We reported ergonomic practice for the development of a swing chair to induce drowsiness and relaxation. In the process of functional examination and improvement of the chair, we examined not only the chair angles but also the swinging amplitude to enhance the effect of using the chair. The subsequent verification process suggested that drowsiness and relaxation could be induced by adjusting the position and swinging speed of the chair according to an individual’s preference. Finally, the developed swing chair was commercialized and sold, and a survey of its customers confirmed that they were highly satisfied with the product. From these practices, the role and issues of ergonomics will be discussed in terms of developing products that have an impact on the human body and mind.

In recent years, bicycles have gained significant importance as a primary mode of daily transportation in urban areas of Japan. However, child-carrying bicycles present a potential risk of dangerous accidents, particularly due to falls. To address this concern, our study focused on developing a child-carrying bicycle that incorporates a novel method for adjusting the height of the child’s riding position, aiming to reduce the impact during falls. This was achieved by introducing smaller rear wheels and lowering the position of the child seat, while also incorporating a roll cage to ensure the child’s safety. Through experiment and evaluation, our concept demonstrated a higher level of safety for the child when compared to conventional child-carrying bicycles.

The present study aimed to clarify the effects of “shoe-lacing tightness” on gait. Participants included nine males （22.8±1.2 years） and nine females （21.9±1.8 years）, who walked at their normal pace and a fast pace under two shoe-lacing conditions, which differed in lacing tightness （fit and loose）. Walking speed, step length, and step width were measured with a walking posture measurement system, which includes Kinect v2. Gait cycle time, trunk movement, and Harmonic Ratio （HR） were measured and calculated with another system, which uses two inertial sensors placed on the thoracic vertebrae （Th6） and sacrum （S2） of each participant. Two-way repeated-measures MANOVA was conducted for all analysis items, and significant differences were found in the walking task and the shoe-lacing condition. Walking speed, vertical movement of S2, and vertical HR of Th6 under loose-lacing conditions were significantly smaller than those under fit-lacing conditions. Mediolateral movement of Th6 and anteroposterior movement of S2 under loose-lacing conditions were significantly larger than those under fit-lacing conditions. This study clarified that loose-lacing conditions affects gait.

“Workcation,” a combination of “work” and “vacation,” is attracting attention as a way of working that corresponds to a new lifestyle. Workcation combines work and leisure time, in which people work and engage in leisure activities in different environments, such as travel destinations. However, there is little scientific evidence for its effectiveness. This research conducted an experimental study of sports workcation, with the leisure activities of exercise and sports incorporated in work activities, among workers in the Tokyo metropolitan area. The study compared the changes over time in mental health outcomes （K6）, health behavior outcomes （sleeping condition, decisional balance for exercise）, and psychosocial outcomes （work engagement, psychological detachment, psychological safety） between 9 participants in the workcation group and 35 participants in the non-workcation group. The analysis revealed that the workcation participants’ scores significantly improved in some of the health behavior and psychosocial outcomes compared with their non-workcation participants. The results suggest that the workcation scheme may contribute to the health and productivity of workers.

The purpose of this study is to examine appropriate parameters for basic of design education and graphic design beginners to express the intended impressions by referring to Wassily Kandinsky’s concept of “dots/lines/surfaces”. First， the impression expression parameters were investigated and organized from several previous studies including Kandinsky. Twelve figures corresponding of “line” concept and twelve figures adding components of “surface” concept were created using the parameters selected based on the investigation by Russell’s Circumplex Model. The examination has shown the effective in eliciting emotion of figures based on the “line” and “surface” concept of “dots/lines/surfaces”. The result has shown the necessity for improvement of figures based on the “line”. On the other hand，figures adding components of “surface” concept were correctly placed in the four quadrants of Russell’s Circumplex Model.