, 2010
    Released on J-STAGE: April 11, 2011
    DOIhttps://doi.org/10.5100/jje.46.127
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    The present paper defines an evaluation function of openability so as to evaluate opening ease of aluminum beverage bottles and specify the rigorous dimension of cap diameter that is best suited for consumers' satisfaction. The evaluation function is defined as the ratio between the maximum torques that consumers can apply and the required torque for opening. In addition, the cap diameter is the only design variable, and the thumb length, which associates with the maximum gripping force, is selected as the state variable in order to consider individual differences. Moreover, the function is formulated considering the uncertainty of opening actions of consumers. The function is composed by using the data obtained from the measurement of the maximum gripping force, the thumb length, and the opening actions, and then the function is optimized. The thumb length associates with the maximum gripping force, and also affects the optimum opening diameter. The optimum opening diameter changes from 28 to 35 mm with the increase of the thumb length. From viewpoint of universal design, the optimum of weakest participant (28 mm) is the adequate design solution in this participant group.
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  • Development of Synchronized Double-Board Desk Suited for Multi Office Work
    Takuya TAKAHASHI, Nobutoshi YAMAZAKI
    2010 Volume 46 Issue 2 Pages 136-143
    Published: April 15, 2010
    Released on J-STAGE: April 11, 2011
    DOIhttps://doi.org/10.5100/jje.46.136
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    Writing by hand and reading papers are still popular tasks in computerized recent offices. Suitable computer equipment layout and desk condition for these work were proposed from experimental study. The condition to reduce physical burden during PC (Personal Computer) work is as follows : the armrest and keyboard declining angles are 3° and 10° respectively, and the height from seat surface to keyboard front edge is 180∼260 mm. By adjusting the display distance, burden of the neck was reduced during typing and data analysis tasks. While writing, the desk height must be 60∼80 mm higher than PC task condition, and inclining the desk angle 10° improves visibility and reduces arm burden. To achieve both PC and writing tasks in a single desk, the synchronized double-board desk was developed. This desk can reduce muscular burden of neck and shoulders, by avoiding forward lean of neck and rise of shoulders.
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  • Some Characterizations of Event Related Potentials by Reconstructing the Distribution of the Potentials
    Mariko FUNADA, Miki SHIBUKAWA, Yoshihide IGARASHI, Tadashi FUNADA, Sat ...
    2010 Volume 46 Issue 2 Pages 144-156
    Published: April 15, 2010
    Released on J-STAGE: April 11, 2011
    DOIhttps://doi.org/10.5100/jje.46.144
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    Event Related Potentials (ERPs) are obtained by averaging Electroencephalograms (EEGs) measured on the scalp. That is, ERPs are derived from EEGs by the average method. This paper is to clarify the characteristics of ERPs by a reconstruction method. The data measured at regular intervals after the stimulus show a distribution. The data on the distribution are decomposed into various parts. Reconstructing these decomposed parts, the measured ERPs are clearly characterized. This reconstruction method is useful to obtain important information from experimental data.
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  • Effect of Use and Type of Assistive Devices and Posture while Using Them on the Low Back Load in Transferring Tasks
    Junji KATSUHIRA, Saki TOMITA, Tatsuya HARAGUCHI, Saki HARADA, Etsuko I ...
    2010 Volume 46 Issue 2 Pages 157-165
    Published: April 15, 2010
    Released on J-STAGE: April 11, 2011
    DOIhttps://doi.org/10.5100/jje.46.157
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    The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of use of assistive devices, type of them which were a transfer board and sliding seat, and posture while using them on the low back load by measuring of the low back compression and share force obtained by three dimensional dynamic biomechanical analyses. Of the ten healthy subjects participating in this study, nine adopted role of caregiver and one was a simulated patient. Five tasks were conducted; transferring from a bed to a wheelchair without any assistive devices, transferring using a transfer board and a sliding seat with standing posture, and transferring using them with kneeling posture. As the results, use of assistive devices significantly decreased the low back compression and share force. Use of assistive devices with kneeling posture caused smaller low back compression and share force than these while using them with standing posture. Same effects were obtained while using both assistive devices.
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  • Developing a Computational Model to Predict Infant Behavior Elicited by Environmental Factors
    Koji NOMORI, Yoshifumi NISHIDA, Yoichi MOTOMURA, Tatsuhiro YAMANAKA, A ...
    2010 Volume 46 Issue 2 Pages 166-171
    Published: April 15, 2010
    Released on J-STAGE: April 11, 2011
    DOIhttps://doi.org/10.5100/jje.46.166
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    In this paper, to prevent infant injuries by controlling environmental factors, a computational model of predicting infant behavior from environment is developed. As a subject of the modeling, infant climbing behaviors that accompany fall injuries are focused. Based on observed behavior data, the probabilistic causal relationships among object attributes, infant characteristics, and climbing behaviors were modeled as the Bayesian Network Model. Infant climbing behaviors correlated with the height and surface area of the top face of the objects and the height of the infants. It was demonstrated that infant climbing behaviors could be predicted by the object attributes and be controlled by changing object designs. Behavior models developed by this modeling approach could be useful in preventing infant injuries by evaluating environmental conditions eliciting infant behaviors and by modifying the environments so that infant behaviors leading to injuries would be controlled.
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  • Study on Tracks and Sense of Feet Position while Stepping Over an Obstacle in the Elderly
    Seiji SAITO, Satoshi MURAKI
    2010 Volume 46 Issue 2 Pages 172-179
    Published: April 15, 2010
    Released on J-STAGE: April 11, 2011
    DOIhttps://doi.org/10.5100/jje.46.172
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    The present study investigated the characteristics of foot trajectory pattern while stepping over an obstacle as well as the perception of foot position in the elderly in order to obtain useful findings applicable to physical training to prevent falls. Twenty older and twenty young subjects raised each foot to a specified height (Task 1) and stepped over obstacles with three different heights, 0.5, 4, and 9 cm, starting from 15 cm away (Task 2). Foot lifting was measured using magnetic sensors attached to the toe of each foot, and perceived foot height was assessed after each action. The gap between the actual and perceived elevation of the feet was greater in the elderly. The variation in maximum foot height was greater in the elderly. Furthermore, the highest point of the trailing foot while stepping over an obstacle was lower in the elderly. These findings suggest that perceptions of both the foot position during elevation of the lower extremities decline and the height of the trailing foot while stepping over an obstacle decrease with aging. Accordingly, it is necessary to recognize the difficulty for the elderly to detect the height of the foot and the height of the trailing foot decrease due to aging.
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